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Welcome to the
Seed Funding Program

Ignite Innovation. Foster Collaboration. Transform Communities.

Funding for Collaboration, Research, and Scholarship in the Arts, Humanities, and Natural & Social Sciences

Portal opens: January 8, 2025 | Deadline to Apply: March 19, 2025

Seed Funding

About the Program

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of Research and Innovation proudly presents the Seed Funding Program—an initiative designed to encourage groundbreaking scholarly projects and collaborative research across all CAS disciplines. Our mission is to support creative and bold ideas that not only push boundaries but also yield tangible benefits for our communities and society at large.

Program Goals

We are committed to identifying and investing in approaches that

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Pioneer New Ideas

Drive artistic, humanistic, and scientific discoveries

Stimulate Novel Research

Generate realistic solutions to today’s most pressing challenges

Foster Transformational Change

Promote societal progress through innovative scholarship

Funding Priorities

We invite proposals that focus on

  • Community Transformation: Projects that positively impact the lives of North Carolinians and global populations.
  • Innovative Research Trends: Initiatives that address emerging areas of scholarship.
  • Graduate and Postdoctoral Support: Projects that include funding for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Efforts that build cross-campus relationships and enhance collaborative research.

Who Can Apply?

This program welcomes applications from all faculty and researchers within the CAS, including:

  • Early, mid-career, and senior faculty or researchers.
  • Full-time (fixed term, tenure, or tenure-track) faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill.
  • Primary appointment must be within the College of Arts and Sciences

Proposals may be submitted individually or as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Important Dates

  • Portal Opens: January 8, 2025
  • Application Deadline: March 19, 2025, by 11:59 PM
  • Award Notification: Late April – Early May 2025

Award Information

  • Funding Amount: Up to $25,000 (dependent on request and available funds)
  • Performance Period: Up to one (1) year
  • Award Timeline: Funds must be utilized within 12 months from the award date, beginning July 1, 2025.

Materials

Full program information and required submission elements can be found in the program guidelines.

Downloads

Apply Now

Opens January 8, 2025

To qualify for funding, applicants must submit a completed application by the deadline. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email to acknowledge receipt. Please ensure that your application includes all required components, as incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Note that no extensions will be granted, and any supplemental materials submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Questions?

Contact the Research and Innovation Team at casseedfunding@unc.edu.