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Research Awards

Application now open

The Global Innovation Fund supports research that launches new projects, builds international networks, and lays the groundwork for future large-scale initiatives.

Seed Grants: Up to $5,000 for projects limited in scope or just beginning. This can be an opportunity for faculty who wish to add a global dimension to their research for the first time. Open to any discipline and geographic focus. Ìý

Development Grants: Up to $15,000 for projects that have already established significant impact. Proposed activities and outputs should clearly build on work already accomplished. Open to any discipline and geographic focus.ÌýÌý

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global Partner Awards:ÌýUp to $20,000 through severalÌýofficial Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ GlobalÌýpartner institutions:Ìý

  • Aalto University
  • University of Helsinki
  • Tohoku University
  • University of Manchester
  • University of SheffieldÌý

Some of these partners have specific eligibility requirements, while some do not.Ìý Please see below.Ìý

For collaboration and preparation purposes, applicants may refer to the . This template provides an overview of required questions and materials.

Contact Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global with questions at uwgif@uw.edu.Ìý

Research Awards

Seed Grants and Development Grants at any location that demonstrates consideration for the following will be given priority:Ìý

  • Cross-disciplinary collaborationÌý
  • Longevity of the program/projectÌý
  • Bi-directional relationships withÌýanyÌýglobal partnersÌý

Strategic Priorities for 2026-2027:

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global has developed strategic research priorities in alignment with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµâ€™s’ strategic vision.

  • STEM–Arts & Humanities Collaboration: We encourage applications with at least one PI based in a STEM field and one based in the Arts & Humanities in an equal partnership with a clear case for why interdisciplinary collaboration is core to the project objectives.
  • “Glocalâ€� Research and/or Engagement: We encourage applications that engage with local global diasporas and/or connections between the PNW and other parts of the world.
  • Strategic Geographies: Kenya, India, Nordic/Arctic, and Japan: We encourage applications from any discipline that concerns any of these countries or region. Target countries may change from year to year.

The GIF Awards cannot support long-term projects. We expect that the research team will apply for additional funding to support a long-term project.Ìý

Contact Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global with questions at uwgif@uw.eduÌý

This call invites proposals for partnership development activities that strengthen collaboration between the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ) and our partner universities:

Eligibility

  • Proposals must include participants from both Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and one of the partner institutions listed above.
  • Eligible disciplines and other requirements vary by partner:Ìý
    • AaltoÌýUniversity: All fieldsÌýand no other specific requirements.Ìý
    • University of Manchester:Ìý
      • Must connect to one of these themes:Ìý
        • Digital Futures
        • Sustainable FuturesÌý
      • Other requirements:Ìý
        • PIs/leads are ineligible to apply if they have received money from the international seed funds in the last 2 years: As one of our collective objectives is for the PIs/leads to be applying for external funding, we feel that this two-year rule discourages reliance on internal funding for theÌýlonger termÌýproject developments.Ìý
        • 3ÌýresearchersÌýper partner institution:ÌýThis willÌýfacilitate the building of research networks, rather than simply peer-to-peer research.Ìý
        • The project team needs to include an Early Career Researcher:ÌýIncluding an ECR in the project team helps to ensure the inclusion of the next generation of researchers. Ìý
        • UofM PIs must submit a separate application through their own portal. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ PIs only need to focus on our application.Ìý
    • University of Helsinki: Open to all fieldsÌýand noÌýspecial requirements. Similarly to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ, they will deprioritize previous winners, so Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ PIs should ensure that their UH collaborator has not previously won this award.
    • University of Sheffield: Open to all fields, but the below represent their strategic priorities:
      • ´¡±õ Ìý
      • Built Environments (incl. Architecture & Landscape Architecture)
      • Relationships between people, information, and technology
      • Manufacturing and Robotics Ìý
      • ²Ï³Ü²¹²Ô³Ù³Ü³¾â€¯Ìý
      • Biomedical Engineering Ìý
      • ²Ñ±ð»å¾±³¦¾±²Ô±ð Ìý
      • Ice and Climate Ìý
    • Tohoku University: Must be connected to one of the below topics:
      • Quantum Science
      • Disaster ResilienceÌý
      • Engineering & Advanced ManufacturingÌý
      • Medical and Biosystems ScienceÌý
      • For full requirements please see this document:

Funding Details

  • Each selected project may receiveÌýup to $10,000 from the Global Innovation Fund (GIF)Ìýat Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ.
  • The partner university willÌýmatch the same amount, providing up to an additionalÌý$10,000Ìýto its participating faculty or researchers.
  • Total maximum project funding:Ìý$20,000.
  • Funds are intended to support activities that initiate or deepen collaboration, such as workshops and joint research.

