Trienens Institute Research Seed Grants
Seed grants from Northwestern's Trienens Institute support faculty research launching new directions in sustainability and energy, emphasizing climate, resilience, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Funder: Northwestern University
Due Dates: September 1, 2026 | March 1, 2027 | September 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $85,000 per seed grant; total FY24 pool was $725,000; typically 1-year duration.
Summary: Supports Northwestern faculty affiliates in launching innovative, multidisciplinary research in sustainability and energy.
Key Information: Applicants must be Trienens Institute Faculty Affiliates; semiannual deadlines.
Description
The Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern University offers research seed grants to advance new, high-impact research directions in sustainability and energy. These grants are intended to help faculty affiliates develop, test, and refine new hypotheses, generate initial data, and foster partnerships that can lead to subsequent external funding. Proposals should address one or more of the institute’s primary research priorities, such as climate and decarbonization, ecosystems and resilience, energy and infrastructure, markets and public policy, society and global change, or sustainable materials. The program encourages multidisciplinary and cross-school collaboration, with a focus on the thematic thrusts of climate and energy transition and resilient communities.
