Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences

2026-27 Huck Seed Grant Program opens call for proposals

Faculty interested in cross-disciplinary research are encouraged to apply

The Huck Seed Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2026-27 funding cycle to support innovative, collaborative research across strategic priorities in plant science, environmental health, AI-driven biological discovery, regenerative engineering, and biomechanics and biorobotics. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences announced a call for 2026-27 Seed Grant Program funding proposals, due by May 1. Huck seed grants foster innovative, interdisciplinary and collaborative life sciences research with the potential to drive scientific breakthroughs and generate new research directions leading to impactful externally funded research.

“The Huck Seed Grant Program is designed to catalyze bold, ambitious ideas that push the boundaries of science,” said Christina Grozinger, director, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. “We are especially excited to support proposals that advance our strategic priorities. By investing in interdisciplinary teams and individual investigators, we aim to accelerate innovation that not only deepens our understanding of life, but translates that knowledge into real-world impact.”

Proposals are open to all faculty — at any Penn State campus — affiliated with a Huck institute or center and may include single investigator or multi-investigator projects with cross-unit collaboration encouraged.

While other topics in the life sciences will be considered, this round of funding focuses on five thematic priorities, including these examples:

  • Plant Science – engineering plants and plant communities
  • Environmental Health – interaction of environment, including nutrition, brain, behavior, metabolome, microbiome, pathogens and parasites
  • AI to Action – molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological processes
  • Regenerative Engineering – organoids, vascular engineering, intraoperative bioprinting techniques and biomimetic immune camouflage for cell therapy
  • Biomechanics and Biorobotics – advanced sensors and technique, artificial intelligence/machine learning integration, increased autonomy and bio-inspired design and materials

Learn more about the 2026-27 Huck Seed Grant Program and how to apply on the program’s website.

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