The Cabot Institute Seedcorn Fund (formerly known as the Innovation Fund) allows us to support bold, ambitious, and impactful ideas that transcend disciplinary boundaries.

This call invites new ideas from our research community – those that might not receive funding from traditional sources, but which show real intellectual or practical promise.

Applicants benefit not only from the funding to deliver their project, but also the support from Cabot Institute staff to communicate and develop their ideas. Crucially, these projects are focussed on creating something new, from new connections across disciplines to new solutions for society.

We do a lot with a little

With £30,000 of donations, this year’s Seedcorn Fund has supported young researchers to develop their careers, facilitated new projects amongst award-winning scientists, pump-primed future research proposals, established global networks, and supported real-world impacts.

Find out more about the Seedcorn Fund projects that have been supported by donors like yourself.

New videos show the impact of the Seedcorn Fund

Professor Daniela Schmidt, Dr Camilla Morelli and Sophie Marsh, freelance animator, discuss their Seedcorn Fund project 'Waves of Change'.

Professor Tom Richardson, Professor Matt Watson and Dr Sam Penney, Bristol Zoological Society, discuss their work into developing autonomous drones for conservation.

Dr Eunice Lo discusses the interdisciplinary project on heat stress and women's health supported by the Seedcorn Fund.