UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Materials Research Institute (MRI) offers the MRI Interdisciplinary Seed Grant to Penn State researchers that encourage high-risk, high-impact collaborative projects across multiple disciplines with great potential for societal benefit. The call for proposals is now open for 2026-27. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 30.
MRI has identified a set of interdisciplinary research themes aligned with its strategic goals and designed to foster impactful research and outreach. It is inviting project proposals that encourage collaboration beyond home units, particularly across institutes; support early-career faculty in building new research partnerships; generate preliminary data for external funding proposals; and spark the development of large, interdisciplinary research teams. The institute is especially interested in proposals that connect MRI-affiliated researchers with colleagues in other interdisciplinary institutes across Penn State. Current topic areas include:
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Convergence of Life Sciences, Bioengineering, Materials and Devices
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Sustainable Materials and Processes Solutions for Future Industry
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Materials for Extreme Environments
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Materials for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Packaging and Power Electronics
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Quantum Materials and Sensing
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AI Assisted Materials Discovery, Prototyping and Manufacturing
All Penn State faculty members — tenured/tenure track and fixed term research faculty — who hold an appointment of half-time or more at any Penn State location are eligible to submit a seed grant proposal as a principal investigator (PI). Researchers, students and staff may be included as co-PIs. Information including award criteria, eligibility, submission instructions and required documentation can be found at New MRI Interdisciplinary Seed Grant Opportunities in Multiple Areas - Funding 2026/2027 on OSVPR's InfoReady page. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 30.
More information about this and other seed grants and additional opportunities for Penn State researchers can be found on MRI’s Grants, Awards and Opportunities page.