2026 Seed Grant Program
Funding Amount
$50,000 - $100,000
Deadline
July 1, 2026
84 days left
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
2026 Seed Grant Program
Funder: Sky Foundation Inc (Michigan, US)
Mission: Support early-stage, innovative research that advances the field of pancreatic cancer by providing initial funding to researchers to generate preliminary data and strengthen competitiveness for larger national grants (e.g., NIH).
Funding Tracks
- Track 1 - Collaborative Grants: Up to $100,000 for proposals including at least one Michigan-based institution
- Track 2 - Individual Seed Grants: Generally $50,000 for any research institution in the United States
Note: Awards based on strength, innovation, and impact of proposals regardless of collaborative vs. individual structure.
- United States only
- Work must be conducted in the United States
- Michigan-based institutions particularly encouraged for collaborative proposals
Geographic Scope
Research Focus Areas
All research must focus on pancreatic cancer. Supported areas include:
Key Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Requirements:
Eligible Researcher Categories:
Institutional Requirements:
Project Requirements:
- Indirect costs
- Overhead not part of direct costs
- Research not focused on pancreatic cancer
What They Don't Fund
- Collaborations with senior scientists in advisory/mentorship roles viewed favorably
- Applicants must disclose any overlap with existing support
- If applicant changes institutions during application or funding period, Sky Foundation must be notified and award may be subject to review
- Returning applicants must supplement Bio Sketch and Other Support documents with new information
Special Considerations
- Grantees must submit brief public progress reports every six months
- Awardees invited into growing Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) reviewer pool for future grant cycles
Post-Award Requirements
- Applications reviewed by Sky Foundation's Scientific Advisory Committee (experts in pancreatic cancer research and treatment)
- Evaluated on: scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and potential impact
- SAC submits funding recommendations to Sky Foundation's Governing Board for final approval
- All applicants receive feedback whether funded or not
- Decisions shared by September 2026
Review Process
- Address: 33 Bloomfield Hills Parkway Suite 275, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
- PO Box 1780, Birmingham, Michigan 48012
- Phone: 248.385.5143
- Email: Annie@SkyFoundationInc.org or ADalton@SkyFoundationInc.org
Contact Information
Sky Foundation Inc- Michigan-based nonprofit organization
- 501(c)(3) charitable organization
- Funded entirely by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations
- Over one million dollars in seed funding awarded since inception
About Sky Foundation
How to Apply
Application Process & Materials
#### Submission Deadline
July 1, 2026 (all submissions)
#### Required Application Materials
1. Project Abstract (300 words or less)
- Must contain sufficient information to explain the project and its relevance to pancreatic cancer
- Include 3-5 key words or phrases describing the application
2. Research Plan (3 pages maximum)
- Must include sections on:
- Specific Aims
- Background and Significance
- Preliminary Data
- Proposed Studies and Methods
- File naming convention: "Last Name, First Name_RESEARCH PLAN"
3. Bio Sketch and Other Support (4 pages maximum per investigator)
- Must be submitted in NIH format
- Required for Principal Investigator and all other investigators listed
- Returning applicants must supplement with updated information if applicable
- Must clearly detail any overlap with other funding sources
- File naming convention: "Last Name, First Name_BIO SKETCH"
4. Budget Justification (300 words or less)
- Brief justification for:
- Salary support
- Supplies
- Equipment
- Budget must be inclusive for direct costs only
- Total must equal requested funding amount ($50,000 or $100,000)
5. Budget Proposal
- Include information on:
- Personnel (salaries, benefits)
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Miscellaneous
- Total must equal funding request amount
- File upload required
6. Institutional Support Letter
- Letter of support from Institution's Research Representative
- Must include Principal Investigator signature at bottom
- Must confirm institution's responsibility to ensure activities funded comply with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines
- File naming convention: "Last Name, First Name_SUPPORT"
#### Application Form Fields (Required Information)
Applicant Information:
Project Information:
- $50,000 Seed Grant – National Application
- $100,000 – Joint Application (Michigan research collaboration)
Principal Investigator Information:
Institution Official Information:
Additional Questions:
#### Submission Format
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
Categories
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