Research Seed Grants
Seed Money Grants Options
The program aims to encourage innovative, high-quality joint research projects that will strengthen academic collaboration between BGU and FAU and serve as a foundation for future external funding applications and long-term partnerships.
The areas of focus are: i) AI and Connected Autonomy, ii) AI and Robotics, iii) AI and Cybersecurity, iv) AI and Genomics, v) Quantum Computing and Algorithms, and vi) Control of Multi-Agent Systems, as well as any related area.
Proposals should demonstrate how the team’s combined expertise will advance knowledge, foster innovation, and generate measurable impact in these priority areas. It is expected that successful teams will submit an external grant application within 18 months of receiving the award.
FUNDING
- Grants of up to $30,000 per project (split evenly between institutions). The number of funded projects depends on availability of funds.
- Funds may be used to support early-stage collaborative research activities, including:
- Faculty and research staff mobility between the institutions
- Pilot studies and preliminary research activities
- Joint workshops, meetings, or symposia
Preparation of joint applications for competitive external funding.
All applications must be submitted by the FAU faculty using this link by 12:00 noon EST, September 1, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
Proposals must be submitted jointly by one Principal Investigator from BGU and one Principal Investigator from FAU.
- Both Principal Investigators must be full-time faculty members at their respective institutions
- Faculty may participate in multiple proposals but may only serve as lead PI on one application.
- Funding allocations may cover stipends for students, materials, supplies, small research equipment (under $5,000), and costs related to mutual visits between the two institutions. No indirect costs are permitted.
- Deliverables include:
- A 2-page final report on the activities, significant results, and achievements.
- A seminar to present the activities and outcomes to the BGU and FAU community.
- External grant application within 18 months of receiving the seed award.
Proposals from all academic disciplines are eligible.
APPLICATION PACKET
The application packet should be a single PDF file and include the following:
- Cover page (1 page): Include the project title, the two Principal Investigators (PIs) and list of the additional participating researchers with the ranks of the PIs and the researchers, the colleges/departments, contact information, roles of each researcher, and the project timeline.
- The principal idea of the proposed project, roles of each PI, and the project timeline (up to 2 pages).
- Itemized budget and justification (1 page): Provide a detailed budget that includes justification for each item.
Short resume (1 page) for each researcher.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information, please contact:
FAU:
Javad Hashemi, PhD
Chair, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Associate Dean for Research
Administrator, Link Ocean Engineering and Instrumentation Program
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Florida Atlantic University
BGU:
Amos Beimel, PhD
Vice Dean for Research
Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
