Pilot Project Grant
Internal — Western Washington University only
Pilot Project Grant supports Western Washington University employees in launching research, creative work, and scholarship that can establish sustainable new directions with lasting disciplinary impact.
This grant was recently updated
The instructions now explicitly count the budget table within the 3-page narrative limit; previously, that limit referred only to the narrative. The submission instructions also now specify including the budget table with the narrative and CV in the single application PDF.
Funder: Western Washington University
Due Dates: October 14, 2026 (Fall) | January 27, 2027 (Winter) | April 21, 2027 (Spring)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 award for a 12-month term
Summary: Seeds early-stage research, creative work, and scholarship that can establish sustainable new directions at Western Washington University.
Key Information: Open to non-student WWU employees with formal university appointments; team eligibility rules apply only to the PI.
Description
Western Washington University’s Pilot Project Grant supports early-stage ideas with the potential to establish new, long-term directions in research, creative work, or scholarship. Administered through Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP), the program seeks to expand WWU’s scholarly and creative activities through new lines of inquiry with high disciplinary value and lasting impact. Applicants from all disciplines may compete, including fields not traditionally connected to sponsored research. Projects need not lead to external funding.
Supported activities include proof-of-principle work that redirects a PI’s research, planning meetings or site visits for significant ventures with outside partners, and preliminary data gathering for new interdisciplinary collaborations. The emphasis is on sustainable new work rather than ongoing activities or routine preliminary studies.
