University researchers can apply for $25,000 seed grants

The Rhode Island Foundation is seeking application for grants of up to $25,000 to launch promising medical research projects. The seed money is intended to help early-career researchers advance studies to the point where they can compete for major national funding.

“Thanks to the commitment of our generous donors, we have the resources to invest in advancing medical breakthroughs,” said Neil D. Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and CEO. “Our funding will have the potential to help Rhode Islanders lead healthier lives and prime one of the economy’s most promising sectors.”

The deadline to apply is Oct. 29. Faculty at academic institutions or hospitals in Rhode Island who have been assistant or associate professors for no more than five years are eligible to apply.

These one-time grants can be used as start-up support for laboratory, clinical or population-based research. In addition to general medical research, eligible subjects include infectious diseases, cardiac research, coronary artery disease, cerebral accidents, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, allergies and performance-enhancing substances.

In its most recent round of grants, the Foundation awarded researchers nearly $340,000 in seed funding. The recipients include Miriam Hospital, which received $16,000 for research into the long-term effects of living with Lyme Disease; the University of Rhode Island, which was awarded $25,000 to investigate the impact of healthy diets on diabetes; and Women & Infants Hospital, which received $16,259 to look at improving obstetric care to Rhode Island women from underserved populations.

The Foundation’s funding comes from the Alice W. Bliss Memorial Fund, Charles V. Chapin Fellowship Fund, Anne Elizabeth Chase Fund, Samuel J. and Ester Chester Medical Research Fund, Gilbert J. Clappin, Jr. Memorial Fund, Clean Competition Fund, Marquise d'Andigne Fund, Frieda Dengal Fund, Charles Goss Memorial Fund, Haire Family Fund, Herbert E. Hopkins Fund, Alice Newton Fund, Esther S. Phebe Parker Fund, Phillips Fund, Helen Walker Raleigh Vision Fund, Edythe and Jane Richmond Cancer Fund, Colonel Lee Walton and Xenia Roberts Memorial Fund, John O. Strom M.D. Memorial Fund and Mary A. Young Cancer Fund.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.