As part of implementing the College of the Environment’s strategic plan, the Dean’s office is offering seed grants to help launch new cross-college collaborations that address Goal 2: Catalyze understanding of and solutions to environmental challenges through a systems-based approach. Proposals to work directly on solutions are encouraged, as are proposals that consider the basic functioning of an environmental challenge—an essential foundation for scientifically robust solutions. This includes basic research.
Topics
The College anticipates awarding two to four seed grants during the Fall 2024 to facilitate new cross-unit collaborations. All areas of research are welcome that include a systems approach. Potential topic areas include integration of different data types to address new questions, application of tools, approaches and/or instrumentation developed in one discipline to address new questions in a different discipline, policy implications of emerging changes in the earth system, etc.
Grant details and eligibility
Seed grants are of 1-year duration and will range in amount from $50,000 to $100,000. Seed grant applications must include two (or more) faculty/researchers/staff from different units within the College of the Environment. The opportunity is open to all members of the College community with long-term PI-status. While postdocs and students can be supported through the seed money, the PIs must be in permanent positions within the College of the Environment. Applicants should not have received previous collaborative funding together.
Submitting a Grant
Required application components (maximum length of 2 pages):
- Description of the question addressed and how/why the proposed collaboration is necessary to address the question
- Description of how the seed grant could catalyze a future larger project and potential future funding source
- Budget justification (not included in page limitation)
Recipients of seed grants will be required to present their findings at a Fall 2025 College gathering.
Proposals are due on October 7th and should be sent to Everett Abegg ([email protected]) with a cc to the Associate Dean for Research, Ginger Armbrust ([email protected]).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should the budget include overhead (F&A)?
A: No. These are internal funds, so overhead is not required.
Q: Do the proposals/budgets need to be routed through OSP?
A: No. Instead, proposals can be directly submitted via email to Everett Abegg ([email protected]) with a cc to Associate Dean for Research, Ginger Armbrust ([email protected]).
Q: Is tuition waived for these grants?
A: No. The seed grants will be funded through gift funds, so tuition is not waived.
Q: Can I request funds for a collaborator that is not in the College of the Environment?
A: No. Although you are welcome to collaborate with those outside the College, any requested salary support in the proposed seed grants should support university employees with a paid appointment or employment within the College of the Environment or students enrolled in one of the College’s undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Q: What is the latest start date a project can begin?
A: The latest start date for this round of seed grants is December 31, 2024. All seed grants are for one year and PIs will be expected to present a summary of their work to date at a college-wide event in Fall 2025. Please note, it is unlikely that no-cost extensions will be granted, so be sure to plan your activities (and budget) to be completed in one year.
