Spark Funding Seed Grant FAQs

SF: Proposal Development Track

The opportunity for which I am requesting support requires an LOI or is limited by the sponsor. Can I still apply for SF: Proposal Development funds?  

Yes, you may, but you must identify back-up opportunities to which you will apply if not selected to submit a full proposal or to be WashU’s institutional applicant. You should also explain how the work completed will support that back up proposal.  

I don’t have a specific opportunity in mind, can I still apply for a Proposal Development grant?  

No, applicants must have a targeted opportunity to which they are applying in order to be eligible.  

Can research/project support be requested for a SF: Proposal Track?  

Generally, no. However, if the project support is critical to the proposal, the applicants may request it in their proposal. This support must be well-justified, however. In the application, applicants should explain why the project support is necessary for success, how the work will impact the proposal, and how they will complete that work within the time constraints of the proposal development grant. (Applicants are required to submit the external proposal by the end of their period of performance, usually 9 months after award.) 

How long does it take to get a decision for Proposal Development Grants?  

We expect Proposal Development Grants to be timely, thus we hope to make decisions quickly, usually within a month of submission.

SF: Convening Track

What is the SF: Convening Track?

This track helps teams turn their initial ideas into actionable plans. Within a
maximum of 9 months, teams will create a conceptual deliverable, such as a white paper, funding roadmap, or concept note, to prepare for a larger research initiative focused on sustainability and targeted external funding.

What are the restrictions on the use of Convening funds?

This track is designed for developing collaboration pathways, rather than functioning as direct project support. Convening funds should not be used in support of regular meetings of national professional organizations. See Spark Funding CFP for more information.

Spark Funding: Pop-Up Initiative Grant

What is a Pop-Up Initiative?  

We define Pop-Up Initiatives as collaborative projects that are early in their development that will have a large impact upon the WashU research ecosystem. We expect the co-PIs to clearly explain the work that is being initiated through this Pop-Up. In general, this grant is meant to support researchers in the early-stage of a project so that they have the time and effort covered to lay the groundwork for larger actions.  

I would like to hold my initiative over a non-summer month, can I do so?  

No, at this time all work must be done over the summer months. The goal is for PIs to dedicate one-summer month of their time to developing the initiative in a short burst of activity, and that is not possible during the academic year.

What deliverables are Initiatives expected to produce?  

Examples of work that can be produced by Pop-Up Initiatives include, but are not limited to, white-papers; funding roadmaps; outlining a short-term project that will need external funding dollars; laying the groundwork for long-term research partnerships that will increase research excellence and funding at WashU; and determining new ways to share data amongst traditionally siloed groups within WashU.