The University of Minnesota – Seoul National University Partnership, administered through the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance, supports collaborative research between the University of Minnesota (UMN) and Seoul National University (SNU).
This partnership is designed to strengthen international partnerships in research, education, and workforce development, grounded in the belief that addressing global challenges and maintaining competitiveness in science and technology require robust, cross-border collaboration.
Description of the Award
Through this seed grant program, UMN and SNU seek to catalyze new and expanded joint research projects that leverage complementary strengths and shared expertise in the natural science and engineering fields. The initial funding round focuses on AI & Data Science, Water & Energy, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Biotechnology, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration. Supported projects should build and enhance UMN–SNU research partnerships, demonstrate innovation in project design and implementation, and lay the groundwork for future research dissemination and external funding. By fostering collaboration across institutions, disciplines, and sectors, the program aims to generate high-impact research with lasting scholarly and societal value.
Selected projects will receive up to $20,000 in seed funding from the University of Minnesota, with matching funds of up to ₩30,000,000 (Korean won) per project provided by Seoul National University, for a total potential award of up to $40,000 per project. SNU matching funds will be awarded directly to the identified SNU-based collaborators, and there may be restrictions on allowable expenses. The final number of awards and individual award amounts may vary depending on proposal quality, scope, and strategic alignment.
- Award Amount: Up to $20,000 per project from UMN per project, with up to $20,000 in matching funds from SNU.
- Number of Awards: Approximately 4 grants per funding period
- Project Duration: 12 months, with a conditional 1-year extension
- Funding Period Begins: June 1, 2026
Who May Apply
UMN faculty and academic staff with PI eligibility from any academic unit across the UMN system
Proposals must include an identified Seoul National University collaborator who is actively involved in the design and execution of the proposed research. The UMN PI should identify an SNU partner in the field of science and engineering
Allowable Use of Funds
Seed grant funds may be used to support research-related expenses, including:
- Graduate research assistance or postdoctoral support
- Research travel
- Data collection and analysis
- Materials and supplies
- Collaboration-building activities
*Faculty salaries or stipends are not allowable expenses
*Funds provided to the SNU PI may be subject to additional spending restrictions in accordance with SNU policies. SNU funds are restricted to research travel, joint workshop/seminar/conference expenses, and other collaboration-building and research support activities.
Application Materials
1. Cover Sheet
A. Project Title
B. UMN PI Information
- Full name
- UMN email
- Phone number
- Department / Academic unit
- UMN campus (Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, etc.)
- PI eligibility confirmation
- Eligibility statement “I confirm that I meet UMN PI eligibility requirements.”
C. SNU Collaboration Details
- SNU collaborator name
- Title / rank
- Department / unit at SNU
- Email address
- Eligibility Statement “I confirm that the SNU collaborator is actively involved in the design and execution of this project.”
D. Project abstract (max. 250 words)
2. Personnel
One page maximum (list including University of Minnesota participants with departmental affiliations such as PI/co-PIs, participating faculty, academic staff and/or graduate students; list of SNU partners with institutional/organizational affiliation and field or department)
3. Project description
Max 8 pages (up to 2,500 words, excluding references), using at least 11-point Times New Roman with minimum 1-inch margins.
Background/Introduction with clearly specified knowledge gap(s)
Research question(s), aims, and objectives
Research design and methodology, including the role and structure of the UMN–SNU collaboration
Significance and potential for impact on scholarship, policy and/or practice
Project timeline and implementation plan, including specific description of involvement with partners at SNU
Dissemination plan (academic and public arenas)
Plan to generate additional future funding
4. Budget and budget justification
Provide a project budget including the following expense categories:
- Personnel
- Fringe Benefits
- Travel (airfare, lodging, per diem, ground transportation)
- Supplies/Services
- Professional Services
- Other (as needed)
Budget justification to describe budget line items (e.g., one graduate assistant to collect project data at 25% for one semester at hourly rate of XX)
Other funding: list other funding sources pending or received for this project (funding sources, project title, grant period, amount awarded)
Note on budget content: full project budget should be provided even it exceeds maximum funding for this award. Discussion of any matching funds should be included in the justification.
Note that seed grant funds may not be used for faculty salaries or stipends
5. Letters of commitment from international partners
Letters should address the willingness/capability of the partner to participate in the project
Letter should address any resource commitments by international partners that are important to project success or that are shown as matches in the budget
6. Approvals and clearances
Attach documentation of approvals/clearances, or an explanatory document of up to one page addressing:
IRB approval (or application for approval) for proposed research if required (PI must provide documentation of IRB approval or waiver before funds will be released)
Description of any necessary research clearances or permissions required by foreign government(s) and their status. Please attach translations of any documents in languages other than English to the original document with your application.
7. Curriculum vitae from principal investigator and co-principal investigators from both UMN and SNU
3 pages maximum per CV
NSF format or similar is recommended
Submissions
Email proposal information as a single PDF, named “UMN-SNU_Seed2026_[PI LastName].pdf” to [email protected] by 11:59pm on April 10, 2026.
Direct inquiries to [email protected].
Evaluation Criteria
Intellectual Merit and Innovation (20%)
Clarity and significance of the research questions, identification of knowledge gaps, and the potential to advance knowledge in the priority areas (AI & Data Science, Water & Energy, Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Biotechnology).
Strength of UMN–SNU Collaboration (20%)
Degree to which the proposal demonstrates a meaningful and well-integrated collaboration between UMN and SNU investigators, including complementary expertise and clearly defined roles.
Potential for Future Research Expansion (20%)
Likelihood that the project will lead to larger collaborative research efforts, external funding opportunities, and sustained research activities.
Potential for Long-Term Partnership (20%)
Potential to establish or strengthen a lasting UMN–SNU research collaboration beyond the seed grant period.
Feasibility and Budget (20%)
Soundness of the research design, feasibility within the project period, and appropriate use of funds.
Post-Award Expectations
Grant recipients will be required to:
- Submit a final research report within two months of project completion
- Participate in research dissemination events
- Share outcomes through academic and public-facing channels
- Funded teams are strongly expected to include at least one in-person collaboration activity involving UMN and SNU partners during the first year of the award, subject to feasibility and applicable institutional policies.