Application Process

    • With the exception of the University of Manchester, the only application submitted is our application completed by the ̹½ÊÓÆµ faculty member(s)  through the GIF Terra Dotta platform. University of Manchester additionally requires that their faculty submit a separate application.ÌýÌý
    • No separate application is required for the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ principal applicant through the partner institution.

Proposal Requirements
Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed activity will:

  • Build on areas of mutual interest and complementary strengths.
  • Provide a foundation for long-term, large-scale collaboration between Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and the partner institution.
  • Support future joint research initiatives and potential applications for external research funding.

For Seed Grants:ÌýÌý

  • Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ faculty members, research scientists, and non-faculty researchers in fulltime, paid positions from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses may apply.
  • Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ faculty members, research scientists, or non-faculty researchers in unpaid positions may be collaborators. A project’s primary investigator/leader must be fulltime and paid.
  • Graduate students, including PhD students, and post docs, are not eligible to apply; however, their involvement in the project’s delivery, such as serving as research assistants or interns, is encouraged. Ìý
  • Seed grants are intended for applicants who are in the early stages of a research project or those seeking to expand their research globally. Early career faculty are especially encouraged to apply.

For Development Grants

  • Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ faculty members, research scientists, and non-faculty researchers in fulltime, paid positions from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses may apply.
  • Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ faculty members, research scientists, or non-faculty researchers in unpaid positions may be collaborators. A project’s primary investigator/leader must be fulltime and paid.
  • Graduate students, including PhD students, and post docs, are not eligible to apply; however, their involvement in the project’s delivery, such as serving as research assistants or interns, is encouraged. Ìý
  • Preference is given to those who have not previously won a Development Award (previously Tier 2) or Partner Award (previously Tier 3), and applications who have won in the past three cycles are unlikely to be considered.

For Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global Partnership Awards

  • Who can apply: Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ faculty members, research scientists, and non-faculty researchers in fulltime, paid positions from the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell campuses may apply.
  • Who cannot apply: Graduate students, including PhD students and post docs, unpaid faculty, researcher scientists, or non-faculty researchers are not eligible to be primary investigators/project leaders.
  • Student involvement: Graduate students may participate in the project’s delivery, such as serving as research assistants or interns.
  • Collaboration requirement: All Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ applications must include a collaborator from one of the partner universities.
  • Preference is given to those who have not previously won a Development Award (previously Tier 2) or Partner Award (previously Tier 3), and applications who have won in the past three cycles are unlikely to be considered.
  • Please see the above “Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global Partner Awards” tab for eligibility and project requirements specific to each partner.

For all applications, the priority is given to:Ìý

  • Cross-disciplinary and multi-country collaborationÌý
  • Proof of concept with clear outcomesÌý
  • Sustainable funding models after the GIF awardÌý
  • Development and submission of a collaborative proposal for external fundingÌý
  • Development and submission of a collaborative scholarly publication, monograph, or exhibition of research or creative workÌý
  • Development of new collaborative curricular programs (degree programs, courses, faculty exchanges)Ìý

Application opens September 17th, 2026
Application deadline **extended** November 16th, 2026 at 12:00pm
Notification of award First half of January 2027
Award use period February 2027 – February 2028
Post-award reports due February 2028
Unused funds returned to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global February 2028

All funded projects must submit a post-award report to the MyGlobal platform at the end of the award use period.

  • Brief narrative report – describe the purpose, outcomes, and next steps for your projectÌý
  • Photos and/or videosÌý
  • Updated budget, including actual expendituresÌý

Please mention the Global Innovation Fund in any communications or news related to your project. UseÌý#Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµGlobalÌýon social mediaÌýÌýandÌý.Ìý

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Global may follow up to do additional marketing and storytelling around each community.Ìý

Failure toÌýsubmitÌýthe final report and budget on time will cause exclusion from future GIF applications.Ìý

Support for GIF applications

Join our workshops and office hours to receive guidance directly from the GIF team. We also encourage you to reach out to us atÌýuwgif@uw.eduÌýwith questions or to Sara Katz atÌýsarakatz@uw.edu with requests for an individual consult if none of the offered times work for your schedule.

Office Hours Schedule

We are offering two identical workshops that will go over the Global Innovation Fund in general and best practices for proposals.

  • October 8th: 3:00-4:00pm
    • Register
  • October 9th: 10:00am-11:00am
    • Register

Drop-in office hours are available to address specific questions as you develop your proposal, and to hear the questions of other investigators. You must be signed in with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ net ID to join the Zoom.

  • October 16th: 10:00-11:00am
    • Register
  • October 23rd: 11:00am-12:00pm
    • Register
  • October 30th: 1:00-2:00pm
    • Register
  • November 6th: 2:00-3:00pm
    • Register

Previously successful proposals:

*This list can only be accessed by logging in with an eligible Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ NetID, and connected through a VPN such as , if off campus.