Purpose:
This series of programs throughout AY 2026-27 will support Faculty Collaborative Research Teams as they seek external funding to support their research goals. This program is designed to support faculty research teams 1) identify appropriate funding agencies and learn how to engage with program officers throughout the development of grant proposals, 2) conceive, plan, and write grant proposals and 3) submit major grant proposals for extramural funding within the next 18 months.
Eligibility:
Each proposing team must include at least one CASSHE (Creative Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, Education) faculty member. The additional collaborator(s) may be from any academic department at UCSB and/or from external institutions, including from STEM disciplines and departments.
Description of Activities in 2025-26 Academic Year
October 2026: Call for Proposals opens for the 2027 Collaborative Research Seed Grant
The AVC of Research has allocated seed funding and Office of Research staff time in order to support collaborative teams as they develop their grant proposals.
Collaborative teams interested in having a structured, supported space to develop their grant proposal are encouraged to apply to be part of the 2027 Collaborative Retreat Series. Applicants will be required to submit a) a one-page project abstract, b) documentation that a program officer at the prospective funding agency has indicated interest in the proposed research project, or a plan to request feedback on a research synopsis from a program officer at the prospective funding agency, c) dates for their research team writing retreats during the 2027 Winter and Spring Quarters, and d) a budget describing how they intend to use the $5000 seed funding to develop their grant proposal.
Teams awarded seed grant funding are expected to participate in the 2027 Collaborative Faculty Team Retreat series.
October 30, 2026: Collaborative Research Funding Retreat
9:30 AM – 3 PM ● Loma Pelona Conference Center, UCSB
Register Here to attend this retreat no later than October 22, 2026.
This retreat provides an opportunity for Faculty Collaborative Research Teams to 1) identify funding calls that will support their research, 2) begin to draft a grant proposal abstract, and 3) learn how to reach out to program officers at funding agencies to ensure fit between your research goals and their funding priorities.
Faculty interested in seed grant funding and continuing to be a part of the 2027 Faculty Collaborative Research Retreat Series should apply by November 20, 2026 (details above).
November 20, 2026: Short Application due for seed funding program
December 7- December 11, 2026: Notification of seed funding awards
Collaborative Faculty Team Retreats I and II
Seed grant awardees and their collaborative research teams will take part in these retreats.*
One retreat will be held during Winter quarter and a second will be held during the Spring quarter, with specific dates scheduled in consultation with participating faculty. Requested retreat dates should be indicated in the seed grant application. These retreats are designed to provide structured time and space for faculty research teams, to offer the resources of OR as faculty work on their grant proposals, and to help faculty develop a feasible timeline towards submission of funding applications by December 2026.
*OR will help organize and fund the costs associated with room rental and catering for 2, one-day, writing retreats at UCSB for your research team.
Contact
Melissa Bator (mjb@ucsb.edu), Strategic Research Initiatives Associate Director