STaRS (Science and Technology Research Seed) Grant
The STaRS Grant from STRIVE Vermont funds early-stage STEM research to strengthen Vermont’s scientific ecosystem and boost research capacity at underfunded institutions.
Funder: STRIVE Vermont
Due Dates: October 15, 2026 (Cycle 2) | March 15, 2027 (Cycle 1)
Funding Amounts: Up to $15,000 per award; 3–5 awards per year; 12-month funding period
Summary: Funds early-stage STEM research projects in Vermont to strengthen the state's research ecosystem and support underfunded institutions.
Key Information: Proposals must be Vermont-based; only one proposal per applicant per cycle.
Description
The STaRS (Science and Technology Research Seed) Grant from STRIVE Vermont provides seed funding to catalyze early-stage, faculty- or researcher-led STEM projects that will strengthen Vermont’s research ecosystem. The grant is designed to support historically underfunded institutions, small organizations, and Vermont-based small businesses by enabling preliminary research that lays the groundwork for future proposals to major external funders (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOE). The program aims to expand statewide research capacity, foster collaborations among Vermont’s diverse academic and research institutions, and directly benefit the state’s STEM workforce and educational environment.
