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  4. Notre Dame-São Paulo State University Seed Grant Program

Notre Dame-São Paulo State University Seed Grant Program

Open for applications: November 1, 2025; Application Deadline: January 31, 2026 (23:59 EST)

Submit an Application (English only)

The University of Notre Dame du Lac (ND), USA and São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil are delighted to announce the ND-UNESP Seed Grant Program. Through this jointly funded, jointly advertised program both institutions are inviting proposals for joint research projects with the potential to both achieve international recognition and to generate continued external research funds for both partners. Project selection for the Seed Grant Program will be competitive and made jointly by ND and UNESP.

Funding and Awards

  • Joint awards up to a total of $30,000 (R$150,000) will be made for each joint research project, with each project investigator being funded by their respective institution
  • It is expected to award up to 2 projects
  • The funding will be available for joint research projects of between 12 months to 24 months duration
  • The ND-UNESP Seed Grant projects can run anytime during the period from 1 June 2026 and 1 July 2028
  • Unspent funds at the end of the award period will be returned to the awarding institution

Eligibility

  • Applicants at both ND and UNESP must be regular full-time faculty.
  • Projects incorporating graduate research students are welcomed.
  • While faculty at both institutions can apply for both the ND-UNESP Seed Grant Program and the ND-UNESP Travel Grant program, an award may only be made in one category.

Criteria and Outcomes

Proposals from all disciplines and or thematic areas are welcomed.

Plans for international dissemination of the research output should be outlined in the proposal with the following outcomes considered optimal:

  • Co-Publication(s)
  • An application to an external funding body
    • The anticipated external funding body
    • The anticipated value of the current grant application and anticipated research output to that external funding application
    • Time frame for submission to that external funding body

Other measurable outcomes or impacts are encouraged as relevant to the discipline(s). Co-supervision of doctoral theses while not considered a primary outcome is welcomed.

Proposals should be in keeping with the strategic plans of both institutions:

University of Notre Dame Strategic Framework    UNESP Institutional Development Plan

Expenses

Each institution will support its own researchers involved in the research project. Full details of all anticipated costs/activities must be clearly itemized and as follows:

  • A clear breakdown of expected costs by institution must be provided in the budget. Awarded funds cannot be transferred between universities
  • The budget plan should indicate spending over the full duration of the proposed project
  • Budget justification will be required, which includes being frugal with budget requests so that value for money is ensured.

Eligible Expenses

  • Consumable costs for a proof-of-principle study:
    • Equipment and supplies purchased by a university becomes the property of that university
  • Payment to human subjects:
    • Approval of payment and/or incentives is dependent on Compliance Review and approval at both institutions
  • Travel expenses* for faculty and students to meet, plan research and review research results
  • Costs associated with organizing meetings and workshops (e.g., rooms, catering, etc.)
  • Personnel:
    • Partial Notre Dame graduate student stipend and benefits (graduate student assistants must be involved in the faculty fellow’s collaborative research and writing in ways that contribute to the student’s intellectual formation). Please note that at ND you must allow approximately an additional 13.5% in the budget for fringe benefits for graduate students.
    • UNESP may also include funding towards the inclusion of a graduate student in accordance with the policies of UNESP. 

Ineligible Expenses

  • Computers***
  • Faculty Salary
  • Teaching buy-out
  • Business start-up costs
  • Tuition fees

*For budgeting purposes, the average cost of accommodation (per room per night) is $165 at Notre Dame and R$300 in São Paulo. Flights between Indiana (ND) and São Paulo vary in cost throughout the year but are on average around $1400 per person (return) when booked in advance.

*AT ND, reimbursement for meals and incidental travel expenses will be made in accordance with these per diem allowances:

  • 1-14 days - UP TO 75% of US State Dept per diem
  • 15+ days - UP TO 50% of US State Dept per diem

How to Apply

Applications are to be prepared jointly and submitted in English by either the ND Principal Investigator or the UNESP Principal Investigator, through NDG's Online Application system.

To initiate the proposal development effort for the Seed Grant Program, Notre Dame faculty and UNESP faculty must take the lead in reaching out to each other in their area of expertise.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Each investigator's CV, from both institutions, must be submitted in the FAPESP CV FORMAT.
  • The proposed budget is to be submitted and uploaded separately using the provided budget template below and justification for requests will be required.

SAMPLE ND-UNESP Seed Grant Application   ND-UNESP Seed Grant Budget Template

Application Timeline

  • Launch: November 1, 2025
  • Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Selection Panel: February 2026
  • Notifications expected: April 2026
  • Projects start: Between 1 June 2026 - 1 July 2026 (a delay could occur for a project if the Compliance Reviews at one or both institutions necessitates longer time)
  • Maximum project length: 2 years

Selection Process

Proposals will be jointly evaluated by a senior faculty panel from both ND and UNESP.

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

  • Academic quality of the proposed joint research including scope, significance, originality and value for money
  • Importance of funding for the anticipated future success of external funding grant applications
  • Clarity of goals, including the potential external funding source(s) and time frame for submission
  • Alignment with the strategic goals of both universities

Reporting Requirements

A Project Completion Report must be completed by award holders upon completion of the work defined in the funding application. Submissions to external funding agencies are to be reported and provided to the contacts at the respective institutions.

FOR 2-YEAR PROJECTS:

  • A progress report is due at the end of the first year; and,
  • A progress report is expected and a project completion report must be completed by the project leaders at the end of the funding period

Contact

For more information, please contact:

University of Notre Dame

Geraldine Meehan
Senior Director, Faculty Engagement and Global Research
Notre Dame Global
Email: gmeehan@nd.edu

São Paulo State University

Patricia Reis
Assistant Provost for International Affairs
AREX - Office for International Affairs
Email: patricia.reis@unesp.br

The University of Notre Dame du Lac (ND), USA and São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil Seed Grant Program is contingent upon ND and UNESP entering into a mutually acceptable written agreement.