MISTI Announces the MISTI Global Seed Funds

Suzanne Berger

MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) is pleased to announce new funding for international faculty collaboration, MISTI Global Seed Funds. MISTI Global Seed Funds is a new initiative that supports faculty research worldwide and encourages student participation.

Globalization makes international research collaboration key to scientific and technological advance. Global issues such as health, environment, energy, and security cannot be addressed effectively without international cooperation. Increasingly, scientists, managers, and engineers participate in research networks across the world. Such networks are critical for advancing knowledge, theory, and practical application. MISTI seeks to build global learning in all fields at MIT through its seed funds. The funding is in keeping with the Institute’s effort to enhance its reach in international education and research.

For all seed funds, up to $10,000 in additional funding is available for undergraduate and graduate student participation. MIT students that receive funding to participate in research abroad will receive cultural preparation through MISTI. Language training will be provided by the Foreign Languages and Literatures Section.

MISTI Global Seed Fund

The MISTI Global Seed Fund is designed to support research and collaboration on any topic focusing on any part of the world.

Proposals are welcome from faculty and research scientists in all disciplines at MIT.

Preference may be given to applications from younger researchers, but all faculty members are encouraged to apply. The maximum award is $20,000 and can be used for a variety of expenses, including exploratory field research, workshop materials, and instrument costs. Salary cannot be covered.

Country-Specific Seed Funds

MISTI also offers five country-specific seed funds. These country-specific seed funds are available for faculty interested in collaborative research involving France, India, Italy, Japan, or Spain.

• The MIT-France Seed Fund is funded by an endowment established by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MIT. Grant money is for research collaboration between faculty and researchers at MIT and their counterparts in France. Proposals are required to be submitted jointly with French colleagues. Priority is given to projects that involve younger scholars and propose a balanced exchange of research. The fund offers up to $20,000 that must be expended within one year.

• Proposals that focus on sustainable development in India can apply to the MIT-India Seed Fund. The applicants must involve collaboration with the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in Chennai. The maximum seed fund award is $15,000.

• MIT-Italy’s Progetto Roberto Rocca Seed Fund encourages research projects between MIT and the Milan Politecnico by supporting student fellowships, research stays, workshops, and faculty collaborations. Priority is given to proposals that focus on the novel use of materials as well as mathematical and physical modeling. The maximum award is $15,000.

• For MIT faculty members seeking to work in collaboration with Japanese researchers in areas of environmental and oceanic research, MISTI offers the Hayashi Seed Fund. Applicants to the Hayashi Seed Fund can apply for up to $20,000.

• The MIT-Spain Seed Fund and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce offer grants for research collaboration between MIT and companies, universities, and research laboratories in Spain. Funding is targeted towards explorative and collective collaboration involving technological transfer in a start-up phase. Applicants can apply for up to $20,000 in funding.

The deadline for applications is October 20, 2008. For more information and the application form for all seed funds see the MISTI Website.

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