Seed Award Statement of Interest Deadline
Date / Time
January 23, 2026Resources
About RIO-NM
Research Infrastructure for New Mexico (RIO-NM) aims to positively impact New Mexico’s research ecosystem by 1) investing in higher education institutions to build cyberinfrastructure capacity and to strengthen research pathways, and 2) nurturing connections between and among ecosystem stakeholders across higher education, national laboratories, industry, non-profit organizations, and government.
Program Description
The Seed Award program supports transformative research and capacity building across New Mexico’s academic institutions. These awards fund the purchase of research equipment, support for student researchers, acquisition of research supplies, and student conference travel. Program goals are to 1) foster initiatives that enhance research capacity (including cyberinfrastructure), productivity, and external funding competitiveness, and 2) increase student access to meaningful research experiences across the state.
Proposed Seed Award projects should align with the National Science Foundation’s Research Focus Areas or New Mexico’s Science and Technology Plan. Priority will be given to projects that pursue novel research initiatives likely to result in publications, research grants, and workforce pathways outcomes. Additionally, projects that expand access to research experiences for undergraduate and/or community college students are encouraged.
Eligibility
Faculty from New Mexico’s primarily undergraduate institutions, including two-year colleges, four-year comprehensive institutions, and branch campuses, as well as universities such as the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, and Navajo Tech are eligible to apply. Current or previous participation in an NM EPSCoR-funded project is not required.
Award Information
Maximum Funding Per Award: $50,000 (including indirect costs)
Duration: 12 months
Based on available resources, potential for an additional 12 months and up to $50,000 in additional funding based on project performance and milestone completion.
Estimated Number of Awards: Number of awards will be based on quality of proposals received and available funding; up to four awards will be funded in this round.
Anticipated Start Date: May 1, annually