Do you have a budding idea for a research project, but need to formulate it? Do you want to collaborate with a new colleague? Maybe an industry or community partner? The RI Network for Excellence in Science and Technology’s (RI-NEST) Seed Grant program may be for you.
Seed funding will catalyze innovative projects strengthen Rhode Island’s research ecosystem and support proposals that embody transdisciplinary, use-inspired approaches. We encourage unique partnerships between academia, industry, the Narragansett Indian Tribe, and community organizations. By funding high-impact projects, RI-NEST seeks to strengthen the state’s research competitiveness and workforce development capacity for its citizens, and support long-term societal and economic growth.
Seed Grant Categories
- Research Seed Grants – Up to $10,000 for faculty and researchers at Rhode Island institutions of higher education.
- Student Research Seed Grants – Up to $5,000 for full-time graduate students at Rhode Island institutions of higher education.
Evaluating Proposals
Applications will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Does the proposal align with RI-NEST’s strategic goals (see right) and embody principles of transdisciplinary, use-inspired research?
- Is the proposal well-defined, and does it present a clear research question, approach, and realistic timeline?
- Will this proposal contribute meaningfully to research, innovation, and/or student development in STEM fields?
- Does the budget clearly support the proposal’s scope of work?
- Does the proposal clearly outline faculty or institutional support to help ensure project success? For graduate student applicants only.
Shaping your Proposal
RI-NEST will hold two virtual drop-in sessions on Thursday, July 17 and Tuesday, August 5 (both at 3pm) for prospective applicants seeking support for drafting their proposals. Please register at least a week prior to each session so that we can best respond to your questions and concerns.
Applications will be accepted between June 15 and September 1, with an anticipated award date of October 1, 2025.
Have questions? Contact RI-NEST Project Administrator Howard J. Dooley, Jr. at hdooley@uri.edu.
RI NSF EPSCoR is supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation under EPSCoR Cooperative Agreements #OIA-2433276 and in part by the RI Commerce Corporation via the Science and Technology Advisory Committee [STAC]. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the RI Commerce Corporation, STAC, our partners or our collaborators.