This year, thanks to generous gifts from donors, we are pleased to announce the availability of additional funding, which not only increases funds for seed ideas, but also expands our efforts to sustain an innovative and resilient research environment at Brown. These new funds build on previously announced funds that were generously donated to support AI and AI-related research.
Faculty now have the opportunity to apply for funding in three tracks, as outlined below.
The Research Resilience Award (RRA) supports the continuity and adaptability of faculty research in critical areas facing disruptions from federal actions (such as research related to gender, climate impacts, and climate science). RRAs provide a safety net for researchers to continue their most promising work, as well as the opportunity to pursue new directions that generate the preliminary data necessary for securing new, sustained external funding. Eligible faculty can apply for support of up to $75,000 for 12 months. The anticipated performance period is May 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027.
The Research Innovation Award (RIA) track is designed as a two-phase program. Phase I planning and development grants up to $50,000 support team and project development over a six-month period. Selected Phase I awardees may apply for two-year Phase II awards. Invited Phase II participants may apply for up to an additional $200,000.
In rare circumstances, an established team may wish to skip Phase I and move directly to Phase II. Teams considering this approach must make a case for this expedited approach and indicate their intent at the Expression of Interest stage.
The anticipated performance period for Phase I is May 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026. Phase II is November 1, 2026-April 30, 2028.
The Research Seed Award (RSA) provides up to $50,000/12 months for proposals with a single PI, and up to $75,000/12 months for multi-PI proposals. Awards are for one year, but no-cost extensions may be granted with appropriate justification. The anticipated performance period is May 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027.
| Expression of Interest | EOI Due Date | Application Format | Application Due Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track 1 | Not required | N/A | Full proposal | 12 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2025 |
| Expression of Interest | EOI Due Date | Application Format | Application Due Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track 2, Phase I | Required, Track 2, Phase I, EOI | 12 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2025 | Full proposal, Invited | 12 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2026 |
| Track 2, Phase II | N/A | N/A | Presentation Required | Six months after start of Phase I |
| Track 2, Expedited Phase II | Required, Track 2, Expedited Phase II, EOI | 12 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2025 | Full Proposal, Invited | 12 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2026 |
| Expression of Interest | EOI Due Date | Application Format | Application Due Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track 3 | Required, Track 3, EOI | 12 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2025 | Full proposal, Invited | 12 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2026 |
This year, we are soliciting an Expression of Interest (EOI) via Google form as a required part of the submission process for Tracks 2 and 3. It is a concise, high-level summary of the proposed project. It is not a full-blown proposal, but rather its purpose is to give the review committee a quick snapshot of the project's fit for the targeted program's goals. Submission of full proposals will be by invitation only. Note there will be no reviewer feedback at this stage.
In recognition of the immediate need of resilience funds, and in an effort to expedite the process, an expression of interest is not required for Track 1: Research Resilience Award submissions.
Any Brown faculty member employed by Brown and whose research is administered through Brown is eligible. Brown faculty employed by affiliated institutions, Brown faculty whose research is administered through affiliated institutions, emeritus faculty, adjunct faculty, visiting faculty, and postdocs, are not eligible to lead projects as a Principal Investigator (PI), but may be included on the research team.
Faculty with access to discretionary funds (e.g., start-up funds) are required to include justification describing why additional funding is required to pursue the proposed project.
PIs may submit to multiple tracks, however, only one submission per PI (as PI or Co-PI) is allowed per track.
For Track 1, applicants must demonstrate that they were directly impacted by federal funding disruptions occurring during the FY2024–25 budget cycle. However, faculty members who have not received an explicit notice of termination are eligible to apply, provided they demonstrate how their area of research has been significantly impacted.
For Track 2, PI and Co-PI must be from distinctly different disciplines, and projects must clearly cross distinct disciplinary units (e.g., Engineering and Public Health).
All prior Seed recipients must be current on reporting requirements.
Based on NSF guidelines, PIs are required to indicate in the project description the extent to which, if any, generative AI technology was used and how it was used to develop their proposal.
Brown's enterprise generative AI offerings address some data protection considerations. Other generative AI considerations and resources include Brown authorship guidelines and the Brown Library Guide on Generative AI.