Lehigh's seed funding programs help faculty complete research, launch new directions, and build collaborations that compete for external funding. Three programs are offered in 2026–27, each supporting a different stage of research.

Apply in Infoready Read the FAQ

Programs at a glance

Faculty Research Grant (FRG)

Up to $6,000 to support the conduct, completion, and dissemination of research, including subvention and image licensing fees.

Who: Tenured, tenure track, and research faculty; participants in the Future Faculty Program.  Limited to the arts, humanities, and social sciences faculty (2026–27 only)

Offered: Once this year, in the fall

Deadline: October 11, 2026 · Closed

FRG details and guidelines

Faculty Innovation Grants (FIG)

Up to $35,000 to launch new projects and research directions, with a clear plan and timeline leading to an external proposal.

Who: Tenured, tenure-track, and research faculty; Future Faculty Program participants

Offered: Fall

Deadline: November 1, 2026 · Open

FIG details and guidelines

Collaborative Research Opportunity (CORE)

Up to $70,000 to builds multi-faculty research programs at Lehigh. Requires at least one co-PI and leads to a formal external proposal.
 
Who: Teams of eligible Lehigh faculty; PI must be tenured, tenure-track, and research faculty; Future Faculty Program participants)
 
Offered: Spring semester
 
Deadline: January 31, 2027 · Call posts soon
 

 

Accelerator Grants are not offered in 2026–27. See past Accelerator awards.

 

How it works

  1. Apply in InfoReady
    Upload your full application as a single PDF. No LIRA proposal or ORSP routing is needed.
     
  2. Faculty review
    A committee of tenured faculty from all five colleges reviews each proposal. Write for colleagues outside your field.
     
  3. Decision and award
    Decisions arrive in about 4–6 weeks. Awards run 12 months, with one extension of up to 12 months available.

Key dates

  • FIG deadline:  Sun, Nov 1, 2026
     
  • CORE deadline: Sun, Jan 31, 2027
     
  • FRG deadline (closed):  Sun, Oct 11, 2026

 

Resources

FAQ

Eligibility, budgets, allowable costs, and more

Proposal Library

Past funded Proposals and Award History

Info session slides

 2026-27 internal grants overview

 

Questions? We are happy to help.

Talk through an idea or ask about eligibility and budgets with Kate Bullard, Sr. Director of Research Development, or Jenny Chao, Program Manager.

vpresearch@lehigh.edu

 

Upcoming Events and Due dates

Internal Grant: FIG Submission Deadline

Date:
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Internal Grant: CORE Submission Deadline

Date:
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View all events