[The Welch Foundation](https://welch1.org)

April 30, 2026 (Full application, due by 12:00 PM CST)

Up to two awards annually; each grant is $5,000,000 total over five years ($1,000,000/year).

Supports Texas-based teams advancing fundamental chemical research on significant, frontier problems in chemistry.

By invitation only; Program Director must be a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member at an eligible Texas institution.

--- ## Description The Catalyst Grants, part of the Catalyst for Discovery Program from The Welch Foundation, are designed to accelerate progress in fundamental chemical research by supporting Texas-based research teams tackling major, cutting-edge challenges in chemistry. The program aims to lower barriers to discovery and provide researchers with substantial flexibility in their approach, with minimal administrative overhead. Proposals are solicited by invitation to institutions in Texas with significant chemical research programs, and funding is intended to enable ambitious, high-impact research projects that span all subfields of chemistry and allied disciplines. --- ## Due Dates - April 30, 2026: Full application submission deadline for Catalyst Grants (applications due by 12:00 PM CST on April 30) Awards are announced in July, with funding beginning August 1. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to two grants awarded annually. - Each grant provides $5,000,000 total over a five-year period ($1,000,000 per year). - Budgets may include up to $500,000 for equipment (total), up to $200,000 per year for faculty salary and benefits, and other direct costs (personnel, supplies, travel, publication). - No indirect costs (overhead) are allowed. --- ## Eligibility - Only Texas institutions with substantial chemical research programs are eligible (criteria include external research funding in chemistry, existing Welch grants, endowed chairs, and relevant PhD programs). - Applications are by invitation only; invitations are issued in January each year. - The Program Director (PD) must be a full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the eligible institution. - Up to four additional tenured or tenure-track faculty may participate as Co-Investigators (Co-Is). - Program Directors and Co-Is holding other Welch Foundation funding are eligible to participate. - Research must focus on fundamental chemical research (including all subfields of chemistry and allied fields such as biochemistry, chemical biology, chemical physics, chemical engineering, materials science, and nanoscience). Medical, clinical, or general biology research is not eligible unless it directly addresses fundamental chemical principles. --- ## Application Process - Application is by invitation only; invited institutions receive instructions in January. - Applications must be submitted via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) between April 1 and April 30 (by 12:00 PM CST). - Required application materials include: - Program summary (up to 3 pages) and detailed program description (up to 15 pages) - NIH-style biosketches (max 5 pages) for PD and all Co-Is - Budget for five years ($1,000,000/year) - Tenure letter(s) for PD and all Co-Is - Project abstract and additional institutional and personnel information - Applications are reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Board; top proposals are invited for a secondary review (videoconference). - Final decisions are made by the Board of Directors; awards announced in July, with funding starting August 1. --- ## Additional Information - Grant funds may be used for direct research costs (personnel, equipment, supplies, publication, travel), but not for overhead, tuition, consultant fees, building costs, or general office expenses. - Annual progress and financial reports are required. - No-cost extensions may be requested for up to 12 months. - For questions about eligibility or application requirements, contact [grants@welch1.org](mailto:grants@welch1.org). --- ## External Links - [Catalyst Grants Program Page](https://welch1.org/grants-programs/catalyst-grants) - [Program Guidelines & Procedures (PDF)](https://welch-main.s3.amazonaws.com/media/Catalyst-for-Discovery-Guidelines-2026.pdf) - [Important Dates and Deadlines](https://welch1.org/grants-programs/important-dates-and-deadlines) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [Current Catalyst Grant Recipients](https://welch1.org/grants-programs/catalyst-grants/catalyst-grants-list) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | General grant/program questions | [grants@welch1.org](mailto:grants@welch1.org) | | ProposalCentral technical support | pcsupport@altum.com / 1-800-875-2562 | | Welch Foundation main phone | +1 (713) 961-9884 |

Catalyst Grants

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