Early Stage Urban Research Awards

We make catalytic investments in diverse academic research across the Boston University community through our Early Stage Urban Research Awards while advancing the understanding of complex urban challenges and effective policies and solutions.

Apply for Funding

The Initiative on Cities invites Boston University faculty and doctoral students to apply for seed funding through our Early Stage Urban Research Awards. These awards support research addressing urban challenges and urban populations in the U.S. and abroad. The application for the 2025 cycle is now open.

Funded Projects

The Initiative has funded over 101 projects to date on a variety of topics ranging from the study of urban coral and CO₂ fertilization in urban green roofs to the impact of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes and the evaluation of summer mental health programming for youth.