SDG Research Grants Program 2025
The system-wide Sustainable Development Goals initiative is pleased to announce the 2025 SDG Initiative research grant competition.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a globally recognized integrated framework for addressing major social and environmental challenges of the 21st Century. The University’s SDG Initiative and this funding opportunity have been established to support University of Minnesota faculty, academic staff, and researchers in using the SDGs as a framework for research that addresses one or more of these goals, either globally or locally.
Grant proposals should clearly demonstrate how the research project will address known needs locally and/or globally, as well as how it will contribute to at least one SDG by linking the work to the specific SDG targets and indicators.
SDGs of particular salience include:
- Zero Hunger (SDG #2)
- Good Health and Well Being (SDG #3)
- Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG #6)
- Climate Action (SDG #13)
The most competitive research projects will be those that involve varied partners to address local and/or global needs. Teams must include multidisciplinary expertise. Projects addressing multiple SDGs will be prioritized.
Award Information
Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to support one-year projects.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to current faculty and academic/research staff throughout the University of Minnesota system. Preference will be given to faculty and researchers who have not previously received SDG Initiative funding.
Further basic requirements for proposal submission are outlined below.
Grant proposals should clearly demonstrate how the research project will address known needs locally and/or globally, as well as how it will contribute to at least one SDG, linking to specific SDG targets and indicators.
2025 SDG Research Grants
Deadline
Completed applications should be submitted to the SDG Iniative email ([email protected]) by 4:00 p.m. Central Time on March 14, 2025.
Grant applications must be submitted as a Word Doc or PDF.
Application Materials
Access the Application Template (Please Make A Copy To Fill In)
Complete the application form using the provided template (above). This should be submitted as either a Word Doc or a PDF. The application form includes the following components:
- Project abstract (150 words max)
- Objectives and expected outcomes of the research project (500 words max)
- Justification and link to SDG and known local and/or global need (500 words max)
- Outline of proposed activities clearly demonstrating the intellectual merit, interdisciplinary nature and connection to the SDGs
- Likely impact of the project on SDG related needs you are hoping to support (local and/or global)
- Highlight links to specific SDG targets and indicators
- Interdisciplinary scope of project (500 words max)
- External partnerships (where applicable - 500 words max)
- Methods (500 words max)
- Future funding strategy (250 words max)
- Acknowledgement that you will apply or have applied for the University’s Institutional Research Board (IRB) approval for proposed activities (if required) and any travel registration or exception processes have been followed
The full list of guidelines is available at https://z.umn.edu/SDG_ResearchGrants.
Supplemental Documents
The components listed below must be submitted via the application form as well.
- Budget Proposal (Required): Complete the budget proposal form available at SDG 2025 Budget Template. Please include the full budget for your project, even if it exceeds the maximum amount of funds that can be awarded.
- Biosketch or Two-Page CV (Required): A PI CV or biosketch of no more than 2 pages must be submitted via the application form as well. Projects may include multiple co-PIs, but a single PI must be identified to receive the grant funds.
- External Partner Letters of Support (Required where relevant): Letters of support from external research partners including universities, community organizations, private sector or government partners may be included. If the project requires partner support or participation, please include relevant letters of support. Please include a letter (no longer than one page) for each major partner.
Summary of Required Documents
- Application Form (Required)
- Budget Proposal (Required)
- Two-Page CV or Biosketch (Required)
- External Partner Letters of Support (Required where relevant)
How Proposals Will Be Evaluated
Reviewers will use the following criteria, each scored on a 1–5 scale (1 = Poor, 3 = Adequate, 5 = Excellent):
- Does this project have a clear connection to at least one SDG (with links to specific targets/indicators)?
- Does the project address demonstrated local/global needs
- Interdisciplinary/Transdisciplinary merit: Does it have involvement of varied disciplines or expertise?
- Is the project feasible and clear with well-defined objectives, methods, budget, and timeline?
- Does the project have meaningful community, industry, or cross-institutional partnerships, and are there clearly articulated roles and mutual benefits for collaborators?
- Is there a strategy for future funding or broader dissemination? Or what is the potential for sustainability, scaling, or long-term follow-up
Contact Information
If you have any questions about this form or the SDG Research Grants, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://sdg.umn.edu/sdg-research-grants-program
Thank you for your interest in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through your research at the University of Minnesota. We look forward to reviewing your proposal!
Past Grants
- SDG Rapid Response grants were awarded in 2020 to support SDG-linked work of UMN faculty, research staff, and graduate students. Grants were awarded to support projects involving time-sensitive data collection related to the COVID-19 global pandemic or the global movement to eradicate racism; pilot projects seeking to launch new SDG research; and projects redirecting research agendas to COVID-19 or to Minnesota-based SDG work. The response to the call for proposals came from across the Twin Cities and system campuses with 15 grants up to $5,000 awarded.
- In Spring 2021 the UMN SDG Initiative launched a second round of research grants as a next step in its efforts to support and promote the SDGs. The 2021 SDG Research Grants Program awarded up to $20,000 to faculty and research staff to support SDG-aligned projects. In August 2021, the UMN SDG Initiative announced the awarding of approximately $120,000 to seven research projects that align with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the University’s strategic priorities, and needs identified by communities. The awarded projects include teams from two UMN campuses, seven departments and six colleges. In total,10 SDGs are represented across the seven projects.
- In Summer 2022, the 2022 SDG Research Grants were opened and of approximately $160,000 was awarded and distributed to eight research projects, four of which were jointly funded by the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs (OACA), that align with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the University’s strategic priorities and needs identified by communities. The awarded projects include teams from two U of M campuses, eleven departments/units and seven colleges/schools. In total,10 SDGs are represented across the eight projects.