Stimulating Innovative Global Engagement

In partnership 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. As a matching collaboration between Global Affairs, the Academic Deans, 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. To date, the program has funded 284 projects with over $2 million dollars invested by Global Affairs ($4 million total); in turn, these projects have generated over $50 million in external funding.

Call for Proposals

As 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.

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 offer the following additional earmarked funding:

• CAMPOS or CAMPSSAH scholars (past and present).
• Organized Research Units from the Office of Research.
• Research collaboration with Taiwan (funded by the UC Davis-Taiwan Collaborative Research Fund in memory of former chancellor Larry Vanderhoef).
• Research collaboration with Italy (funded by the Eivind Lange and Mary Puma Engagement and Research in Italy Fund)

Matching Funds

1:1 matching funding from the college or school dean’s office is required. Prospective applicants should reach out to their dean’s office in advance of submitting the proposal and obtain the required signature (see Deadline section below for more details). Proposals with PIs from more than one school or college should obtain signatures from all of the schools or colleges involved. Signatures (when required) should appear 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. Proposals should not exceed $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, honoraria for speakers, etc.)
  • Payment to personnel is closely governed by UC policies. Salaries for full-time university employees CANNOT be included in the budget.
• Travel and Entertainment (facility rentals/costs, food, transportation, etc.)
• 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. Project Overview and Timeline: Provide an overview and timeline of the proposed research project. Articulate clearly the expected outcomes of the project and the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary aspects of the work. Indicate whether this is a new line of research or a significant broadening of an existing line, and specify whether the global relationships being fostered are new or adding greater depth to an existing institutional relationship (up to 1200 words).
3. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Describe briefly and clearly how your proposal integrates concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (up to 250 words).
4. Global Learning: Describe how global learning for students will be incorporated into your project (up to 250 words).
5. Dissemination and Future Funding: Outline your plans for the dissemination of your research outcomes and possibilities for future funding applications. Be as specific as possible (up to 250 words).
6. Budget Narrative: Provide a budget narrative that adheres to UC Davis requirements (up to 250 words). Please attach the budget spreadsheet as well.

Deadline

Submit a proposal through the online form by December 13, 2024. Kerberos ID required for submission. The online form will open in mid-October 2024.

• Proposals are welcome from faculty of ALL schools/colleges. All proposals need a signature from the PI’s Dean’s office (ie. dean or associate dean). Applicants from the following schools/colleges must submit a draft proposal for pre-approval and signature by December 3, 2024 in advance of the Global Affairs deadline of December 13, 2024:
  • College of Biological Sciences, please submit your application to Associate Dean for Research Dan Starr (dastarr@ucdavis.edu)
  • 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. Once cleared with your department chair, submit your application to Associate Dean Raisa d’Souza (rmdsouza@ucdavis.edu) and Dean Richard Corsi (rlcorsi@ucdavis.edu). 
  • School of Education, please submit your application to Associate Dean Gloria Rodriguez (gmrodriguez@ucdavis.edu).
  • School of Medicine, please submit your application to Assistant Dean Anuurad Erdembileg (anuerdem@ucdavis.edu).
  • Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, please submit your application to Associate Dean for Research Janice Bell (jfbell@ucdavis.edu).
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, please submit your application to Associate Dean Woutrina Smith (wasmith@ucdavis.edu AND vetmedglobalprograms@vetmed.ucdavis.edu). 
• Proposals with PIs from more than one school or college must obtain signatures from the deans or unit heads of all associated schools, colleges, and units. This should be done according to the guidelines listed above, and must be completed prior to the December deadline.

Grant awardees will be announced at the International Connections Reception. 

The submission portal will be open by October 15, 2024 and will close on December 13, 2024.

Submit your proposal

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:

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

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 (e.g., 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 must be submitted before a new grant can be awarded. Repeat applicants must present projects that are different from those previously submitted.

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 2023, 24, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17 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

Esther Luna DeLozier

Assistant Director of Partnerships and Faculty Engagement
Global Affairs
(530) 574-8545
eldelozier@ucdavis.edu