Faculty Research Support Program: Seed Funding

The Seed Grant program supports new, innovative research or creative activity projects that are sustainable through external funding. Seed Grant awardees are required to submit proposals for external funding based on their Seed Grant awarded research project within three years of the award letter date.

• Project funding may not exceed $50,000.
• Projects will be limited to one year in duration. The project period begins on the date of the award letter.
• An investigator may not serve as PI or Co-PI on more than one Seed Grant application in each round.
• Applications for a second Seed Grant for the same project or research will not be accepted.
• Previous Seed Grant awardees are ineligible to receive an additional Seed Grant award unless they have met the post-award requirements in their prior award letter.
• Submission of a revised previously unfunded Seed proposal must include your previous rejection letter with the reviewers’ comments and your response to those comments. See instructions in the Appendix section.
• Proposals focused on the development of teaching or academic programs are not eligible.
• Priority will be given to applicants with little to no remaining start-up funds.
• Letters of support from the Department Chair, consultants and collaborators are required.
• If awarded, no funds will be transferred without applicable IRB, IACUC, IBC or Research Security/Export Control approvals.

Allowable budget items:

• IU research assistants, statisticians, project/lab staff, postdocs, students
• Investigators on a 10-month appointment may request one month of summer salary
• Non-IU consultants with justification
• Data collection, analysis, surveys, study incentives
• Equipment, supplies, lab animals, fees, lab services
• Travel expenses associated with field work

Non-allowable budget items:

• Course release
• Publication costs
• IU consultants
• Conference attendance and presentations