ICRG Seed Grant

ICRG Seed Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: International Center for Responsible Gaming
Amount: Up to US $40,000
Last Updated: April 02, 2026

Summary

The ICRG Seed Grant supports innovative research aimed at understanding and treating gambling disorders. With a focus on pilot studies, secondary data analysis, and developing new methodologies, it encourages both established and early-career researchers to apply for funding up to $40,000. The grant emphasizes the importance of addressing critical issues in gambling research while ensuring the inclusion of diverse participant groups. This initiative aims to enhance public education and promote responsible gaming practices.

Overview

About ICRG As the gaming industry grows and evolves throughout the world, the powerful research of the International Center for Responsible Gaming is driving change and leading the field forward. For over nearly 25 years, we provided independent, peer-reviewed research that helps increase the understanding of gambling disorder and find effective methods of treatment. Our work is impacting public policy, strengthening responsible gaming and improving the health and well-being of the people and communities effected by the continued growth of the industry. Founded in 1996 as a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the ICRG’s mission is to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorder by supporting the finest peer-reviewed, scientific research into gambling disorder; encouraging the application of new research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies; and advancing public education about gambling disorder and responsible gaming. Nearly $40 million has been committed to the ICRG, through contributions from the casino gaming industry, equipment manufacturers, vendors, Native American casinos, related organizations and individuals. The funding chart below provides a detailed description of how the ICRG funds research. ICRG Seed Grant Seed Grants support a variety of research activities, such as: Pilot and feasibility studies Secondary analysis of existing data Small, self-contained research projects Development of research methodology Development of new research technology Applicants may request up to $40,000 in direct costs plus 15 percent Facilities and Administration costs for a period not to exceed 12 months. Criteria Significance - Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field?Investigator(s) - Are the Principal Investigator (PI), collaborators and other researchers well suited to the project? Innovation - Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation or interventions? Approach - Are the overall strategy, methodology and analyses well reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project? Environment - Will the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Additional Review Criteria In addition to the above criteria, the following items will be considered in the determination of scientific merit and the priority score: Protection of Human Subjects from Research Risk: The involvement of human subjects and protections from research risk relating to their participation in the proposed research will be assessed. Inclusion of Women, Minorities and Children in Research: The adequacy of plans to include subjects from both genders, all racial and ethnic groups (and subgroups), and children as appropriate for the scientific goals of the research will be assessed. Plans for the recruitment and retention of subjects will also be evaluated. Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals in Research: If vertebrate animals are to be used in the project, the five items described in PHS Form 398 research grant application instructions will be assessed. Biohazards: If materials or procedures are proposed that are potentially hazardous to research personnel and/or the environment, determine if the proposed protection is adequate. Additional Review Considerations Budget: The reasonableness of the proposed budget and the requested period of support in relation to the proposed research plan.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants:Domestic or international, public or private, non-profit or for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for NCRG funding. The Principal Investigator must have a PhD, MD, or other terminal degree. The NCRG encourages early career investigators to apply for a Seed Grant.Allowable Cost Items:Personnel - Allowable personnel expenses include salary and applicable fringe benefits for the PI, post-docs and graduate students (if they receive a salary) and other professional and technical staff. Consultant Costs - Identify consultants by name and estimate the number of days of service and rate of compensation.Study participants - Costs of recruitment (e.g., purchase of advertising), payments to subjects, patient care and other costs associated with the use of participants in the study.Facilities and Administration - Up to 15 percent of the total direct costs.Travel - NCRG grantees are required to present a poster at the annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction. Budget for travel to the conference in Las Vegas, Nev.

Ineligibility

Unallowable Cost Items:Administrative personnel Stipends Office equipment and furniture Tuition Dues and membership fees Maintenance/service contracts Construction, alteration, maintenance or rental of buildings or building space Recruiting/relocation expenses Entertainment/social expenses Pre-award costs