Seed Grant Program Overview and Guidelines

The Seed Grant Program is designed to support innovative projects and research initiatives.

Eligible applicants include academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies.

Awards typically range from $50,000 to $200,000, providing sufficient funding for seed grants.

Funded projects often focus on technology development, product commercialization, and entrepreneurship.

The program aims to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among grantees and other stakeholders.

To be eligible for a seed grant, you'll need to meet some specific criteria. At least one of the project's principal investigators must be a scholar in the humanities and/or the interpretative social sciences.

The project must be in its start-up or prototyping phase of development. This means you're just getting started with your idea and need some funding to take it to the next level.

You'll also need to make your project as widely available as possible, ideally with a liberal open-source and Creative Commons license. This will help your work reach a wider audience and make a bigger impact.

To administer the awarded grant funds, an institution of higher education in the United States must be involved. This ensures that the funds are being used for their intended purpose.

If you're applying for a seed grant, here are the eligibility requirements to keep in mind:

The application cycle for the 2025-26 Research Seed Grant is currently open. You can apply now and take advantage of this funding opportunity. The application deadline is January 24, 2025.

There are numerous grants available for nonprofits in the United States, with over 6,000+ seed grants offered by private foundations and corporations.

You can apply for grants like the Rett Syndrome Innovation Awards, which fund projects up to $300,000 total for two years.

Some grants have specific deadlines, such as the Rett Syndrome Innovation Awards, which has a submission deadline of August 30, 2024, and a notification of award decision in November 2024.

Here are some key facts about grants and funding:

PCC: Opportunity Grants are designed to support projects that promote civic engagement and community development.

PCC Opportunity Grants provide funding up to $10,000 for projects that meet specific criteria.

The grants are intended to support projects that have a clear plan for engaging the community and promoting civic participation.

Community-based projects that focus on education, arts, and culture are also eligible for funding.

Award Amounts can vary greatly depending on the grant and the organization offering it. Some grants, like the Rett Syndrome Innovation Awards, fund projects up to $300,000 over two years.

The Rett Syndrome Innovation Awards fund projects up to $300,000 total for two years (up to $150,000 per year).

Other grants, such as the award mentioned in Example 4, provide a fixed amount of $75,000.

Some grants, like the one in Example 5, fund projects up to $100,000 per award.

The submission deadline for a seed grant is August 30, 2024. This is a crucial date to keep in mind if you're planning to apply.

The award amount for a seed grant can range from $75,000 to $100,000, depending on the program. For example, the CRC Seed Grant program provides up to $100,000 per award, while another program offers $75,000.

You have the flexibility to choose the award period for your project, up to 24 months from the stated Award Period start date. This allows you to plan your project timeline accordingly.

Here's a summary of the key dates for a seed grant:

The award information is crucial to understanding the terms and conditions of the grant. The submission deadline for the award is August 30, 2024.

You'll want to mark your calendars for the notification of award decision, which is scheduled for November 2024. This is when you'll find out whether your proposal has been approved or denied.

The earliest start date for the award is also November 2024, so be prepared to begin your project as soon as possible. The duration of the award is 1 year, but you may be able to request a no-cost extension of 1 year if needed.

The award amount is $75,000, but keep in mind that no indirect costs are provided, and salary support for mentors cannot be requested. Here are the signature events associated with the award:

If you're considering applying for a different type of award, such as the Seed Grant, you'll need to be aware of the award amount, which can be up to $100,000 per award.

Apf is a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence, with a focus on developing innovative solutions that transform industries.

Their vision is to create a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Apf's team of experts is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI, exploring new frontiers and developing cutting-edge technologies.

Their commitment to excellence and innovation has earned them numerous awards and recognition in the industry.

Apf's work has the potential to revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with each other, making the world a better place for all.

To apply for a seed grant, you'll need to submit your application through the online submission portal. All sections must be completed, and if you need to make changes, contact the Internal Funding Program Manager.

The proposal submission process involves several steps, including obtaining approvals from selected Directors, Chairs, and Deans. They have 24 hours after the proposal deadline to electronically approve applications, and submissions without necessary approvals will be disqualified.

You can grant access to staff members in your department to assist with the application by adding a "proposal contact." This is especially helpful if you're short on time or need extra support.

Intriguing read: System Administrator Grant Users Access

Here's a summary of the proposal submission process:

To submit a proposal, applicants must complete the application using the online submission portal and ensure all sections are filled out.

