Seed Grants for International Activities

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, Inclusive Excellence 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 313 projects with over $3 million dollars invested by Global Affairs ($6 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 the UC Davis Principles of Community, fostering respect, mutual understanding and collaboration in global engagement. 

Eligibility

UC Davis Academic Senate faculty members and Academic Federation faculty with PI status are eligible to apply. All UC Davis locations are eligible. CAMPOS or CAMPSSAH scholars (past and present) are encouraged to apply. PIs are allowed to submit one seed grant proposal per cycle. 

Funding

Seed Grants are made possible through a matching partnership between Global Affairs and UC Davis colleges and schools. Global Affairs provides $5,000 to $10,000 per proposal, which is matched by participating colleges and schools, allowing total awards of up to $20,000.

Applicants do not need to find or secure matching funds. Matching arrangements have been established at the institutional level.

This year, we are excited to offer the following additional earmarked funding:

• 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)

School and College Signature and Pre-approval Requirements

All Seed Grant proposals require a signature from the PI’s dean’s office on the Seed Grant Proposal Cover Sheet. The signature confirms the college or school support before submitting a proposal. For proposals involving PIs from more than one college or school, signatures from each participating dean’s office are required.

In addition, some colleges and schools require applicants to complete an internal pre-approval process before the Global Affairs submission deadline.

Please identify your college or school below. Do not wait until the Global Affairs deadline to request approval or a signature.

Pre-approval + signature required

• Applicants from the schools/colleges listed below must submit a draft proposal for pre-approval and a cover page for signature by December 7, 2026, ahead of the Global Affairs deadline on Monday, December 14, 2026. We recommend you prepare your draft proposal in Microsoft Word and share it, along with your cover page and budget form, with your school/college contact for review and signature by December 7. After revisions, submit your finalized proposal sections to Global Affairs through the online portal by December 14:
  • College of Biological Sciences, please submit your application to Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies Philipp Zerbe ([email protected]).
  • College of Engineering, please submit your application to Associate Dean of Research Raisa d’Souza ([email protected]).
  • Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, please submit your application to Dean Stephen Cavanagh ([email protected]) and Associate Dean for Research Jennifer Lingler ([email protected]).
  • Graduate School of Management, please submit your application to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Hemant Bhargava ([email protected])
  • School of Education, please submit your application to Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction Cynthia “Cindy” Passmore ([email protected]).
  • School of Law, please submit your application to Associate Dean for Legal Education Beth Greenwood ([email protected]).
  • School of Medicine, please submit your application to Associate Dean for Global Health Shuchi Anand ([email protected]). 
  • Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, please submit your application to Associate Dean, SVM Global Programs Woutrina Smith ([email protected]).

Signature required; no separate pre-appoval

• Applicants from the following colleges do not need pre-approval but must submit their cover sheet to be signed:
  • College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, please email [email protected].
  • College of Letters and Science, please email Executive Analyst, Jessica Ireton ([email protected])

 Proposals with PIs from more than one school or college

• 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.

Budget

Proposals should not exceed $20,000. 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, computer services, etc.).

Note: The budget is not subject to indirect costs.

Proposal Submittal Requirements

Funding provided is for work to be carried out over a period of up to two years.

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

1. Abstract and Project Description in Simple Language (up to 150 words each).
2. Project Overview: Provide an overview 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 1000 words).
3. Project Implementation and Proposed Timeline: Outline and briefly describe the major phases of work, anticipated milestones, and potential key deliverables. Explain how responsibilities will be distributed among collaborators and how the project will remain on track to meet its objectives within the proposed timeframe (up to 500 words).
4. Principles of Community: Describe briefly and clearly how your proposal reflects the UC Davis Principles of Community, such as respect, mutual understanding and collaboration, specifically in terms of how the project creates mutual benefits for all collaborators involved. (up to 250 words).
5. Global Learning: Describe how global learning for students will be incorporated into your project (up to 250 words).
6. 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).
7. Budget Narrative: Provide a budget narrative that adheres to UC Davis requirements (up to 250 words) and should not exceed $20,000. Please attach the budget spreadsheet as well.

Note: If your proposal includes developing a study abroad component, please consult Aliki Dragona, faculty director of academic programs at the Global Learning Hub within Global Affairs, at [email protected], for guidance during the proposal development stage.

Deadline

The Global Affairs application deadline is Monday, December 14, 2026. Applications must be submitted by the deadline. A Kerberos ID is required or submission. The online portal will open in mid-October 2026.

Important: Some schools or colleges have the internal deadline of Monday, December 7, 2026 for pre-approval and dean's office signatures. Review the "School and College Signature and Pre-approval Requirements" section above before preparing your application. 

Grant awardees will be announced at the International Connections Reception

The submission portal will be open by October 15, 2026 and will close on Monday, December 14, 2026.

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 the UC Davis Principles of Community;
• 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 are required to submit a final report at the end of the two-year award period, which begins on the date the award funds are disbursed. The final report form, available through the online Global Affairs Grants Portal, requests 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.). Recipients are also asked to report on how grant 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

• Do I need to find or secure matching funds for my proposal? 
• No. Applicants do not need to identify or secure matching funds. Seed Grants operate through a 1:1 funding partnership between Global Affairs and participating UC Davis colleges and schools, and the matching arrangements are established at the institutional level. 
  
  Applicants do, however, need to obtain the required signature from their dean’s office. Some colleges and schools also require an internal pre-approval process before the Global Affairs deadline. Please review the School and College Signature and Pre-approval Requirements above.

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

• 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.
• 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 March or April. Within two years of receiving the funds, the project activities should be completed and the funds expended. Any unexpended funds must be returned to Global Affairs to support other worthwhile projects.

More Information

Esther Luna DeLozier

Assistant Director of Partnerships and Faculty Engagement
Global Affairs
(530) 574-8545
[email protected]