The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG) is accepting proposals for its 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition, which will provide funding for pilot studies and initial investigations that can serve as the foundation for larger future research proposals.
IISG anticipates awarding a total of $150,000 to support three to six projects focused on southern Lake Michigan. Researchers may request between $10,000 and $50,000 in IISG funding for one year of research, with a required 50% non-federal match. Projects will run from February 1, 2027, through January 31, 2028. Applications are due August 17, 2026.
Projects should support priorities identified in the IISG 2024–27 Strategic Plan. IISG is particularly interested in funding research that enhances sensing and monitoring capabilities in southern Lake Michigan.
To encourage a broader range of submissions, IISG also welcomes proposals focused on other priority topics, including:
- Winter physical processes or biological activity in Lake Michigan.
- The role of protected Lake Michigan harbors and nearshore areas as winter habitats for juvenile sportfish and other aquatic wildlife.
- Distribution and activity of sensitive or threatened aquatic species in nearshore Lake Michigan environments.
- Invasive aquatic plants in nearshore Lake Michigan environments.
- Habitat in ravines and small tributaries and their use by nearshore Lake Michigan fish species.
Researchers from academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, and tribal, state, or local governments are eligible to apply. While IISG prioritizes Illinois- and Indiana-based researchers, investigators from other states are welcome to apply if they can demonstrate how their work will benefit IISG’s mission and research priorities. IISG also encourages submissions from early career scientists and from researchers who partner with or mentor early career scientists.
To help prospective applicants learn more about the funding opportunity, IISG will host two informational webinars:
- July 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EDT
- July 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. EDT
Applicants can register for one or both webinars through the IISG funding opportunities webpage.
Key dates for the competition include:
- June 17, 2026 — Request for proposals released
- August 17, 2026 — Full proposals due via eSeaGrant
- December 1, 2026 — Funding notifications issued
- February 1, 2027 — Projects begin
Full proposals must be submitted through eSeaGrant by 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 17, 2026.
Additional information, proposal templates, and application guidance are available on the IISG funding opportunities webpage. Questions about the competition can be directed to Laura Esman, IISG research and reporting coordinator, at lesman@purdue.edu or 765-496-3135.
