Purpose: 

Support researchers in using the Materials Analysis Testing and Fabrication (MATFab) Facility to generate preliminary data for future external funding proposals. Funds provided through the MATFab Seed Grant Program may be used to develop new research directions, make use of instrumentation they have not previously utilized, or employ new applications of instrumentation- with the purpose of securing proof of concept and generating data to be used to pursue external funding for their work

Eligibility: 

  • University of Iowa faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students.
  • Postdocs and graduate students must have mentor approval.

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
  • Award Announcement: January 23, 2026
  • Funding Expiration: October 31, 2026

To Apply
To be considered for a grant under the program, fill out and submit the online application form below along with supporting documentation. 

Application Requirements:

  1. Complete the Online Application Form
  2. Project Proposal (Max 2 pages, Arial 11 pt).  
    Proposals should include these sections:
    1. Research Question & Hypothesis
  • What are you trying to find out?
  • What do you expect the outcome to be?
    1. Planned Experiments or Characterization
  • Describe the methods or tests you plan to use.
    1. Instrumentation Needs
  • What equipment or tools from MATFab will you need?
    1. Strategy for External Funding
  • How do you plan to get funding from outside sources in the future?
    1. Budget Guidelines
      • Estimate instrument time or number of samples.
        This is not a cash award. It covers free use of MATFab instruments and staff time only.
      • Include only MATFab-related costs.
      • Consumables (like chemicals or supplies) are not covered.
        If you need them, explain how you’ll pay for them.
      • Total: This award is for collecting seed data, not for completing full projects.
        Typical award value: $400–$4,000 (in services or instrument use).
      • Note: MATFab may adjust your budget based on your project’s scope.

Review:

  • Applications will be reviewed based upon the feasibility of completing the work in the MATFab facility and plans to secure additional funding.  
  • Applications from new users and/or key pieces of equipment (XRF, Electron microprobe, Laser Ablation ICP-MS) will also be prioritized, but all instruments and user groups will be considered.

Post Award Requirements:

Awardees will be required to:

  1. File a short progress report.
  2. Submit the proposal to an external agency within a year of the award.  Awardees who do not submit a proposal within this timeframe may be charged for the requested instrument fees.
  3. MATFab will encourage awardees to present at the annual MATFab symposium poster session after completion of the project. 

The MATFab facility is supported by the Office of the Vice President for Research provides resources and support to researchers and scholars at the University of Iowa and to businesses across Iowa with the goal of forging new frontiers of discovery and innovation and promoting a culture of creativity that benefits the campus, the state, and the world (https://research.uiowa.edu). Questions regarding this opportunity can be sent to matfab-staff@uiowa.edu.