SDSU Seed Grant Program
The SDSU Seed Grant Program provides funding for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (RSCA) projects for Unit 3 faculty. Similar to the UGP, this program provides important funding for new RSCA projects and areas of inquiry, allows faculty to bring ongoing projects to completion, and serves to facilitate the development of projects that are competitive for extramural funding. Awards are limited to $7,500 and awarded for a 12-month period.
Eligibility: All SDSU, CSU Collective Bargaining Agreement Unit 3 faculty, who have not received more than three Seed awards in the past five years are eligible to apply.
Award Specifics: Eligible faculty can request up to $7,500 for 12 months of funding (January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026). The Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) expects to fund approximately 35 applications for the 2026 funding cycle.
Due: Oct. 6, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
The Application Process
We will be accepting applications via the InfoReady online competition portal starting Aug. 20, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
DRI will not consider applications submitted after Oct. 6, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. for funding. Application sections exceeding word limits will not be reviewed.
Please submit a single PDF document that contains the following sections:
Project Description (1,500 words max): Please provide a brief description of the proposed project and the methodology involved. Include the background for the project, project plan, timelines, and references. Address the significance of the project, the relevance of your project to your field(s) of study or area(s) of expertise, and how this project will advance your discipline(s) or field(s) of work. Please summarize any work completed to date that is related to this project. If you currently have external funding, please provide an explanation as to why your current external funding does not cover the work proposed in this application. Identify where you anticipate the results of the research/scholarly activity will be disseminated (e.g., publication, performance, convention paper, application for further funding, exhibition). Indicate whether any intellectual property may be developed in conjunction with this project (for guidance contact the SDSU Technology Transfer Office).
Experience and Qualifications (500 words max): Please describe relevant experiences that support your qualifications for this project.
Budget Justification/Explanation: Please provide a budget justification/explanation for your project. Expenses should be directly related to your project. Seed grant funds can be used for student assistants, equipment and supplies, contract services, travel*, other expenses, and summer salary (not to exceed $3,750). Faculty course release is not available for the SDSU Seed Grant program as DRI has a separate assigned time funding program for this purpose.
*Note regarding travel: If Seed Grant funds are used for travel, all pertinent SDSU and SDSU Research Foundation travel policies must be followed.
Bibliography/References
Application Review
Colleges will review applications using college-specific criteria and priorities (check with your college for these criteria/priorities) with final recommendations made by College Deans to DRI. The Division of Research and Innovation will notify awardees by Nov. 14, 2025.
Required Reporting
Grantees are required to complete a final report by Jan. 31, 2027. Grantees will be sent a report reminder several weeks before the report due date. Grantees can request a one-time, 12-month extension if grant activities cannot be completed during the 12-month period.
Please contact Felisha Herrera Villarreal, DRI Fellow for Faculty Programs with any questions.
Budget Adjustment Request Form
2025 Seed Grant Program Funded Applications