Description

The goal of the Internal Seed Grant Fund is to support faculty in: (a) developing multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborative efforts leading to sustainable research and scholarship; (b) generating preliminary results, innovative ideas and high-quality scholarship or creative works that grow UMass Lowell’s research portfolio and capacity. These inquiries can include knowledge making in any area, including creative endeavors, pedagogy and inclusive excellence.

Anticipated Funding Amount

The Office of Research Development (ORD) typically plans to award up to five (5) collaborative projects at up to $15,000 each. Funds are awarded for a two-year period.

Proposal Deadline

The deadline for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) proposals has passed.

Check back for details regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) cycle.

Eligibility

  • Only UMass Lowell tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible to serve as lead principal investigator (PI). Non-tenure track faculty, such as adjunct faculty, are only eligible to participate as Co-PI.
  • Lead principal investigators (PIs) can only hold one award sponsored by the Office of Research Development at a time. An exception will be made for PIs seeking bridge funding to continue research from a disrupted federal grant; we may award funding even if the PI currently holds an ORD-sponsored award.
  • If the lead PI currently holds an ORD-sponsored award, they may only submit a new proposal as lead PI for awards with project periods that do not overlap with the project period of their current award including any extensions. An exception will be granted for those applying for bridge funding to continue research from a disrupted federal grant. 
  • An individual faculty member may serve as the lead PI on one proposal. They may participate as co-PI, collaborator, or other role on one additional proposal. No faculty may participate in more than two proposals in any capacity.

Guidelines

  • Funds are awarded for a two-year period. Funds will be disbursed by July 1, following the award notification.
  • Funds must not be used for summer salary or other additional compensation for faculty.
  • Funds must not be used to fund Research Assistants/tuition waivers (funds may support student hourly wages).
  • ORD internal funding is not intended to support and sustain annual programming over time. Applicants should consider long-term sustainability plans as appropriate.

General Timeline

  • January – Announcement of call for proposals
  • March – Proposal deadline
  • April / May - Proposal review
  • June 1 – Notification of decision to applicants
  • July 1 – Disbursement of funds