Stage 1: Seed Partnerships

Up to $350,000 for a maximum 2 years

seed partnerships

Funding Early-Stage Solutions

Solutions-focused research in the social sciences requires a deep, context-specific understanding of the problem being addressed. No remedy to a challenge confronting society can have real impact unless it considers who is affected by it, how they’re affected, and what else has been done (or is underway) to exacerbate, shift, or resolve it. 

This vital early-stage work takes time and coordination, and greatly increases the likelihood that research and insights, once shaped into solutions, will yield practical action that benefits society.

SIL's Stage 1: Seed Partnerships funding provides support for new and established partnerships to conduct research that deepens understanding of their chosen problem and sets the stage for testing solutions. Successful applicant teams are able to demonstrate:

  • A demand for the research
  • Collaboration with key stakeholders and end users
  • A clear path towards developing and testing solutions

Seed funding may be used for activities such as strengthening partnerships or engaging additional stakeholders, implementing a community engagement plan, collecting data, or piloting an intervention with a partner. Successful investments will yield a deeper understanding of the problem landscape and a strong equitable partnership ready to test a solution under real conditions. 

Our 2023-24 Stage 1: Seed Partnerships Request for Proposals includes detailed information about our investment process and criteria. Requests for proposals (RFPs) are launched each year in September.