MCW-Led Seed Grants

The MCW-Led Seed Grants program is administered by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, a major health-focused philanthropy committed to improving health outcomes and advancing health equity across Wisconsin. As outlined in the official call for applications, the Endowment prioritizes innovative, collaborative, and community-informed approaches that address pressing health challenges affecting diverse populations throughout the state. The program is specifically designed to support early-stage ideas that can lead to scalable and sustainable future initiatives in health research or workforce development. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to enable eligible faculty at the Medical College of Wisconsin to explore new methodologies, pilot innovative concepts, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Projects are expected to address clearly defined gaps in knowledge or practice related to health or health workforce development. The program emphasizes generating preliminary data, testing feasibility, and establishing a foundation for future external funding or expanded programming. Projects must align with one of two core focus areas: health-focused research or health workforce education and development, both aimed at improving long-term health outcomes for Wisconsin residents. Funding is available for project-specific activities, with applicants permitted to request up to 50000 dollars for a project period not exceeding 12 months. The performance period begins January 1, 2027. Funds are restricted to direct project expenses, including personnel salaries, supplies, and travel directly tied to the project. The program explicitly prohibits use of funds for indirect costs, operational overhead, debt reduction, lobbying, entertainment, or supplanting existing funding sources. Applicants must certify that the proposed project does not replace other available funding and must provide documentation of current financial resources. Eligibility is limited to full-time Medical College of Wisconsin faculty members holding the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, who will serve as Principal Investigators. While co-investigators and collaborators are optional, they are encouraged and may include individuals both within and outside MCW. The Principal Investigator is responsible for project oversight, compliance, and communication with the funding organization. All proposals must demonstrate alignment with the program’s goals, clearly articulate the health need being addressed, and provide evidence-based justification for the proposed approach. The application process is conducted through an online submission system and requires multiple components, including a structured narrative, budget workbook, budget justification, and non-supplanting attestations. The narrative must address project background, aims, methodology, evaluation strategies, and team qualifications. Following submission, applications undergo a multi-stage review process consisting of technical review, peer review by fellow applicants, programmatic review, and final approval by the Research and Education Advisory Committee. Applicants are required to participate in peer review, and failure to complete assigned reviews disqualifies the application. Key dates for the application cycle include a draft submission for feedback by July 20, 2026, and a final application deadline of August 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. The review process occurs between late August and mid-September, with funding decisions announced in October 2026. Projects are expected to commence on January 1, 2027. The program is recurring annually, supporting ongoing cycles of innovation and investment in Wisconsin’s health ecosystem.

Ensure strong alignment with Wisconsin health needs; emphasize innovation and feasibility; clearly define measurable outcomes and long-term impact