Cottrell SEED Award

The Cottrell SEED Award (Singular Exceptional Endeavors of Discovery) provides two-year research grants to members of the Cottrell Scholar community (Cottrell Scholars and Holland Award recipients) to launch high-impact research activities. There are two submission tracks: New Research Directions (risk-taking, exploratory projects; Chemistry only in 2026) and Exceptional Opportunities (advance existing projects, preference to Chemistry in 2026). Awards for research projects are $60,000 and include a 10% indirect cost allowance; funds may be used for personnel, supplies, facility access and other project-related expenses.

Two-year research grant of $60,000 (includes 10% indirect costs) and allowance to cover personnel, supplies, facility access, certain travel and equipment as described.

Eligible applicants are members of the Cottrell Scholar community: Cottrell Scholars and Holland Awardees. Cottrell Scholar applicants must be at least six years beyond their Cottrell Scholar Award and for the 2026 competition must have received their award in 2019 or earlier and hold faculty appointments in the United States or Canada. Holland Awardees are eligible regardless of award year. One application per Cottrell Scholar per year; no submissions from those with active SEED awards.

Proposals require title, keywords, abstract, current and pending support, publications (last five years), a three-page research plan (plus references), budget and justification (for Exceptional Opportunities), letters of collaboration, list of six suggested reviewers, and AOR approval; final submission to RCSA via its grants management system. Eligible applicants were emailed instructions for applying.