Seed Grant Program

The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants.

1. Funding is to be directed at pilot research projects that are both innovative and will likely lead to successful grant applications to NIH and other public and private funding entities.

2. Assistant Professor – Junior faculty with a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority.

• Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grants and indicate if there is any overlap.

3. Associate Professor – Faculty who are pursuing new research directions.

• Must explain how the project is a new research direction.

• Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grant(s) and indicate if there is any overlap.

4. A new technique is not considered a new direction unless it pertains to a different area of study.

5. Grants are not to be used for bridge funding between grants.

Application Instructions

Please submit, preferably as one combined pdf labeled with PI’s Lastname, Firstname:

1. A two‐page letter of intent with a description of proposed aims and approach and covering the requirements above relevant to the PI’s academic level.
2. If the final application requires a statement of broader impacts, please summarize your plans to address the specific requirements on an additional page.
3. CV (not biosketch) of the PI including past grant funding.

to limitedsubs@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered. The required LOI is due to the sponsor 11/3/2026 with an institutional signature, so you will need to have your materials in to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 10/23/2026 if given the go‐ahead by the limited submissions review committee.