Internal funding opportunities support WSU research, scholarship, and creative activity

Washington State University faculty across a broad range of disciplines can access internal funding programs designed to help launch new research, advance creative and scholarly work, develop partnerships, and generate preliminary data for external funding proposals. Interested faculty should review each program's guidelines for eligibility requirements and how to apply.

President's Big Ideas Initiative - Track 1 Innovation Platforms for the Future

Supports the development of interdisciplinary, mission-aligned research platforms. Priority will be given to platforms focused on WSU research strengths not previously funded, particularly AgTech / FoodTech.

• Funding: Up to $400,000
• Deadline for Notice of Intent (required): Oct. 1, 2026

Just-in-Time Funds

Provides flexible, small-scale funding for activities that help faculty initiate or strengthen relationships with industry partners and other potential collaborators, including meetings, workshops, networking events, and site visits.

• Funding: Up to $1,500
• Deadline: Oct. 1, 2026

Supplemental Research Funds

Provides partial support for research and creative activity expenses that fall outside regular funding streams, including minor equipment and technology, events, and publication costs.

• Funding: Up to $2,000
• Deadline: Oct. 31, 2026

INSPIRE! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant - Community Partnerships Development Grant

Provides seed funding to support WSU faculty developing or advancing community-engaged research and partnerships.

• Funding: Up to $10,000
• Deadline for Notice of Intent (required): Nov.1, 2026

Arts & Humanities Process Grants

Provides small grants to support research, scholarship and creative activity in the arts and humanities, including expenses such as materials, software, services, event support, and participant stipends. (Travel is not an eligible expense.)

• Funding: Up to $2,500
• Deadline: Nov. 2, 2026

New Faculty Seed Grant

Helps new junior faculty develop research, scholarly, or creative programs that support sustained professional development and have strong potential to generate future external funding.

• Funding: Up to $25,000
• Deadline for Notice of Intent (required): Dec. 1, 2026

Want to learn more?

Visit the Office of Research Internal Funding Opportunities page for complete program information, eligibility requirements, and application instructions. Importantly, funding opportunities are contingent on available resources and may be offered only when funding permits, so eligible faculty are advised to apply sooner rather than later.