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The University of Massachusetts Lowell (51视频) and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) are committed to fostering productive and sustainable interdisciplinary research collaborations among our faculty and students. We are pleased to provide seed funding to teams of researchers from both institutions. These projects will promote synergistic collaborations that align with and advance the strategic priorities of the 51视频 and FGCU research communities, leading to external funding, industry partnerships, and entrepreneurial activity.

This year鈥檚 priority areas are:

  • Energy
  • Resilience
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Finance
  • Economic Development

Funding Amount and Award Period

51视频 (UML) and FGCU plan to award up to five (5) collaborative projects at up to $20,000 each. Exactly half of each awarded project鈥檚 budget should be allocated to each university (for example, $10,000 to UML, $10,000 to FGCU). Each institution may only pay for the costs incurred by its own participants.

Funds are awarded for a 12-month period (February 1, 2026 鈥� February 1, 2027). No extensions will be granted.

Application Deadline

Proposals must be submitted through by Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Please visit the to download the full solicitation under "Supporting Documents" and review the complete document for guidelines, proposal requirements, and evaluation.

Eligibility

  • All full-time tenured/tenure-track faculty at 51视频 and ranked faculty at FGCU are eligible to participate.
  • Proposing teams must include faculty members from both 51视频 and FGCU. The lead principal investigator (PI) may come from either institution, or the team may choose to have co-PIs, one from each institution.
  • An individual faculty member may serve as the lead PI on one proposal and co-PI on one additional proposal.
  • PIs from 51视频 are eligible to apply even if they already hold an active internal grant from 51视频鈥檚 Office of Research Development (ORD).

Teaming Recommendations

  • Complete the (Google Form) to add your research expertise and express interest in applying. You may also 听(Google Spreadsheet).
  • (Zoom) on Wednesday, October 15th from 2:00-3:30pm ET. 51视频鈥檚 Office of Research Development will provide an overview of the funding opportunity, followed by theme-based breakout rooms for networking and brainstorming among potential applicants.
  • 51视频 faculty may also use or to find possible collaborators at either institution.
  • Faculty from either institution may contact 51视频鈥檚 Office of Research Development (email:听RD@uml.edu) to facilitate introductions.听

Timeline

  • September 30, 2025 鈥� Announcement of call for proposals
  • November 14, 2025 鈥� Proposal deadline
  • November/December - Proposal review
  • December 19, 2025 鈥� Notification of decision to applicants
  • February 1, 2026 鈥� Disbursement of funds (12-month award period)

Deliverables

Awardees are required to submit a final report outlining activities and outcomes no later than 12 months after the project end date. Instructions for the report will be provided near the end of the award period.