The University of Colorado Boulder has announced it will allocate approximately $872,000 to support 16 new research projects through its 2026 Research and Innovation Seed Grant program. This initiative comes as the university recorded a significant increase in interest, receiving a record 122 proposals from its researchers, up from 104 in 2025. This uptick in applications occurs amidst a challenging financial landscape, with CU Boulder facing the loss of tens of millions of dollars in federal funding due to canceled grants and work stoppages.
Massimo Ruzzene, Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, highlighted the importance of the Seed Grant program, stating, “During this time of shifting federal funding priorities, the Research & Innovation Seed Grant program remains a reliable cornerstone that empowers CU Boulder faculty to pursue high-risk, high-reward ideas and launch directions that ultimately benefit society in profound ways.”
In the previous year, the program awarded around $900,000 to fund 15 research initiatives. Since its inception in 2008, the program has disbursed approximately $19.6 million in funding for over 417 projects across the campus, including the current round of funding.
Wide Range of Research Topics
The research projects selected for funding in 2026 cover an impressive array of disciplines, including biosciences, health, sustainability, humanities, and quantum studies. The topics for this year’s proposals include weather studies, water quality monitoring, artificial intelligence, folk religion, and strategies for reducing violence.
The Research and Innovation Seed Grant program is designed to support research, scholarship, and creative projects that demonstrate a high potential for innovation or substantial impact, or both. Grants can provide up to $60,000 over an 18-month period, encouraging faculty and researchers to explore creative and sometimes high-risk ideas.
The evaluation process for this year’s proposals involved 14 review panels, comprising 45 faculty members. Each panel assessed the submissions to ensure that funding is directed toward the most promising and impactful projects.
As the university continues to navigate the complexities of federal funding, the Research and Innovation Seed Grant program stands as a vital resource for nurturing groundbreaking research that can contribute significantly to society.
