Internal Funding

Internal funding helps to support faculty and student research while fostering innovation and collaboration.

Key programs include (1) a new funding mechanism to be launched in the 2025-2026 academic year, which will offer support for partnerships between KSU researchers and industry or community; (2) Grand Challenges seed grants, which support the development of large-scale interdisciplinary research programs across KSU; and (3) the opportunity to become a Research Champion for one of KSU's four Research Communities.

Which program is right for you? Scroll down for more info.

Additional opportunities funded by the Office of Research and Office of Undergraduate Research are listed below as well.

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Interdisciplinary Seed Grants

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Partnerships

New funding mechanisms supporting partnerships between KSU researchers and industry or community are being developed. 

Deadline:

Anticipated Spring 2026

 
$200k 2 years

Grand Challenges

The Grand Challenges seed grant provides up to $200,000 for two fiscal years to support activities that develop large-scale interdisciplinary programs across the university. Projects must target a high-impact issue and include a plan to sustain the program for 5-10 years beyond the seed funding period.

Deadline:

Anticipated Spring 2026

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Initiatives

The Initiatives seed grant program supports interdisciplinary research teams among KSU鈥檚 researchers in all areas of research, scholarship and creative activity. This one-year support is given for collaborative proposals with the anticipation of a major grant submission upon its conclusion. 

Note: The Office of Research is currently funding the final round of Initiatives seed grant projects. We will be pivoting to new funding mechanisms in the 2025-2026 academic year.

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Faculty Development

KSU research communities

Research Community Champions

Three faculty Research Champions per Research Community are expected to work together to provide strategic leadership for growth. Applicants must be tenured/tenure-track faculty members. Research Champions should strive to build multi- and interdisciplinary research teams, facilitate collaborations within KSU and externally, increase and diversify extramural funding, include students and their workforce preparation, and ensure participation in external relations, including philanthropy, public鈥損rivate partnerships, engagement with federal and state legislators, and engagement with the local community.

Deadline:

  • Anticipated Spring 2026

 

Additional Opportunities

Previously Available Programs