CPSH Seed Grant Program 2021

Deadline: March 1, 2021.

The Center for Planetary Systems Habitability (CPSH) is soliciting applications for funding under our 2021 seed grant program. The program is designed to fund new or expanded research opportunities that will enhance the strategic goals of the center. There is up to $100k available (total) to fund seed projects that are expected to lead to future proposal opportunities to external funding agencies, to be submitted through CPSH. We encourage CPSH members at the postdoc or more senior levels to apply. Student participation is also welcome, with a senior mentor as the lead. In this year’s program, the seed grant funding will go to UT based CPSH members, but we also encourage collaborative research with external CPSH partners.

The proposals will be evaluated by the CPSH executive committee. Our evaluation criteria include:

  • Research programs that fall under the strategic goals of the CPSH (https://habitability.utexas.edu/about-2/about/)
  • While not required, programs that develop or enhance interdisciplinary research will be viewed favorably.
  • Funds can be allocated to support: partial or matching funds for graduate student or postdoctoral researchers; development of hardware or software products to enable habitability research; travel support; equipment; and limited salary for students and/or postdocs. The 2020 seed-grant awards averaged in the $10-30K range.
  • Demonstration that the proposed work will lead to research proposals to external funding agencies or foundations that will be run through CPSH.

To apply, please submit a proposal to the CPSH (via email to cpsh_ec@utlists.utexas.edu) before 5:00PM (CST), Monday, March 1, 2021.

Please include the following information:

Title:

Investigator(s):

Proposal (4 pages total: up to 3 pages for science justification, including figures and references and 1 page for budget and schedule) including:

  1. Rationale and Vision
  2. Justification
  3. External funding landscape
  4. Top-level budget, budget justification, and schedule

After review, we will select one or more proposals for seed grant funding. Our goal is to complete the evaluation by March 2021.