2026 SynthX/HMNCC Seed Grant

Guidelines

The Rice University SynthX Center (SynthX) and the Houston Methodist Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center (HMNCCC) announce a call for SynthX/HMNCC Seed Grant applications. Each team will receive $45,000, with each PI receiving $22,500 from their respective home institution.

Scientific disciplines covered by the applications can range across a spectrum within the biomedical sciences. It is recommended that submissions are tailored to both experts in the submission’s area of research as well as scientists with expertise in other disciplines within the biomedical sciences. All teams wishing to compete must submit a proposal according to the requirements and guidelines set forth below. Submit your seed grant proposal to synthx@rice.edu.

Proposal Timeline

April 27, 2026

Call for proposals announced

May 18, 2026

Proposal submission deadline

June 1, 2026

Notice of awards

June 15, 2026

Project start date
Selection Criteria

The selection criteria include originality and quality of the proposed research, anticipated level of impact of the work proposed, novelty and interdisciplinary nature of the collaboration, strategy for integration of the team, and potential for long-term sustainability from competitive funding sources. The final funding decision will be made by SynthX/HMNCC review committee.

Team Eligibility

Eligible teams must satisfy all of the following criteria:

  1. Teams must include one PI from SynthX and one PI from HMNCC.

  2. Limit one proposal per person: faculty can be either PI or co-PI on only one proposal.

  3. PIs who receive the seed fund are not eligible to receive another seed fund within 2 years.

  4. Projects requiring Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval will not receive funding until the approval is received.

Full Proposal Guidelines

Proposals should be emailed to synthx@rice.edu. All proposals should be single-spaced with 1-inch square margins, a minimum 11 pt font (including figure captions), and contain the following sections:

  1. COVER PAGE (1 PAGE): Proposal title, names of all faculty, their department(s), their institutional affiliation(s), their administrative contact(s), and the contact information for 3 potential reviewers.

  2. SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACT: One-paragraph scientific abstract (limit 400 words) providing:

    1. A clear description of the research area(s) that will be the focus of the application;

    2. The planned cross-disciplinary approach; and

    3. The specific objective of the project.

  3. LAY ABSTRACT: One-paragraph lay abstract (limit 200 words) describing the proposal in terms accessible to a non-scientist usable in press releases and communications to the community at large.

  4. RESEARCH PLAN (2 PAGES):Maximum of two (2) pages for the (a-d) required elements, including illustrations and tables:

    1. Specific Aims

    2. Significance

    3. Preliminary Studies/Rationale

    4. Research Design and Methods (including a timetable and milestones for the 2-year project period)

    5. References (not included in the page limit)

  5. COLLABORATIVE INTERACTIONS AND FUTURE PLANS: One-page summary describing:

    1. How the project represents a new collaborative research initiative;

    2. The team’s planned cross-disciplinary approach;

    3. The perceived novelty and impact of the proposed collaborative research; and

    4. Plan(s) for seeking external funding to continue the proposed work.

  6. BIOSKETCHES (NO PAGE LIMIT): Provide a biosketch (NIH format) for each faculty member. Place the principal investigator(s) biosketch(es) first.

  7. BUDGET: Each team should submit a preliminary budget and justification, but this information is only to be used for review purposes. Budgets will be finalized upon notice of award in compliance with the investigators' home institutions.

Budget Guidelines
  • Budget covers both years of award (i.e., you do not need to separate Year 1 from Year 2).
  • Funds may be used for:
    • Supplies
    • Stipends
    • Research staff salaries (graduate students, postdoctoral associates, technical staff, non-tenure track research faculty)
  • Not Allowed Costs:
    • Indirect (F&A) costs
    • Salary for the PI and/or co-investigators
    • Tuition remission
  • The maximum ORIGINAL budget if proposal PIs are from both institutions is $45,000 for the duration of two (2) years.
  • A 6-month no-cost extension may be requested with justification (maximum original budget remains).
  • If significant progress is not demonstrated by the end of the second year after review, then unused funds must be returned to the program.
  • If, during the proposal or award period, the status of a faculty member or collaboration changes, the PI(s) must immediately notify us at synthx@rice.edu.
Post-Award Requirements

  1. Awards must start by June 30, 2026 (FY26).

  2. Recipients must submit a mid-term progress report (Year 1) and a final report (Year 2) to SynthX & HMNCC.

  3. Annual summaries (e.g., new publication, grants, and others) may be requested for up to five years post-award.

  4. Grant recipients are required to participate in the subsequent years’ review process, as needed.

  5. Grant recipients may be expected to present their research outcomes to SynthX, HMNCC, or other interested parties and to provide additional information as requested. This information would include a summary of the project as well as impact of the research within the larger community.

  6. Funding from SynthX and HMNCC must be acknowledged in all publications or presentations associated with or arising from an award.

Sponsors

SynthX Seed Grants are made possible through a co-sponsorship with the Educational and Research Initiatives for Collaborative Health (ENRICH) Office. Learn more about their work to foster research collaborations and educational partnerships with health-related institutions of the Texas Medical Center (TMC) and to position Rice as a leader in advancing healthcare, at https://enrich.rice.edu/.

The Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center treats around 7,000 new cancer cases each year through a highly specialized team of cancer doctors and staff, including experts in all types of cancer, both common and rare. They support patients and their caregivers during every stage of their cancer journey — from diagnosis and treatment through recovery and survivorship. Learn more at https://www.houstonmethodist.org/cancer/.

SynthX Center HMNCC ENRICH