Purpose of Research Seed Grants

The Research Seed Grant Program is designed to assist Principal Investigators (PIs) who have submitted a proposal to extramural funding agencies that were highly rated but not funded. This initiative aims to support proposals across all disciplines. Twice a year, the Research Development Team will organize a competition to provide monetary support to strengthen resubmissions.   

Through this program, PIs will receive support to address the feedback provided by the review panels of funding agencies. The use of funds will be tailored to address the reviewer comments. 

It is expected that PIs will resubmit their proposal to federal agencies within 12 months of receiving funding through the Resubmission Program. 

We encourage individuals to take time to find and review panel feedback and submit an application. 

Award Amount:

Funding support will be based on the needs of the PI to address reviewer comments or issues identified by the funding agencies. The Research Development Team will work with the PI to determine the amount, but most can expect support up to $10,000.  

Requirements: 

• Must be considered a PI based on UNT’s PI Eligibility Guidelines 
• Must have previously submitted to an extramural funding source  
• Must include reviews from the funding source in submission.   
• Panel feedback may not be older than 8 months when submitting to the internal competition.  
• Must be willing to resubmit the proposal within 12 months. The Research Development Team will coordinate with submission deadlines. 
• PIs may reapply for the program in the same calendar year, if not selected 
• If a PI is selected and awarded, a PI cannot reapply until two full calendar years have passed. 
• Funds must be used within one calendar year of receiving funding. 
• Funding will not be released until all compliance documents and approvals are in place. 

PI Eligibility Requirements: 

• Must have a primary, full-time UNT appointment and must be PI eligible. 

Allowable Expenses: 

Funding from the program may be used to support:  

• Supplies/project expenses;  
• Animal care or core facility services 
• Participant costs 
• Salaries/benefits for non-faculty research personnel 
• Research Travel (not conference support) 
• Equipment 

Research Seed Grant funds may NOT be used to support:  

• Faculty salaries 
• Conference Travel 
• Budget overdrafts 
• Administrative costs (i.e., school and departmental surcharges) 
• Subawards 
• Funds will not be allocated to non-UNT collaborators. 

Dates:  

The Research Development Team will have two calls each academic calendar. For 2024-2025 academic calendar the deadline dates are listed below.  
 
Deadline One: December 13, 2024  
Deadline Two: May 16, 2025.  

Submission Information: 

To apply, please submit to our InfoReady portal (coming soon). 

General Requirements: 

• Copy of original proposal and all supporting documents 
• Funding Agency, Opportunity Title and Number 
• PI and key personnel 
• Reviewer feedback and/or panel summaries that include: 
• A brief response the reviewer and panel feedback 
• A plan to modify your research proposal in response to the resubmitted proposal reviewers’ comments and panel summary. 
• Timeline for resubmission 
• Budget Request and Justification that addresses: 
• An itemized budget includes supplies, equipment, participant cost, etc.  
• An explanation of how the activities made possible by the request will enhance the competitiveness of the resubmitted proposal and lead to a successful submission to the sponsor. 

Selection Criteria: 

The applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of leadership from the Division of Research and Innovation, faculty in relevant disciplines, and other technical experts when needed.  

• Quality of Initial Proposal 
• Strength of Reviewer Feedback 
• Addressing of Reviewer Feedback 
• Potential for Success in Resubmission 
• Alignment with Funding Agency Priorities 

Award Information: 

Once awarded a research seed grant the PI will sign an award letter between the Division of Research and Innovation, Associate Dean of Research, and Department Chair. The PI will have responsibility to fulfill the following items during the funding support.  

• Planning Meeting with Research Development Team 
• Meeting with the program officer at least once 
• Four-month check-in meeting with the Research Development Team 
• Eight- month check with the Research Development Team 
• Final meeting with Research Development Team once the funding cycle has ended  
• Final report 

Funding will not be distributed until all final compliance documents are in place.  

Visit UNT's InfoReady Portal