Proposal timeline for the 2024-2025 academic year:

● Proposals are due on or before Friday May 17, 2024
Fund information:
● Seed funding is available up to $25,000 for projects closely aligned with our vision.
● Allocated funds can be used for research salaries, student support, meetings, and other relevant
costs.
● All proposals should have a duration not to exceed 12 months, and must provide project mid-term
and final reports summarizing results and any proposal plans for external support.
● Rice University PI awardees are required to initiate a record in Cayuse and follow the guidelines
for University Funded Research Awards.
● Announcements of the seed grant awardees will be publicized through a variety of media.

Eligibility:

● Proposals must address research areas that advance the space mission of RSI.
● Group-led proposals are favored. Collaborations, especially those extending beyond Rice
University, that mirror our vision, are encouraged.
● A primary goal for applicants should be the drafting and submission of a substantial proposal.
● Every proposal must encapsulate a clear and impactful research theme.
● The principal investigator must be Rice University full-time research faculty and have an
association with the Rice Space Institute.
● Both individual and team submissions are acceptable.
● Potential for external partnerships, especially those reinforcing RSI’s vision, are preferred.
Review process:
Review of proposals will be conducted by the RSI faculty steering committee and will evaluate the
proposals based on:
● Practical feasibility.
● Potential to lead to external funding.
● Resonance with the Rice Space Institute's vision to expand our understanding of the Universe and
our presence within it.

How to apply:

Potential candidates should channel their seed funding proposals through the designated webform.
Proposals must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. A project description of no more than four pages (in 12-point type), including figures;
2. An expense budget indicating how the requested funds will be expended;
3. Metrics defining success
4. A biosketch for each contributing applicant of no more than two pages;
5. A concise (1-page) strategy outlining the path to larger funding, pinpointing essential milestones
and actions.

Submissions are due Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11:59 pm. Awards will be announced in early June, 2024. Apply here