Cottrell SEED: Exceptional Opportunities Grant

Cottrell SEED: Exceptional Opportunities Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Research Corporation
Amount: Up to US $60,000
Last Updated: January 30, 2026

Summary

The Cottrell SEED: Exceptional Opportunities grant supports high-impact research activities for Cottrell Scholars and Holland Award recipients. It encourages innovative projects at primarily undergraduate institutions, with a maximum award of $60,000. The initiative aims to advance existing research to new levels of innovation and impact. Eligible applicants include those six years post-Cottrell Scholar Award, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Preference is given to proposals in Physics and Astronomy in odd years, while Chemistry is prioritized in even years.

Overview

NOTE: The deadline includes approval by the institution’s Authorized Organizational Representative  (AOR), so allow ample time to route through your Office of Sponsored Projects. Research Corporation for Science Advancement Mission The Mission of Research Corporation for Science Advancement is to advance early stage, high potential, basic scientific research. RCSA provides catalytic funding for research and sponsors conferences to support: An engaged community of early career facultyInnovative ideas for basic researchIntegration of research and science teachingInterdisciplinary researchBuilding the academic leadership of the future Strategic Priorities To advance our mission, RCSA is working to: Further develop and strengthen RCSA’s two core programs, Cottrell Scholars and Scialog, which build on its 100-year legacy of supporting innovative basic research in the physical sciences.Leverage partnerships and scientific community building to maximize impact and exercise flexibility to embrace unanticipated opportunities to support innovative research in the physical sciences.Help ensure the future of science is innovative and impactful by welcoming, engaging, and nurturing the brightest minds from the widest range of backgrounds, institutions, and life experiences Cottrell Scholar Program The Cottrell Scholar (CS) program champions the very best early career teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy by providing significant discretionary awards for research. Nurturing an interdisciplinary community of outstanding scientific/educational/academic leaders, the CS program fosters synergy among faculty at major U.S. and Canadian research universities and primarily undergraduate institutions. Outstanding candidates are admitted to the ranks of Cottrell Scholars through a stringent peer-review process based on their innovative research proposals and educational programs. Cottrell Scholars engage in an annual networking event, providing them an opportunity to share insights and expertise through the Cottrell Scholar Collaborative. Although the Cottrell Scholar Award is the entry point to this interdisciplinary community, the program supports Scholars throughout their academic careers with competitive Cottrell Plus awards. Maintaining an active, multigenerational community of academic scientists is a unique aspect of the Cottrell Scholar program. Research Corporation for Science Advancement fosters a welcoming and respectful environment for listening in which the different identities, backgrounds, and perspectives of all participants are valued, and in which everyone is empowered to share ideas as fellow scientists. Cottrell SEED Award (Singular Exceptional Endeavors of Discovery) The Cottrell SEED award is designed to support the members of the Cottrell Scholar community (Cottrell Scholar and Holland Award recipients) as they launch high-impact research activities. There are two types of SEED submissions: New Research Directions and Exceptional Opportunities. Exceptional Opportunities This submission type is to advance existing research projects to higher levels of innovation and impact at PUIs. Preliminary results are expected along with an explanation of how this work has high potential for exciting results that could then attract funding from other sources. Available to Cottrell Scholars and Holland Awardees at non-doctoral departments. Award size is up to $60,000 for research projects, which includes an indirect cost allowance of 10% of total direct costs.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Cottrell Scholar applicants must be at least six years beyond the year of their Cottrell Scholar Award. For this year's competition, eligibility is limited to Cottrell Scholars who received their award in 2018 or earlier and hold faculty appointments in the United States or Canada.Holland Awardees are eligible to apply, regardless of the year of their award.Proposals with multiple principal investigators may be submitted, provided that ALL principal investigators are eligible to apply and the requested amount for direct costs does not exceed a total of $54,545. If you are planning to submit collaborative proposals, please contact us for submission details.Eligibility is limited to one SEED application per Cottrell Scholar per year.

Ineligibility

No submissions are accepted from those with active SEED awards.