The Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS) has selected the recipients of its 2026 Seed Funding Awards, supporting a new cohort of interdisciplinary research projects that harness information technology to address society’s most pressing challenges. Bringing together investigators from all four CITRIS campuses – UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Merced and UC Santa Cruz – the competitive program provides early-stage funding to help researchers develop proof-of-concept ideas, build new collaborations and pursue larger external funding opportunities. Since its launch in 2008, the program has supported more than 265 projects led by more than 420 UC innovators, attracting more than $60 million in follow-on funding.
This year’s awardees are advancing research in areas including aerospace and aviation, digital health, and sustainability and climate resilience. By supporting bold, early-stage ideas, the Seed funding program gives researchers the opportunity to test new approaches, build cross-campus collaborations and lay the groundwork for discoveries that can improve lives and strengthen California’s innovation ecosystem.
The winning proposals are:
AEROSPACE AND AVIATION
An information-enabled design framework for adaptive flight with an avian-like morphing wing
Principal investigators: Christina Harvey (lead PI, UC Davis), Grace Gu (UC Berkeley), and Zhoadan Kong (UC Davis)
DIGITAL HEALTH
Autonomous seizure forecasting using skin-integrated monitoring of thermal dynamics
Principal Investigators: Hyoyoung Jeong (lead PI, UC Davis), Masud Seyal (UC Davis Health)
SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Next-generation sustainable concrete for coastal resilience: bridging high performance, affordability, durability, and emissions
Principal Investigators: Marina Garcia Lopez-Arias (lead PI, UC Merced), Arpad Horvath (UC Berkeley)
A full story highlighting the winning teams and their projects is coming soon.