Seeds growing

Seed Grants for International Activities

Stimulating Innovative Global Engagement

Partnering with UC Davis colleges and schools, Global Affairs provides Seed Grants for International Activities to faculty taking on innovative research, service, and engagement projects around the world.

Seed Grant Projects, which are often interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial in nature, have spurred new partnerships for UC Davis and have created long-term collaborations—ones that empower communities, build new opportunities, and advance the condition of health for people, animals, and the planet. 

About the Program

The Seed Grants for International Activities program began in 2001 to spark bold new ideas in international research. To date, the program has funded 260 projects totaling over $1.45 million dollars from Global Affairs; in turn, these projects have generated over $40 million in external funding. As a matching collaboration between Global Affairs, the Academic Deans, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Research, Seed Grant Projects have helped faculty from every college and professional school as well as from organized research units at UC Davis to forge and expand important relationships with leading international universities, government agencies, and industry partners, as well as community and non-governmental organizations.

Global Affairs encourages applications for proposals that:

  • Foster international research collaborations
  • Create innovations in internationalizing the curriculum, and support the philosophy of “Global Education for All
  • Build new interdisciplinary, international partnerships

Call for Proposals

Global Affairs announces the 2023-24 call for proposals for its Seed Grants for International Activities program. As part of a tier-one global research institution, we foster the creation of innovative new programs with a global focus that advance knowledge, enrich student learning, and help solve society’s most pressing problems. We encourage faculty of all ranks and titles to submit proposals.

Purpose

The Seed Grants for International Activities program began in 2001 to spark bold new ideas in international research. To date, the program has funded 260 projects totaling over $1.45 million dollars from Global Affairs; in turn, these projects have generated over $40 million in external funding. As a matching collaboration between Global Affairs, the Academic Deans, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Research, Seed Grant Projects have helped faculty from every college and professional school as well as from organized research units at UC Davis to forge and expand important relationships with leading international universities, government agencies, and industry partners, as well as community and non-governmental organizations.

Global Affairs encourages applications for proposals that:

  • Foster rich global research collaboration and engagement internationally;
  • Support the philosophy of “Global Education for All” by creating meaningful educational opportunities for graduate, professional and/or undergraduate students;
  • Build new, interdisciplinary, international partnerships or expand existing partnerships in innovative new directions;
  • Integrate clearly concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Application and Submission

Eligibility

UC Davis Academic Senate faculty members and Academic Federation faculty with PI status are eligible to apply. All UC Davis locations are eligible. PIs are allowed to submit one seed grant proposal per cycle.  This year we are excited to have additional, earmarked funding to focus two seed grants on:

  • CAMPOS or CAMPSSAH scholars (past and present); and
  • Research collaboration with Taiwan (funded by the UC Davis-Taiwan Collaborative Research Fund in memory of former chancellor Larry Vanderhoef)

Matching Funds

1:1 matching funding from the college or school dean’s office is required. Prospective applicants should reach out to their dean in advance of submitting the proposal and obtain the dean’s signature. Proposals with PIs from more than one school or college should obtain signatures from the deans of all of the schools or colleges involved. Deans’ signatures are required on the proposal cover sheet. 

Requesting Funds

Funding from Global Affairs ranges from $5,000 - $10,000 per proposal. Depending on matching funds, the total budget could be as much as $20,000. Funding provided is for work to be carried out over a period of up to two years.

Budget

The budget (see the budget component of the cover sheet) must follow existing UC policies and should include the following categories and must be accompanied by a budget narrative:

  • Personnel (salaries)
  • Travel and Entertainment
  • Materials and supplies
  • Miscellaneous Services (conference fees, honoraria, computer services, etc.).

Note: The budget is not subject to indirect costs.

Proposal Submittal Requirements

Proposals should be submitted through the online form and include the following elements:

  1. Abstract (up to 150 words).
  2. Please give an overview and timeline of the proposed research project.  Make sure to articulate clearly the expected outcomes of the project and the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary aspect of the work.  Please indicate as well if this is a new line of research or a significant broadening of an existing line as well as whether the global relationships being fostered are new or adding greater depth to an existing institutional relationship (up to 1200 words).
  3. Describe briefly and clearly how your proposal integrates concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (up to 250 words).
  4. Describe how global learning for students will be incorporated into your project (up to 250 words).
  5. Please outline your plans for the dissemination of your research outcome and for possibilities for future funding applications.  Be as specific as possible (up to 250 words).
  6. Budget narrative.  Please make sure that your budget adheres to UC Davis requirements (up to 250 words).  Please attach the budget spreadsheet as well.
  7. Attach the Seed Grant Cover Sheet and Global Affairs Grant Program Budget Worksheet.

