*New* UW Population Health Initiative Opens Accelerator Grants Funding Call: Letters of Intent Due February 1
Posted: 2026-11-06 12:50:31 (Funding)
The UW Population Health Initiative has opened a new funding call for its Accelerator grants program, which supports ambitious, interdisciplinary projects with the potential to produce transformative advances in population health. Unlike traditional pilot programs, which focus on proof-of-concept work or scaling existing efforts, Accelerator grants are designed to catalyze high-impact opportunities that build on UW-distinctive strengths. Proposals may carry more uncertainty than a typical pilot, but applicants must demonstrate a credible plan and a clear pathway to meaningful population health impact.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the Population Health Initiative will offer Tier 1 pilot grants alongside the larger Accelerator grants. The Initiative will not issue calls for Tier 2 and Tier 3 pilot grants this year.
The Initiative is especially interested in emerging drivers of population health, including artificial intelligence and other technologies, climate adaptation and resilience, and changing demographic and economic conditions. Projects may range from discovery science and technology development to policy innovation and community-based approaches, and should align with the priorities of the UW strategic plan.
Awards of up to $400,000 are available for projects lasting up to 24 months. Faculty and PI-eligible research scientists from all three UW campuses (Bothell, Seattle, and Tacoma) may apply. Teams must include at least two UW co-principal investigators with primary appointments in different academic departments. Matching support is required from teams invited to submit a full application: at least 20% of the requested award for projects above $300,000 and at least 10% for projects of $300,000 or less. Projects must represent a substantial new endeavor rather than a continuation of existing work. Applicants should consult the Population Health Initiative’s program guidelines for details on eligible forms of matching support.
How CSDE Can Help
CSDE affiliates interested in pursuing an Accelerator grant can connect with the Center for support in developing interdisciplinary research teams. CSDE may be able to help:
- Identify potential co-principal investigators across UW departments and disciplines.
- Connect research teams with relevant scientific, methodological, and technical expertise.
- Facilitate connections among researchers whose complementary interests and expertise could strengthen a proposal.
- Provide in-kind matching support through our Matching Support mechanism.
Application Timeline
Applications follow a two-stage process:
- January 1, 2027: Letters of intent open.
- February 1, 2027: Letters of intent due by 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
- Week of February 22, 2027: Invitations to submit full applications issued.
- April 2, 2027: Full applications due.
- Week of May 3, 2027: Funding decisions announced.
- June 1, 2027–May 31, 2029: Project period.
Letters of intent must be submitted as a single PDF through the online application portal. Office of Sponsored Programs review is not required. Full program details, eligibility requirements, and application instructions are available on the Population Health Initiative website.
Date: 11/05/2026
Deadline: 02/01/2027