Global Seed Funds
Internal — Massachusetts Institute of Technology only
Global Seed Funds supports MIT researchers and colleagues abroad with travel and meetings to launch international research collaborations that address complex global issues.
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Funder: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Due Dates: September 1, 2026 (Applications open) | December 3, 2026 (2026–2027 application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Most funds offer up to $30,000 per project, plus overhead if applicable; approximately 20 months
Summary: Global Seed Funds supports travel and meetings to launch international research collaborations between MIT researchers and colleagues abroad.
Key Information: Applications must jointly involve an eligible MIT researcher and a colleague at a university or research institute in another country.
Description
Global Seed Funds (GSF), administered through MIT’s Center for International Studies, helps MIT faculty launch research collaborations addressing complex global issues. The program supports in-person exchange between MIT teams and peers at universities and public research institutions abroad, funding the travel and meetings needed to develop collaborative projects rather than long-term research stays.
GSF combines a general fund for collaborations anywhere in the world with specialized funds tied to countries, regions, and institutions. Selection priorities include new projects or collaborations entering a new phase, balanced exchange, complementary teams, and undergraduate and graduate student involvement. Since its inception in 2008, the program has awarded more than $30 million to support approximately 1,300 faculty research collaborations.
