Killam Research Fund – Cornerstone Research Seed Grants
The Killam Research Fund – Cornerstone Research Seed Grants support early-stage, investigator-driven research in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Alberta to build capacity for future external funding.
Funder: University of Alberta
Due Dates: July 3, 2026 (Summer intake) | November 6, 2026 (Fall intake)
Funding Amounts: Small Seed: $5,000–$10,000 | Large Seed: up to $30,000 | Max duration: 1 year
Summary: Supports early-stage, investigator-driven research—especially in Humanities and Social Sciences—to help projects grow into larger, externally funded programs.
Key Information: Only continuing paid faculty (typically tenure/tenure-track) are eligible; applications must propose research in Humanities or Social Sciences.
Description
The Killam Research Fund – Cornerstone Research Seed Grants at the University of Alberta are designed to foster innovative, investigator-driven research projects, primarily in the Humanities and Social Sciences, including fields such as Business, Education, Fine Arts, Indigenous Studies, and Law. These seed grants aim to enable researchers to launch new projects or distinct phases of existing research that can later compete for larger, external funding (e.g., SSHRC Insight Development or Insight Grants). The program aligns with the University’s and Killam Trusts’ priorities of research excellence, talent development, and advancing institutional research goals, with an emphasis on building research capacity and supporting interdisciplinary initiatives.
