Seed Funding

Seed Funding Opportunities

Technology Development/Technology Transfer Seed Funding
 

Current status: Closed
Funding decisions for the current round will be announced by March 9, 2026, with projects beginning April 1, 2026.

The Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 Technology Development/Technology Transfer Seed Fund supports high-impact research projects in technology development or technology transfer that advance Iowa’s leadership in biomanufacturing and sustainable materials innovation.

Up to $50,000 is available for one or two projects for 12-month research efforts that align with Chemurgy 2.0 goals and have strong potential for federal funding growth and economic impact in Iowa. A 20% cost share is required.

Learn more and view the full solicitation here.

For details or to discuss project ideas, contact Dr. Nigel Reuel.

Previously funded TD/TT projects:

Dr. Alina Kirillova (Iowa State) - 3D Printing of Bio-Based Fiber-Reinforced Biocomposites for Bone Tissue Engineering
Dr. Thomas Mansell (Iowa State) - Antifreeze Protein Project
Dr. Ratul Chowdhury (Iowa State) - Foundational AI-models to understand how atomic vibrations propagate within a protein structure towards designing better enzymes and therapeutics
Dr. Hyeongmin Seo (UofI) - Accelerating Synthetic Biology for Sustainable 1,5-Diaminopentane Production Through Nanofabricated High-throughput Assay

Education and Workforce Development Seed Funding
 

Current status: Closed, Re-opening July/August 2026
The Iowa NSF EPSCoR Chemurgy 2.0 EWD Seed Program supports innovative education and workforce development projects that strengthen Iowa’s biomanufacturing talent pipeline. We are accepting rolling proposal submissions through January 30, 2026, at noon or until the round 2 funding has been awarded, whichever comes first. Submissions are reviewed as they are received.
 

Up to $15,000 is available per project in two priority areas:

Growing Future Biomanufacturing Professionals

Projects that engage high school through undergraduate students or those who influence student career choices.
 

Sharing Authentic Iowa Biomanufacturing Stories

Projects that collect and share real stories about biomanufacturing careers in Iowa. Eligible Iowa schools, nonprofits, and government organizations are encouraged to apply.
 

Learn more and view the full solicitation here.

For details or to discuss project ideas, contact Marcy Seavey.

Upcoming EWD projects:

Dr. Jerry Honts (Drake University) - Undergraduate Research Support for Ciliate Cytoskeletal Proteins as an Inspiration for an Engineered Active Matter Fabric

Previously funded EWD projects:

Dr. Lisa Chizek (Iowa State) - Translating Information to Demystify Advanced Biomanufacturing
Dr. Jeffrey Grisamore (UofI) - Content Marketing Strategies to Inform and Inspire Targeted Publics on Biomanufacturing’s Current and Future Impact in Iowa