MIT Research Grants
Internal — Massachusetts Institute of Technology only
MIT Research Grants support MIT investigators pursuing early-stage water and food research to establish proof of concept, generate critical data, and advance security, safety, and sustainability worldwide.
Funder: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Due Dates: November 25, 2025 (2026 cycle LOI) | January 30, 2026 (2026 cycle full proposal) | November 18, 2026 (2027 cycle LOI) | January 19, 2027 (2027 cycle full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Seed grants: up to $75,000 annually for one to two years, up to $150,000 total; eight projects anticipated for 2027
Summary: J-WAFS supports MIT principal investigators developing innovative research to address water and food challenges worldwide.
Key Information: Lead applicants must be MIT professors or MIT research staff with principal investigator privileges.
Description
The Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) supports MIT research addressing water and food sector challenges worldwide. Its seed grants fund new, innovative, early-stage projects that can establish proof of concept, gather critical data for future funding, or deliver a significant outcome without subsequent awards. Projects intended to produce real-world impact are favored.
The program welcomes research across fundamental science, engineering, technology, supply chains, data analytics, business models, economics, development, climate, and urban infrastructure. Work may address water and food security, safety, and sustainability for human use in developed or developing countries. Interdisciplinary projects, regional or international collaborations, cross-school MIT teams, and relevant industry interactions are encouraged. Junior faculty are encouraged to apply, and previous or currently funded J-WAFS investigators remain eligible.
