MnDRIVE Environment Funding Portal


MnDRIVE Environment


Active Funding Programs

2023 Seed Grant Program

MnDRIVE Environment is requesting proposals for new and innovative Seed Grant projects. Seed Grant solicitation requests proposals that address one or more of the following goals:

  1. Reduce climate change and its impacts by increasing carbon sequestration.
  2. Enhance nature’s benefits to people by conserving or restoring biodiversity.
  3. Clean the air, soil, and/or water by preventing or reducing environmental contaminants.

Together, these goals help address the greatest environmental challenges, focus on research strengths at UMN, and complement other ongoing efforts (e.g., to support climate adaptation or emissions reduction). They also align with UMN’s systemwide strategic plan, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, IPCC and IPBES reports, and many external funding opportunities. Our current goals expand the scope of work previously supported by MnDRIVE Environment while also building on its past successes in advancing remediation solutions.

Seed grants provide support for either postdoctoral ($75K) or graduate student ($55K) researchers. Project teams must also include a local partner external to UMN (e.g., a company, Indigenous partner, governmental or nongovernmental organization).

The full 2023 Seed Grant RFP is available HERE

Due Dates
Full proposal: March 3, 2023, 5 p.m. CDT


For more information please contact:
Forest Isbell, Director, MnDRIVE Environment
Jeff Standish, Associate Director, MnDRIVE Environment



Application portal will open on February 3, 2023 (5 PM CT)




Application Portal >






Inactive Programs

MnDRIVE Environment - Demonstration Grant

The MnDRIVE Advancing Industry, Conserving our Environment initiative is requesting new Demonstration Grant proposals that take proven remediation solutions and scale them up for implementation in our sustainable economy.

THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING PROPOSALS!

Awards up to $500,000
Application Portal >






MnDRIVE Environment - Undergraduate Scholar Program

The MnDRIVE Advancing Industry, Conserving our Environment initiative seeks new and innovative proposals to support Undergraduate Student Research Scholars. As with Seed Grants and Demonstration Grants, the research should focus on environmental remediation solutions that address an existing or future contamination issues across Minnesota.

Proposals accepted on a monthly rolling basis:
- proposals are due on the 15th of each month for review
- decisions will be issued before the end of that month
- Awards will initiate on the first day of the next month

Awards up to $5,500

THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING PROPOSALS!
Application Portal >