Deadline

The Seed Grants for International Activities submission portal is now closed. 

Submit a proposal through the online form by December 14, 2023. Kerberos ID required for submission. 

  • Proposals with PIs from more than one school or college should obtain signatures from the deans or unit heads of all associated schools, colleges, and units involved prior to the December deadline.
  • Proposals are welcome from faculty of ALL schools/colleges.
    • College of Engineering, please discuss your application with your department chair before beginning work on an application to ensure the source and availability of the cost share.
  • Applicants from the following schools/colleges needing to submit a draft proposal for pre-approval and signature by December 4, 2023 in advance of the Global Affairs deadline of December 14, 2023:
  • All other applicants need to make sure they have the requisite Deans signatures prior to submission by the Global Affairs deadline of December 14, 2023.

Evaluation Criteria

A review committee composed of faculty and administrators will evaluate all proposals. In selecting proposals to be awarded, preference will be given to proposals that:

  • Proposals establish the significance and impact of a proposed new line of research or a significant broadening of an existing line of research;
  • Proposals are well organized and demonstrate well thought out collaborations with new international partner institutions, or add greater depth to an existing institutional relationship;
  • Proposals integrate clearly concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • Proposals integrate students into the research plan and process in ways that support global learning;
  • Proposals articulate the potential for additional external funding and provide plans for the outcomes of the research proposed.

Final Report

Seed Grant recipients will be expected to submit a final report at the end of the award period. The final report form includes information about the project’s accomplishments and future plans (i.e. external funding received; new courses, publications, or manuscripts developed; conferences held with international partners, etc.). It also requests information about how the funds were expended. For prior awardees, a final report on your previous Seed Grant is required before a new grant can be awarded. Repeat applicants must present projects that are different from those presented in the past. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Budgets

  • What can be funded with a Seed Grant proposal?
  • Funding for Seed Grants is drawn from 99100 accounts so budget items must be in line with what can be funded from these accounts. Salaries for full-time employees of UC Davis cannot be included. It is best to consult with your departmental or unit financial analyst if you are uncertain of a proposed line item or UC policies.

Matching Funds

  • Are matching funds required?
  • Yes, 1:1 matching funding from the dean is required. You will need to include the dean's electronic signature on the Seed Grant cover sheet to confirm matching funding. 

Additional Funding or Support

  • Can you provide examples of how to show promise for additional support or funding?
  • Evidence of the Principal Investigator’s previous success in obtaining external funding as well as a clear plan outlined in the proposal for obtaining additional support are two indicators of whether the project is likely to be funded in the future.

New Interdisciplinary, International Partnerships

  • Is there a clear definition of interdisciplinary?
  • In order to foster projects with a broad impact, we define “interdisciplinary” as involving multiple departments on campus.

Eligibility

  • Who is eligible to apply for the Seed Grant program?
  • UC Davis Academic Senate faculty members and Academic Federation faculty with PI status are eligible to apply. All UC Davis locations are eligible. 

Application and Submission

  • Can a Global Affairs staff member provide feedback on my proposal before final submission?
  • Unfortunately, it is not feasible for Global Affairs staff to provide feedback on proposals prior to submission.

  • Who reviews the proposals?
  • Seed Grant proposals will be reviewed by an internal review committee with representation from the Global Affairs Office and the Office of Research, as well as other units on campus. 

  • Are there examples of previously successful proposals?
  • You may review stories of successful Seed Grant projects. You can contact the Principal Investigator directly for permission to view his/her Seed Grant proposal. 

    See Global Affairs Seed Grant Recipients 2022-232021-222020-212019-202018-192017-182016-17 and 2001-15.

  • If a project is funded, when will the actual funds be received?
  • Principal Investigators who are successfully awarded Seed Grant funds will obtain funding in February or March. Within one year of receiving the funds, the project activities should be completed and the funds expended. Any unexpended funds must be returned to the Global Affairs Office to support other worthwhile projects.

More Information