Research Seed & Software Impact Seed Programs

Call for 2026-2027 IEE Research Seed and Software Impact Grant Proposals

UC Santa Barbara's Institute for Energy Efficiency (IEE) invites proposals for its 2026-2027 Research Seed Grant and Software Impact Grant programs. IEE is an interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to advancing energy efficiency across the following core themes:

• Energy-Efficient AI and Machine Learning: Developing next-generation algorithms, software, and hardware that reduce the energy required to train and deploy AI systems by orders of magnitude while maintaining performance and scalability.

• Energy-Efficient Quantum Technologies: Advancing quantum computing, communications, and sensing technologies that enable transformative capabilities with dramatically lower energy consumption than conventional approaches. (Eligible for the new Gauthier Family seed funding opportunity described below.)

• AI-Informed Computing Architectures and Infrastructure: Creating intelligent computing systems that use AI to optimize hardware, software, networking, and data center operations for maximum performance and energy efficiency.

• Energy-Efficient Photonics and Electronics: Pioneering photonic, electronic, and optoelectronic technologies that enable ultra-low-power communications, sensing, computing, and information processing from chips to global networks. (Eligible for the new Gauthier Family seed funding opportunity described below.)

• Energy and Water Infrastructure: Transforming the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of energy generation, storage, distribution, buildings, transportation, agriculture, water, and industrial systems.

• Energy Analysis and Policy: Providing the data, economic analysis, and policy frameworks needed to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and guide evidence-based energy decisions worldwide.

IEE Research Seed Grants
Since 2019, IEE has awarded 18 research seed grants to faculty across the UCSB campus. For 2026-2027, researchers are encouraged to submit proposals requesting up to $50,000.
Special 2026-2027 opportunity: The Gauthier Family has established and funded a new IEE seed grant opportunity focused on Quantum Science and/or Photonics. Proposals within these areas will automatically be considered for the Gauthier Quantum and Photonics Seed Program. IEE expects to award multiple research seed grants, including at least one award through this new program.

IEE Software Impact Grants
IEE also invites applications for the 2026-2027 IEE Software Impact Grant program (formerly the IGSB SW Impact Grant Program), which supports software for energy efficiency, including AI and machine learning. Since its launch in 2022, the program has awarded 6 grants and is supported by generous donations from the Duca Family and the Investment Group of Santa Barbara.
Applicants may request $50,000 to $100,000 for one year. Funding for subsequent years may be possible based on progress during the first year. IEE expects to award one or more Software Impact Grants.

Key Dates
Proposal deadline: Monday, August 17, 2026
Anticipated award start date: Thursday, October 1, 2026 
 
Eligibility
UCSB ladder faculty members of all ranks are eligible to submit proposals, provided the proposed research addresses an energy-efficiency-related topic. UCSB graduate students and postdoctoral researchers may apply with the support of a faculty member in their area.

Application Process
Before submitting an application, researchers are welcome to seek informal feedback on their project idea from IEE Director Steven DenBaars at spdenbaars@ucsb.edu or IEE Associate Director Galan Moody at moody@ece.ucsb.edu.

Applications must be submitted online by the deadline and must include:
1. A three-page project summary describing the project goals, anticipated impact, and timeline
2. A one-page budget (please contact Amanda Miller at amandamiller@ucsb.edu for assistance)
3. A two-page CV for the lead PI and each co-PI
 

Budget
IEE Research Seed Grant: Up to $50,000, including proposals considered for the Gauthier Family Quantum and Photonics Seed Program.
IEE Software Impact Grant: Up to $100,000.

Allowable Expenses

• Research assistance, including UCSB graduate or undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers
• Research expenses, supplies, and services
• Travel directly supporting research, collaboration, or meetings with potential funding agencies

Review Criteria for IEE Research Seed Grants
Priority will be given to projects aligned with IEE themes for which seed funding could make a significant difference—for example, by enabling novel, innovative, or early-stage work that may be difficult to support through conventional funding mechanisms. Projects with the potential to lead to extramural funding through IEE are especially encouraged.
 
Review Criteria for IEE Software Impact Seed Grants
IEE seeks high-impact software projects in energy efficiency and related areas where this level of funding could enable a meaningful technical advance or substantially reduce project risk. Proposals with commercialization potential and the prospect of positive societal impact are encouraged. Applicants should clearly justify the anticipated energy-efficiency benefits and potential cost savings.

Applying for One or Both Programs
Applicants may designate a proposal for one or both programs. Research Seed Grant proposals in Quantum Science and/or Photonics will automatically be considered for the Gauthier Quantum and Photonics Seed Program; no separate application is required.
All programs use the same submission and review process, but the selection criteria differ. The IEE Research Seed Grant program emphasizes early-stage energy-efficiency innovation and projects that can position faculty for future extramural funding. The IEE Software Impact Grant program emphasizes high-impact software projects that can make a substantial technical advance, reduce risk, and potentially lead to commercialization and positive societal impact within a reasonable time frame. Applicants should select the program designation or designations that best fit the proposed work.

Reporting Requirements
A final report summarizing the project results and explaining how IEE funding advanced the work is required. Reports are due within 30 days after the award end date.

Please upload all materials to the submission form. Thank you!