Seed Grant Program

Anytime

1. See what we fund

Here’s what we look for when determining which proposals to fund:

• Impact / Significance: Your proposal could make a difference to people worldwide or revolutionize chemistry and/or artificial intelligence. 
• Innovation / Intellectual Merit: You need research and development funding to create solutions based on fundamental science. 
• Alignment with the MMLI mission and vision
• Feasibility: Your project is scoped and resourced for one calendar year.  
• Investigator / Environment: We highly encourage proposals from minority-serving institutions and historically black colleges and universities, including early investigators from underrepresented groups. 

Here’s what we funded in 2023.

Proposal types:

• Projects that broadly align with the MMLI mission and vision.
• Projects that fill a specific need or gap in the MMLI portfolio. 
  • Search and summarization 
  • Foundational AI advances 
  • Late-stage functionalization of complex molecules/catalysts 
  • Autonomous optimization 
  • Self-driving laboratories 
  • Heterogenous catalysis 
  • Synthesis planning tool development 
  • Use of AI in process optimization 
  • AI-guided synthesis and design of polymers
  • AI-guided discovery of biologically active molecules

2. Determine eligibility

Make sure you meet these eligibility requirements:

• All funded work needs to take place in the United States.
• The project’s principal investigator must be legally employed at least 20 hours a week by their place of employment seeking funding. 

3. Read the call for proposals

Check out the MMLI Seed Grant Solicitation to prepare your proposal.

February 15 – April 30

4. Submit your proposal

Email your proposal as a single PDF file to moleculemaker@illinois.edu. Check the solicitation for proposal preparation instructions and budgetary information.

1-2 months after submission window closes

Proposals undergo merit review

2-3 months after submission window closes

We’ll notify you whether your proposal is accepted or declined

4-5 months after submission window closes

If your proposal is accepted, you’ll receive funding and join the MMLI!