Faculty Seed Grants Program
The University of Arizona Foundation and the Office of the Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies, and Economic Development continue to support the Faculty Seed Grants Program (FSG) -- formerly known as Faculty Small Grants Program. Awards of up to $10,000 are made on a competitive basis for projects involving research or other creative scholarly activity. The Program is intended to provide short-term, one-time support that will "jump start" worthwhile projects and result in data or work products that can be used in developing major proposals for submission to extramural funding agencies or private contributors. Individuals holding faculty rank, who have an appointment in the research scientist series of titles, or who have a continuing or continuing-eligible status are eligible to apply; however, the Faculty Seed Grants Program gives highest priority to junior-level individuals in those categories.
The deadline for submitting a proposal to the 2009-2010 round of the Faculty Seed Grants Program is 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2010. If you have questions, please contact Linda Nultemeier at 621-3512 or lindan@email.arizona.edu.
Timeline: Applications, both online and hard copy portions, are due in the Office of the Vice President for Research by 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2010.
Review Period: The review period is spring 2010. Applicants will learn of results of their proposals in late spring -- most likely May 2010. Funds are transferred during June 2010. Projects may begin as soon as funds are transferred. Projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2011.
Review process: Proposals will undergo a review by panels of peers. Top-ranked proposals will subsequently be sent to the UA Foundation for a final review by the Grants and Awards Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees votes on the final selections.
Publicity and reporting: Applicants with funded projects will be asked to coordinate all publicity through the UA Foundation's Office of Communications and may be asked to provide an interview, photos, and other materials to assist with publicity. Applicants will also be asked to provide an impact report after the project ends.
More Information
This program has a sister program called the Community Connection Grants program, also funded by the UA Foundation. While the application process for each is similar, they differ in their objectives. A comparison of the two programs and further information are provided below. Note the information on workshops for applicants too.
How do the two programs compare?
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Faculty Seed Grant |
Community Connection Grants |
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Purpose |
To "jump start" worthwhile research and creative scholarly activities, leading to proposals for external funding. |
To highlight and celebrate exemplary, innovative campus-community connections. |
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Type of activity |
Research and other creative scholarly activity. |
Outreach efforts to a specific community. |
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Eligibility |
Individuals holding faculty rank, who have an appointment nin a research scientist series of titles, or who have a continuing or continuing-eligible status; however, highest priority is given to junior-level individuals in those categories. |
Any UA faculty or staff member who plays a key role in the proposed University-led activity. |
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Request range |
Up to $10,000 |
Up to $10,000 |
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Review Process |
Peer review panels rank proposals; final selections made by a lay committee of The University of Arizona Foundation board. |
Review panels including both UA experts and community volunteers rank proposals; final selections made by a lay committee of The University of Arizona board. |
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Timeline |
Proposals due January 15, 2010. Applicants learn of decisions spring 2010. Projects can begin as of approximately mid-June 2010 |
Proposals due January 15, 2010. Applicants learn of decisions spring 2010. Projects can begin as of mid-June 2010 |
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Sample proposal topics |
A new line of research Producing an independent film |
Hosting unique international conference at UA Bringing UA art students into local classrooms |
Is it possible to apply to both?
Yes. However, please review the guidelines carefully, as the programs have distinct purposes. If you are eligible for both awards, you will need to apply for funding for different projects or different aspects of a project, such as a research component (Faculty Seed Grants) and an outreach component (Community Connection Grants).
How do I apply?
Read the instructions for the program closely (see top left for link). The online application link is also found there. Applications are not interchangeable - you must apply via the appropriate link for either program. Proposals must be submitted online by the deadline of 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2010. In addition, a hard copy of the cover (abstract) page and budget pages (signed off by the Investigator, the Department Head, and the Dean) must be received by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Administration 601, by that same deadline. Submit hard copy of only the signed cover/budget pages, not the proposal or your CV (which will be online).
What is the review process?
- Faculty Seed Grant proposals will undergo scientific review by peers from related disciplines.
- Community Connection Grant proposals will undergo review for quality, impact, and innovation by panels of peers and community members.
- Top-ranked proposals in both programs will subsequently be sent to the University of Arizona Foundation for a final review by the Grants and Awards Committee of The University of Arizona Foundation Board of Trustees.
- The University of Arizona Foundation Board of Trustees votes on the final selections.
Two sessions of a joint workshop will be offered on the process for preparing a Faculty Small Grants Program proposal and a Community Connection Grants proposal. The workshop will be offered Wednesday, December 9 from 9:00 to 10:30 and Friday, December 11 from 3:30 to 5:00 in Room 102 of the Vine Avenue Annex, 1125 N. Vine. The same information will be presented at both workshops so please register for only one workshop as seating is limited. To register, contact Connie Garcia at 626-0631 or csgarcia@vpr.arizona.edu. For additional information on either the Faculty Seed Grants Program or the Community Connection Grants Program, contact Linda Nultemeier at 621-3512 or lindan@email.arizona.edu.
A PDF of the workshop slides may be found here.