It's a good idea to provide sufficient time for electronic approvals prior to the proposal deadline, as Directors, Chairs, and Deans have 24 hours after the deadline to electronically approve applications.

If you need assistance with completing the forms, you can grant access to a staff member from your department by adding a "proposal contact" to your application.

Any staff who will be assisting with the administration of the award, if granted, should also be added as a proposal contact.

Note: If you make changes to your application after submitting it, contact the Internal Funding Program Manager.

Now that we've got the basics covered, let's talk about the application cycle open for the Research Seed Grant. The application cycle is currently open for the 2025-26 Research Seed Grant, so mark your calendars for the deadline on January 24, 2025.

If you're planning to apply, make sure to submit your application by the deadline to be considered.

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The proposal review process is an important step in the application and review process. Proposals are reviewed by a panel of experts, including members of the Hirshberg Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and outside reviewers as needed.

The review process involves ranking proposals based on their scientific merit scores and the programmatic priorities of the Foundation. Unfortunately, formal reviews or feedback will not be provided to the applicants.

The Seed review subcommittee at FSU evaluates proposals within four review sections: STEM, Social Sciences, Arts + Humanities, and Health/Clinical Sciences. Reviewers use the Seed Reviewer Guidelines for scoring the proposal.

As part of the evaluation, reviewers take note of external proposals submitted by the PI and Co-PI(s) as a result of previously awarded CRC funds. Each reviewer provides written feedback, which will be shared with the PI, but their identification will not be released to the applicants.

The CRC makes final funding decisions based on the funding allocated to the program, the number of proposals received, and merit scores of each proposal.

Reporting and Return of Funds is a crucial aspect of the Seed Grant program. Award recipients must submit a final report within 3 months of the completion of the grant.

You'll need to notify the Internal Funding Program Manager if you receive similar funding from another source, so be sure to keep them informed.

In the event of leaving the University before the end of the award period, you'll need to return the award funds to the CRC. The same applies if you receive CRC funds during a sabbatical and leave the University during the following year.

Here's a quick rundown of the return of funds process:

Award recipients will be required to submit a final report within 3 months of the completion of the grant. This is a crucial step in the process, as it allows the grantor to assess the impact and effectiveness of the funded project.

You'll need to submit your final report within a tight timeframe, so be sure to plan ahead and leave some buffer time for any unexpected delays.

If you receive a Seed award, you'll need to notify the Internal Funding Program Manager if you've also been awarded similar funding from another source.

Notifying the Internal Funding Program Manager is crucial, as it helps ensure that you're not duplicating efforts or resources.

You must return the award funds to the CRC if you leave the University involuntarily or voluntarily before the end of the award period.

The Dean or Department Chair must notify the Internal Funding Program Manager in this situation.

If you receive CRC funds during a sabbatical, you'll be asked to repay those funds if you leave the University during the year following the award.

This is a standard requirement to ensure that CRC funds are used effectively.

The balance of any remaining award funds will be returned to the CRC general fund at the conclusion of the award period.

The American Psychological Foundation Inc (APF) offers Visionary Grants to support research, education, and intervention projects that address social problems in various priority areas. These grants aim to seed innovation and improve people's lives.

The APF Visionary Grants focus on five priority areas: applying psychology to at-risk populations, preventing violence, understanding the connection between behavior and health, eliminating stigma and prejudice, and furthering racial equity. Specifically, the APF is requesting funds to support a 2024 Visionary Grant focused on furthering racial equity.

The Curtiss & Mary Brennan Foundation provides funding support for archaeological field research, emphasizing excavation and post-excavation analysis. Their grants are viewed as seed money, catalyzing significant archaeological projects to initiate or expand work.

The Alfred P Sloan Foundation offers grants to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and partnerships between MSIs and graduate programs nationwide. Their Creating Equitable Pathways to STEM Graduate Education initiative aims to model effective systems and practices that remove barriers and create opportunities for equitable learning environments in STEM graduate education.

Here are some key organizations and their focus areas:

The Curtiss T. & Mary G. Brennan Foundation views its grants as seed money, enabling significant archaeological projects to initiate or expand work. They prioritize projects that increase understanding of early cultural complexity and civilization in a particular region.

Seed grants, such as those offered by the Alfred P Sloan Foundation, support work between two or more institutions, including MSIs, to build upon or formalize established partnerships. These projects should include a plan to assess the viability and effectiveness of pilot activities.