Funder: Washington State University Agricultural Research Center
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Call for proposals deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $100,000 over 2 years
Summary: Seed funding for WSU faculty to develop new research addressing Washington agricultural challenges and strengthen external funding proposals.
Key Information: Open only to WSU researchers; not intended to supplement funded projects or replace other funding.
Description
The Emerging Research Initiative (ERI) is an internal competitive grant program funded by the Washington State University Agricultural Research Center and administered through the CAHNRS Office of Research. It provides faculty with seed support to generate preliminary data, improve the competitiveness of proposals to outside agencies, and address emerging problems affecting Washington’s agricultural industries and citizens. Its parent program, the Unified Industry-Based Agriculture Initiative, began receiving Washington Legislature funding in 2009.
ERI prioritizes new research directions, gaps in discovery research, and work that builds capacity to address significant agricultural challenges. Newly formed research teams and high-risk, high-reward proof-of-concept studies are especially encouraged. Supported work spans plant-pathogen interactions, soil health, cattle reproduction and health, insect management, and precision aquaculture.
