Seed-and-Branch Grants provide funding for outreach and communication of BSE-led research, including writing policy briefs; visits to political representatives in Ottawa, Quebec City, or elsewhere; YouTube shorts or other video products; workshops that bring together researchers and partners outside one’s academic community; or other events to share results with relevant communities. The goal is to extend BSE research impact beyond one’s academic community.
These one-year grants are open to all BSE Jointly Appointed Faculty, Faculty Lectures, and Associate Members. The value of awards will be based on the scale and scope of proposed activities and budget requested.
All PIs will submit a short final report on use of funds and outcomes, including appendices of output (white papers, submitted papers, workshop agendas, meeting summaries). Unspent funds will be returned to the BSE.
Section Criteria
- Feasibility of the proposed activity and potential to succeed at meeting its goals.
- Legacy, including the possibility of securing further funding and the creation of communities around emerging sustainability-related topics at McGill.
- Promotion of BSE-led or aligned research to decision-making and policy communities (broadly defined).
Eligibility and Terms
- The value of awards will be based on the scale and scope of proposed activities and budget request.
- Awards are for a one-year period. Open to all BSE Jointly Appointed Faculty, Faculty Lecturers, and BSE Associate Members.
- The Review Committee may stipulate changes, including to the funding amount, as a condition of funding.
- All PIs will submit a short final report on use of funds and outcomes, including appendices of output (white papers, submitted papers, workshop agendas, meeting summaries).
- Unspent funds will be returned to the BSE.
Proposals Format and Submission Instructions
- Project description (max 1 page).
- References (in addition to the 1 page).
- Budget outline and justification (1 page).
- Description of project partners and clients, as applicable, including description of the team’s experience with these partners and clients (max 1 page).
Proposals are due Friday, October 30, 2026.