Seed Grants

Read the complete guidelines: Seed Grant Guidelines

To foster innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in aging research, thereby advancing the field's knowledge base, and promoting the inclusion of diverse researchers. Specifically:

• To stimulate the development of research collaborations between UMB and UCR, leveraging the unique strengths, resources, and perspectives of each institution to enhance the quality and impact of aging research.

• To broaden participation in aging research by encouraging applications from researchers of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of expertise, thereby enriching the field with a variety of perspectives and approaches.

• To support innovative research projects in aging that introduce novel concepts, challenge existing paradigms, or provide new insights into key aspects of aging.

The following types of research projects are eligible for Seed Grant funding (not mutually exclusive):

• Interdisciplinary Collaborative Projects: Projects that bring together researchers from different disciplines within UMB and UCR, focusing on innovative approaches to aging research. This could include collaborations between clinical researchers, social scientists, public health experts, and bench scientists.

• Comparative and International Research: Initiatives that leverage the unique policies and geographical and cultural contexts of the US and Costa Rica. Projects could focus on comparative studies of aging populations in both countries. For example, assessing differences/or similarities in aging processes, healthcare systems, health outcomes, and social support structures.

• Community-Engaged Research: Proposals that involve community partners, such as nonprofits, advocacy groups, and public agencies, in the research process. This might include participatory research methodologies, where community members are actively involved in the design and implementation of the study.

• Pilot Studies for Larger Research Initiatives: Pilot projects can help in testing new ideas, methods, or interventions in the field of aging and provide critical preliminary data for further funding.

• Cross-Cultural Methodology Development: Research focused on developing or refining methodologies that are sensitive to cultural differences, which can be used in international and comparative aging research.

• Data Sharing and Integration Projects: Proposals aimed at integrating or sharing data between UMB and UCR, to facilitate larger, more comprehensive studies on aging. This might involve harmonizing existing data sets or developing new tools for data collection and analysis.

• Public Health and Epidemiological Studies: Research that looks at the broader public health implications of aging, such as studies on the prevalence of age-related diseases, healthcare utilization among the elderly, or the impact of aging populations on health systems.

• Behavioral and Psychosocial Research: Studies examining the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of aging. This could include research on mental health, cognitive function, social networks, and the impact of aging on quality of life.

• Policy-Oriented Research: Projects aimed at informing policy decisions related to aging populations. This might involve analyzing existing policies or proposing new policy frameworks based on research findings.

Awardees may propose specific methodologies based on project characteristics. Researchers may utilize various methodological designs such as quantitative (cross-sectional or longitudinal), qualitative, case series, policy analysis, experimental, mixed methods, ethnographic, and systematic reviews.

In addition to considering the above-mentioned types of research projects, the Seed Grant reviewers will consider proposals that include:

• Facilitation of partner meetings

• Key partner identification

• Training and capacity building for community partners

• Training and capacity building for academic partners

• Addressing the needs of underserved populations

• The budget must be divided into costs allocated to UMB and costs allocated to UCR. Use of funds must comply with the regulations of the institution holding the funds.

• Up to $50,000 for 12 months.

• The budget must be divided into costs allocated to UMB and costs allocated to UCR. Use of funds must comply with the regulations of the institution holding the funds.

• Indirect costs/Overhead: no indirect costs are allowed at UMB, but UCR requires 8% overhead of the amount allocated to UCR.

• Salary Support: Salary support may be included for UCR and UMB faculty-level members and research staff (no more than 30% of the total budget allocated among UCR and UMB faculty as agreed to by the applicants). Note: for UCR researchers, any amount in this category will be called "salary supplement" rather than "salary support."

• Allowable Expenses: Stipend for external contractors or community partners in Costa Rica or the US; travel costs to Costa Rica or US, lodging, catering, supplies, facility use fees, activity costs such as research training for partners, and other expenses required to develop the partnership.

• Unallowable Expenses: Tuition, purchase of office or laboratory furniture, phone services, and professional membership fees.

• The Seed Grant must be exhausted within 12 months of the grant period. AYY leadership will meet with investigators throughout the project period to monitor progress. If a request for a no-cost extension has not been requested by the eighth month of the grant period, project activities will cease at the end of 12 months, and any remaining funds will be returned to the AYY Initiative.

• Funds cannot be encumbered for future use or transferred to another project, researcher, or expense.

• Limited to one award per faculty per 12 months.

The eligibility criteria for the Seed Grant program differs between UMB and UCR. As such, prospective applicants are advised to carefully review and understand the distinct policies and guidelines set forth below.

