Who Should Apply
The MRL Seed Grants are designed to trigger collaborative, cross-departmental research projects in materials science with industry partners. These awards are intended to catalyze new ideas, strengthen academic-industry connections, and position teams for larger external funding opportunities or the creation of MRL pilot centers. For the 2026 competition, faculty are invited to submit short proposals for innovative research projects that align with the criteria outlined below.
Proposal Eligibility & Criteria
- Focus on materials science-related research
- Include at least two Principal Investigators (PIs) from different academic departments
- Demonstrate engagement with one or more industry partners through in-kind contributions (e.g., materials samples, technical expertise, or insight into real-world challenges)
- Emphasize applied research (early-stage low-TRL projects will be considered if strong industry interest can be demonstrated).
Funding & Timeline
Award size: $100,000 per seed grant
Number of awards available: 3–5 grants
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Receive notification of award by: June 30, 2026
Project start date: September 1, 2026
Follow this Template
Submission
Submit your proposal via email at: mrl-seeds@mit.edu