The Office of Research and Innovation funds many seed grant initiatives. While each program is designed to support different opportunities, they all share the goal of growing the quality and quantity of research at UT Dallas. Below you will find brief summaries of each seed program. Follow the links for full program details including eligibility requirements and expenditure guidelines. For further information, please contact Emily Lacy.
View the Internal Funding Webinar to learn details about each program.
View Previous Seed Grant Winners
AHT/STEM Collaboration Grant
The UT Dallas AHT/STEM Collaboration Grant is an internal funding mechanism designed to stimulate interdisciplinary research collaborations between AHT and STEM faculty. Principal investigators (PIs) who accept a UT Dallas AHT/STEM Collaboration Grant commit to the pursuit of external funding for the collaborative effort within 12 months of receiving the AHT/STEM Collaboration Grant funding. Activities that are not eligible for support through this mechanism include consulting, dissertation completion, research/analysis pertaining to the operation of UT Dallas, course release, and curriculum development.
Office of Research and Innovation (OoRI) Reviewer
The Office of Research and Innovation (OoRI) seeks reviewers to serve a one-year term – beginning January 2024 – as a reviewer of internal funding and limited submission competitions. Selected reviewers will assess internal OoRI applicants and provide a numerical ranking based on pre-determined criteria using the OAR portal. Limited submission competitions are held throughout the year and are dependent on agency funding opportunities. Internal funding programs are reviewed primarily in spring, with some programs offered year-round.
JSOM/STEAM Collaboration Grant
The UT Dallas JSOM/STEAM Collaboration Grant is an internal funding mechanism designed to stimulate interdisciplinary research collaborations between JSOM and STEM faculty. Principal investigators (PIs) who accept a UT Dallas JSOM/STEAM Collaboration Grant commit to the pursuit of external funding for the collaborative effort within 12 months of receiving the JSOM/STEAM Collaboration Grant funding. Activities that are not eligible for support through this mechanism include consulting, dissertation completion, research/analysis pertaining to the operation of UT Dallas, course release, and curriculum development.
SPARK Grant
The UT Dallas SPARK Grant is an internal funding mechanism designed to provide research and professional development support to establish the research portfolio of Associate and Full Professors that have not received external funding in the past 24+ months. This program is designed to spark both internal and external collaborations, gain new training, obtain preliminary data or pursue new research directions. The goal of the seed grant is to provide preliminary results and establish credibility in a new research area that will attract high-impact research funding from the state and federal government, industry, or foundations.
New Faculty Research Symposium Grant
The UT Dallas New Faculty Research Symposium Grant is an internal funding mechanism designed to stimulate interdisciplinary research collaborations between newly hired (start date after January 2023) UT Dallas faculty and established (those hired prior to January 2023) UT Dallas faculty. Successful proposals will include at least two faculty members serving as PIs from different UT Dallas departments, programs, or schools. PIs who accept a UT Dallas New Faculty Research Symposium Grant commit to the pursuit of external funding for the collaborative effort within 12 months of receiving the New Faculty Research Symposium Grant funding.
Humanities and Emerging Arts (HEArts) Grant
The UT Dallas Humanities and Emerging Arts (HEArts) Grant Competition is an internal funding mechanism designed to promote scholarly activities in the form of research, outreach, and/or creative activities in all disciplines that will result in publications, recognition, awards, or exhibitions/performances. This program is well-suited to support the endeavors of those faculty with school affiliations that are outside of STEM.
Social Sciences Grant
The UT Dallas Social Sciences Grant program is an internal funding mechanism designed to collect preliminary data that will lead to external funding. This program is well-suited to support the endeavors of those faculty from the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, although there is no explicit limitation for faculty affiliations.
Proposal Resubmission Enhancement Program (PREP)
The UT Dallas Proposal Resubmission Enhancement Program (PREP) is an internal funding mechanism designed to assist faculty who have received positive reviews of their grant application from federal agencies and are close to the pay line but are not yet funded. PREP is intended to provide funds to address limitations or issues identified by a peer-review panel with the requirement of resubmission to a federal agency. PREP is not intended to be used in place of start-up funds, to initiate an entirely new research endeavor, or to fund research that has not been evaluated by a federal funding agency.
Seed Program for Interdisciplinary Research (SPIRe)
The UT Dallas Seed Program for Interdisciplinary Research (SPIRe) program is an internal funding mechanism designed to stimulate interdisciplinary research collaborations that will lead to external funding. Successful proposals will include faculty members serving as PIs from different UT Dallas departments, programs or schools. This program is well-suited to support the endeavors of those faculty with STEM backgrounds and project interests, although there is no limitation for faculty affiliations.
R.O.A.D. to D.C. Program
he R.O.A.D. to D.C. initiative was created by the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) to provide faculty the platform to build and cultivate relationships with program managers from agencies such as National Institute of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and other D.C. area agencies in an effort to enhance research funding.
Workshop Grant Competition
Workshops offer an opportunity for scientists, engineers, and scholars from within and outside of UT Dallas to gather and discuss significant research opportunities, issues related to problems of national significance, or emerging areas of science and technology. The Office of Research and Innovation seeks proposals for workshops that are hosted at UT Dallas and led by UT Dallas faculty. It is expected that the workshop will bring together recognized leaders from across the United States and/or abroad to engage with UT Dallas faculty and students. Any research topic can be the focus of the workshop.
Grant Proposal Editing/Writing Resources
The Office of Research and Innovation offers grant proposal editing/writing resources to help prepare competitive proposals. The Grant Writer resources will assist faculty in the development of small and large proposals across multiple agencies. The Office of Research and Innovation will cover the expenses associated with editor support.
We have a variety of Grant Proposal editors available with a track record of success in supporting faculty from other institutions. If any faculty member would like to take advantage of this opportunity, contact Emily Lacy to make arrangements.