IBACS Fall Seed Grant Applications Now Open – October 1 Deadline

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The Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences (IBACS) Seed Grant application is now open. Seed Grants provide funding to eligible affiliates for interdisciplinary projects and research initiatives consistent with the IBACS mission. Successful applications typically involve collaborations that require expertise across laboratories and traditional disciplinary boundaries.

IBACS prioritizes projects that will provide pilot data in support of applications for external funding and publications. Seed funding is intended to support direct research costs such as supplies, participant fees, animal costs, and student support.

Letter of Intent Deadline: Letters of intent must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the Seed Grant application deadline (by September 17, 2026) to allow time for review and feedback before submission of the full proposal. Earlier submission is encouraged.

Open to: Faculty and postdoctoral affiliates. UCH investigators are eligible to apply as long as a Storrs collaborator is listed as a Co-PI. Please view the Seed Grant webpage for full eligibility requirements.

Key Application Dates:

  • Fall Large Seed Grant Deadline (>$10K): October 1, 2026 — applications are currently open.
  • Spring Large Seed Grant Deadline (>$10K): April 1, 2027 — applications will open at a later date.
  • Small Seed Grants (<$10K): Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.

Current Priorities:

  1. Given the current funding landscape, IBACS will prioritize proposals in areas aligned with current federal funding priorities and relevant to brain and cognitive science, including critical and emerging technologies (such as AI), health, and related areas.
  2. Applications with efficient, well-justified budgets will also be prioritized so that we can support as many projects as possible. Applicants are encouraged to request only funds that are critical to the proposed project, rather than aiming for the maximum allowable funding amount.

For full details on the Seed Grant program, including the letter of intent, full Seed Grant application, eligibility requirements, and allowable costs, please visit our Seed Grant webpage.

Questions may be directed to Institute Coordinator Crystal Mills at crystal.mills@uconn.edu or (860) 486-4937.

IBACS is always looking to expand our community of University affiliates and help researchers connect across disciplines. If you know colleagues in your department who are not yet affiliated with the Institute, please share the benefits of affiliation with them.