Empower Your Climate Research with Wilkes Center’s Faculty Seed Grant

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Apply for the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy’s Faculty Seed Grant for 2025/26 and receive essential support for your climate research initiatives.

Introduction

Climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time, demanding innovative research and effective policy solutions. Securing seed funding is often the crucial first step for researchers aiming to explore new avenues in climate science and its policy implications. The Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy offers an exceptional opportunity for faculty members to advance their climate research through its Faculty Seed Grant for the 2025/26 cycle.

About the Wilkes Center’s Faculty Seed Grant

The Wilkes Center’s Faculty Seed Grant is designed to provide initial support for impactful research projects that delve into the fundamental processes of climate change and explore its policy impacts and opportunities. This seed funding initiative targets projects that have the potential to generate significant extramural funding, laying the groundwork for long-term research endeavors.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Faculty Seed Grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Affiliation: Applicants must be tenure-line or career-line faculty in residence at the University of Utah.
• Project Scope: Proposals should represent a new research direction and must not overlap with any existing grants.
• Funding Sources: Projects already supported by other sources or seeking gap funding between external grants are ineligible.
• Extramural Commitment: Principal Investigators (PIs) must commit to submitting at least one external proposal based on the pilot project. Proof of such submission is required in the final report.

Application Process

The application process is straightforward but competitive. Interested faculty members should carefully prepare their proposals to clearly demonstrate the novelty and potential impact of their research. While reviewers may not be subject area experts, proposals should be written for a broad audience, highlighting the significance and feasibility of the project.

Key Steps:

1. Proposal Preparation: Craft a compelling proposal that outlines the research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
2. Submission: Complete the application through the designated portal, ensuring all required documents are included.
3. Review: Proposals will undergo a thorough review process to assess their potential for success and alignment with the grant’s goals.
4. Notification: Successful applicants will be notified and required to adhere to the funding terms, including final reporting.

Funding Details

The Faculty Seed Grant offers substantial financial support to kickstart your climate research:

• Single PI Projects: Up to $20,000 for one year.
• Collaborative Projects: Up to $50,000 for multi-PI initiatives, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.

Budget Restrictions:

Seed grant funds cannot be allocated to:

• Non-project-related travel (e.g., conferences)
• Consultants
• Tuition
• Office equipment (unless specifically justified)

Reporting Requirements

Recipients of the Faculty Seed Grant must adhere to stringent reporting guidelines to ensure accountability and facilitate future funding opportunities.

Post-Award Obligations:

• Project Duration: Funds must be utilized within one year, starting May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026.
• Final Report: A comprehensive report detailing the project’s progress and outcomes must be submitted within 12 months of the grant’s end date.
• Extramural Funding Proof: Applicants must provide evidence of proposal submissions to external funding agencies.
• Eligibility for Future Funding: Outstanding final reports are mandatory for eligibility in future funding cycles.

Benefits of Receiving Seed Funding

Securing a seed funding grant from the Wilkes Center offers numerous advantages:

• Research Advancement: Provides the financial resources necessary to explore groundbreaking climate research.
• Funding Leverage: Enhances the likelihood of obtaining additional extramural funding by demonstrating project viability.
• Collaborative Opportunities: Encourages interdisciplinary projects, fostering collaboration among diverse academic fields.
• Professional Growth: Bolsters the research portfolio of faculty members, contributing to career advancement and academic recognition.

Conclusion

The Wilkes Center’s Faculty Seed Grant represents a pivotal opportunity for faculty members at the University of Utah to propel their climate research forward. By providing essential seed funding, the grant facilitates the initiation of innovative projects that can lead to significant scientific and policy advancements. Don’t miss the chance to empower your climate research and contribute to meaningful solutions for one of the most critical issues of our time.

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