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Request For Applications: Multidisciplinary Seed Grants in Immunology

The Cornell Center for Immunology invites applications for funding to pursue multidisciplinary research projects in Immunology for up to $40,000. Proposals are due at 5:00 pm on January 14, 2026, and awards will be announced at the end of February 2026. Support for this grant mechanism is provided by the Cornell Center for Immunology and the Office of the Vice President for Research. 

Technological advances are rapidly improving our ability to decipher the complexities of disease and immunity. Continued discovery increasingly requires multidisciplinary collaboration, and the Center for Immunology is dedicated to supporting teams of investigators who are able to work together to tackle complex questions and develop innovative technologies that will drive discovery forward. The Center is pleased to invite applications from groups of at least two independent research programs (one of which must have immunological expertise) aiming to submit collaborative grants (standard NSF, NIH multi-PI R01, P01, DOD CDMRP, or similar) featuring an immunological element within two years of receiving pilot project funding.

All applications to this seed grant mechanism must have an immunology component and must be multidisciplinary. Multidisciplinary is defined as: the application needs to integrate at least two approaches (e.g. immunology and genomics; basic and applied research; in vivo and in vitro cellular biology, etc). The PIs should represent at least two different departments.

We encourage inquiries concerning this funding opportunity. Please reach out to Deb Fowell (djf273@cornell.edu), who welcomes the opportunity to answer questions from potential applicants on project responsiveness to the RFA.

Award:

$40,000 for one year, per project

Number of Possible Awards:

Up to 3.

Timeline

RFA Release – December 1, 2025

Application Deadline – January 14, 2026

Notice of Award – Late February 2026

Funding Term – March 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027

Eligibility:

  • Applicants may request a maximum of $40,000 for the duration of one year and must meet Cornell’s eligibility requirements to serve as principal investigator on sponsored projects.
  • While investigators from Weill Cornell cannot serve as PIs, collaboration across Cornell University campuses is welcomed and encouraged.

Application process:

Applications may be submitted via email to centerforimmunology@cornell.edu and are due by 5:00 pm on January 14, 2026. Applications must be attached as a single PDF and should include the following:

  • Cover page (1-page maximum), including:
  • the name and contact information of the Principal Investigator and co-PI(s)
  • the project title and scope
  • be sure to draw a clear connection between the objectives and the relevance to extramural funding opportunities in the cover letter
  • Abstract of up to 250 words that is appropriate to share in the public domain.
  • Research Plan (3-page maximum), including specific objectives of the collaborative proposal
    • Significance and Innovation
    • Preliminary data
    • Experimental design
    • External Funding Potential: Describe the strategy for translating project results into external funding opportunities, including potential funding sources. If applicable, describe if the seed grant application is intended to generate preliminary data to respond to an RFA from a funding agency, and please provide the application deadline for that RFA.
    • List of Core Facilities: identify all core facilities and shared resources that will be utilized in the proposed project, and explain how the research will actively support and strengthen these facilities.
  • Budget (1-page maximum)
  • Biosketch for all PIs
    Please include current and pending funding for all PIs, if not included within biosketch.

Use of Funds:

Funds are restricted to research expenses, core facility charges, and non-faculty personnel; they cannot be used to support travel, faculty salary, or equipment purchases. Indirect costs are excluded.

Evaluation Criteria:

  • A panel will review applications. The following items will be score-driving:
  • scientific merit and impact of proposed work
  • strength and synergy of the collaboration; new collaborations are encouraged
  • potential for future extramural funding

Post-Award Reporting Requirements:

  • At the end of the award period, you will be required to submit a brief final report (approximately 1-page) outlining:
    • How the funds were used
    • Project achievements
    • Plans for use of the preliminary data; in particulate, plans for publication and/or applications for external funds