Eligibility Criteria for UMB Faculty

• The PI needs to be Faculty at Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor level with a minimum 51% FTE appointment at one of the seven UMB schools, regardless of tenure track.

• Research Associates/Instructors, undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply and cannot be listed as co-PIs or co-investigators. However, they may be listed in other roles in the proposal.

• Adjunct or visiting faculty are not eligible to apply as investigators but may be listed in other roles in the proposal.

• Lead PI or Co-PI cannot serve on multiple applications in the same round.

• Applicants must have experience in aging research or have an interest – stated clearly in the proposal – for transitioning into aging research.

• Proficiency in Spanish is desired but not required.

Eligibility Criteria for UCR Faculty

• Must hold at least a half-time faculty appointment at UCR.

• Applicant’s appointment status may be tenure-track, or interim with a continuous appointment.

• Must have participated in other UCR-sponsored projects (regular or competitive), at minimum as a Research Associate.

• Applicants must have experience in aging research or have an interest – stated clearly in the proposal – for venturing into aging research.

• All UCR researchers who are part of the proposal and have other projects, either as a principal investigator or collaborator, must be up to date with the submission of partial and final project reports to the Vicerrectoría de Investigación; otherwise, the project will not be accepted for evaluation.

Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with AYY leadership, before submission of an application to discuss seed funding proposals. A consultation can include identification of partners and projects as well as project design and plans for implementation.

Please email Michelle Sullivan to arrange a consultation.

• Applications Open                 March 1, 2026
• Applications Due                   June 1, 2026
• Grantees Notified                  July 1, 2026
• 6-Month Start Up                  July 1 - December 31, 2026
• Grant Period                           January 1 - December 31, 2027

The Seed Grant application process includes two distinct stages: an initial UMB application and then a secondary UCR application. The two-stage approach reflects the primary theme of the AYY Initiative – bidirectional learning and research equity – both of which necessitate meeting the project approval requirements of both institutions.

• Complete the template for the UMB Application on the AYY portal.

• Submit through AYY portal.

• The application must be written in English.

• Maximum page length is four pages, typed double-spaced in 12-point Arial font.

• The UCR researcher must submit a copy of the application to the Vicerrectoría de Investigación at the time the UMB application is submitted.

The lead UMB investigator will upload the application using the template provided on the AYY funding portal. To submit the application, please have the following:

• CVs or biosketches for all investigators (UCR and UMB)

• General information about PIs including name(s), university affiliations, email addresses, and phone numbers

The UMB application template includes the following elements:

• Project Abstract: 250-word limit

• Specific Aims: State the goals of the proposed research and the expected outcomes.

• Background: Provide justification for the proposed research based on gaps in the literature and the need for the research being proposed.

• Significance: What is your study’s research question? Describe how the proposed project will advance research in aging, including unique features, new collaborations, and innovation of the project.

• Approach: Describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be used to accomplish the specific aims.

• Study Design: Briefly describe the study design.

• Engagement Approach: Briefly mention the plan to meaningfully engage partners/stakeholders during the study period.

• Study Population and Setting: Specify the study population and the settings.

• Outcomes: Describe the outcomes.

• Analytic Plan: Describe specific plans for data analysis that correspond to major aims.

• Sample Size and Power: If applicable, provide the total sample size for the proposed analysis.

• Study Timeline: The grant length is 18 total months. This includes a 6-month startup period to allow for the disbursement of funds and IRB approval (if needed), followed by the 12-month grant period. AYY leadership will meet with investigators throughout the project period to monitor progress. If a request for a no-cost extension has not been requested by month 8 of the grant period (not the startup period), project activities will cease at the end of the grant period (18 months), and any remaining funds will be returned to the AYY Initiative.

• Budget: No template but use Excel. Not included in page limit.

• Budget Justification: Briefly describe the costs for both institutions and provide sufficient details to explain the basis for costs, the reason why the costs are necessary to the project. Use provided template. Not included in page limit.

• Multi PI Leadership Plan: Should (1) Describe the overall governance and organizational structure of the leadership team for the research project; (2) Delineate the administrative, technical, scientific, and engagement responsibilities for each PI; (3) Discuss communication plans and the process for making decisions on scientific and engagement direction; and (4) Describe the procedure for resolving conflicts. Not included in page limit.

• References: Not included in page limit.

• Letters of Support: Optional at this stage but will become required at the UCR application stage. Not included in page limit.

Applications will be peer-reviewed, evaluated, and scored using the following criteria: 

• Relevance to AYY: Is there a likelihood of the proposed project leading to a sustained research partnership between UMB and UCR? Are there clear plans to move the project through to the next step of funding?

