RI-NEST Seed Grant Program
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RI-NEST Seed Grant Program supports Rhode Island academic researchers developing original, use-inspired research to address state issues, build creative partnerships, and pursue follow-on funding.
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Funder: Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 for faculty, eligible research staff, and postdoctoral fellows; up to $7,500 for full-time PhD students, including required overhead
Summary: Supports original, use-inspired Rhode Island academic research with strong potential for follow-on funding and creative partnerships.
Key Information: All research activities and listed collaborators must be based in Rhode Island.
Description
Rhode Island NSF EPSCoR’s Rhode Island Network for Excellence in Science and Technology (RI-NEST) Seed Grant Program supports original academic research with high potential for follow-on funding. It helps researchers develop budding ideas, work with new colleagues, and build creative partnerships among academia, community groups, and industry. The program serves institutions of higher education across Rhode Island and emphasizes use-inspired research addressing issues within the state.
Projects must connect to at least one core theme or cross-cutting capability of Rhode Island’s Science and Technology Action Plan. The program favors government, industry, NGO, and community partnerships, alongside work supporting Indigenous interests, tribal student success, public science communication, K–12 STEAM participation, coastal resilience, aquaculture, and blue economy or workforce development. Collaboration is preferred, but not required for seed grants.
