The McDonnell Academy leverages the power of its global network to advance collaborative research across disciplines and countries.
We believe collaboration is key to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges that cannot be solved by any single institution or country alone. Our faculty are engaged in impactful research in areas such as public health, social development, climate change, energy and environment.
The McDonnell Academy serves as a convener, incubator and catalyst of substantive research activities among partner institutions, WashU faculty, the St. Louis and global community, by establishing connections, cultivating new initiatives and sustaining collaborations.
2024-25 Global Seed Grants
20
New Projects Launched
$500K
Total Funding Awarded
Driving research through seed grant initiatives
The McDonnell Academy and WashU’s Global Incubator Seed Grants program aims to stimulate high-impact collaborative research in any discipline linking WashU faculty with international counterparts. Since its launch, the program has helped kickstart 87 new global research projects in more than 30 countries.
The McDonnell Academy supports collaborative research by contributing to the Global Seed Grants program and connecting researchers with additional funding opportunities from other sources.
Under the university’s Here & Next Strategic Plan, several additional seed funding programs are also available to support interdisciplinary research activities at WashU from concept and team development to securing external funding.
“The projects are selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, and embody the priorities outlined under the research vertical of the Here and Next Strategic Plan.”
Vijay K. Ramani, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs
Research highlights
2024 Global Incubator Seed Grants Awarded
A total of 20 projects won, allowing research examining a whole host of issues, from the cyber defense of medical devices to the impacts of affordable housing on physical activity and health in Brazil. Funding for this year’s cycle is made possible with support from the Office of the Provost, the “Here and Next” strategic plan, and the Millard family gift to the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. By the numbers
When available, seed funding is distributed through open calls for applications. Seed grants typically support research projects that involve at least one collaborator from WashU and international collaborators from the McDonnell Academy’s collaborative network.
A number of other resources help identify and manage new funding opportunities for Washington University researchers. Please visit the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research for more information.
2024 Global Incubator Seed Grants Awarded
Seeds of Impact
Global health seed grants funded
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