• Research Team and Environment: The research team has the expertise to accomplish the goals of the proposed research project and the appropriate research environment to conduct the study. Is there evidence of success in previous research activities, grant awards, and publication history in the field of aging of at least one investigator? Are letters of support representative of strong collaborative intent?

• Study Design and Methods (scientific merit)

• Scientific Impact in the field of aging and gerontology, novelty, and merit.

• Feasibility within defined budget period.

• Potential for Additional Funding to further expand the research partnership and application endeavors.

• MPI Leadership Plan sufficient for conducting the project.

IRB determination, approval, and timing for the Seed Grant program differ between UMB and UCR.

Investigators must ensure that all research activities adhere to IRB guidelines and other regulatory requirements at both institutions.

• UMB: IRB Letter of Determination/Approval is not required at the time of UMB application but should be initiated upon approval of the UMB application. The IRB designation must match the grant application, and the team list should be consistent. Additional institutional registrations/approvals must be obtained before initiating research activities.

• UCR: All human subjects research conducted at the UCR must receive ethical approval from the UCR-accredited Comité Ético Científico (CEC) through the institutional SIPPRES system, which functions as the university’s IRB review. Under current requirements, research involving human participants may not begin until full authorization has been granted by both the UCR CEC and the Ministry of Health. Investigators must therefore plan timelines accordingly to accommodate sequential review and final governmental authorization before implementation.

Once the UMB application has been approved, the research team will move into Stage Two of the application process. Because this stage involves working closely with UCR academic and administrative offices and involves steps that are required for the UCR faculty member's participation in the project, the UCR faculty member will take the lead.

Please anticipate that this stage will take at least six months to complete.

Applicants are responsible for moving the process along. Please contact the Vicerrectoría de Investigación if there are any questions about this process.

The UCR Principal Investigator (PI) must formulate the project using the SIPPRES Project Formulation System and complete all sections. In addition, the following aspects should be considered:

• The PI must have a teaching appointment of at least half time.

• Their appointment status may be tenure-track or interim in a continuing appointment.

• Executive Summary must be added in the “Description” section of the SIPPRES format, with a 200-word maximum.

• The proposal must first be evaluated by the Scientific Council or Research Commission at SIGPRO. The proposal must include a copy of the documents of the session of the Research Commission or Scientific Council where the proposal was definitively approved. This is an official requirement, so it must have the minimum requirements established according to current regulations of the University (autograph signature and seal of the Unit, according to resolution R-174-2020).

• Without exception, all new proposals must be submitted electronically in their final version with the SIPPRES in “Approved” status.

• Letter of presentation of the proposal duly signed by the director of the academic unit.

• Academic load forms of each of the participating UCR researchers with their respective signatures must be submitted. The load form must be signed by the researcher, the director of the unit where the project is assigned, and the director of the researcher's base unit.

• The participation of researchers from outside the UMB and UCR requires a letter of collaboration signed by the immediate superior of the external collaborator, indicating the consent to collaborate and the functions to be performed within the framework of the proposal.

Seed Grant UMB Application

Budget Justification Template

Seed Grant 6 Month Report

Seed Grant Final Report

With the funds disbursed and all required approvals in place, the grant term officially begins. Grant recipients start implementing their projects or research activities according to the proposed timelines, milestones and objectives outlined in their applications. This marks the commencement of the work funded by the grant.

The grant length is 18 months in total. This includes a 6-month startup period to allow for the disbursement of funds and IRB approval (if needed), followed by the 12-month grant period.  AYY leadership will meet with investigators throughout the project period to monitor progress. If a request for a no-cost extension has not been requested by month 8 of the grant period (not the startup period), project activities will cease at the end of the grant period (18 months) and any remaining funds will be returned to the AYY Initiative.

Reports are due every six months of the grant term. Applicants can view the AYY progress and final report templates on the AYY website. Additional reports are required if a no-cost extension is approved.

At the conclusion of the grant term, all final reports, requested materials, and budget documentation must be submitted. The Seed Grant is intended to support the development of projects that can generate work for external funding opportunities or other professional advancement. Recipients are expected to continue advancing the work initiated through the grant, maintain and expand relevant professional connections, and build on the momentum of the program. Timely submission of all required materials ensures proper grant closeout and informs next steps.

Photos and information shared through reports or other means may be used in our marketing and communications materials, including on our website, social media, newsletters, and other promotional platforms to market the AYY program and projects. Content may be edited for clarity or formatting. Confidential or private health information will never be shared.