Cyrus Tang Foundation – 2027 Grant Opportunity

The Cyrus Tang Foundation is seeking cross-cultural, multidisciplinary projects in Global Health, Arts & Culture (Bridging US & China), and Education (Skills for a Changing World). All projects must include a university partner based in China. The summary below details funding priorities and eligibility.

Please plan to attend an information session hosted by the Cyrus Tang Foundation where they will provide an overview and answer questions.

📅 Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00–2:30 PM PT / 4:00–4:30 PM CT / 5:00–5:30 PM ET
**** Please email CFR@uci.edu for the Zoom Link or if you miss the Webinar and are interested in applying

If after attending the webinar you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please email Corporate and Foundation Relations at CFR@uci.edu and we will send the LOI requirements. The one-page concept paper is due March 31, 2026.  

More About this Opportunity

The Cyrus Tang Foundation (CTF) invites concept papers for their 2027 Project Initiatives. The foundation emphasizes cross-cultural, multidisciplinary approaches to solving complex problems. All projects MUST include a China partner. Teams without established Chinese partners can still apply but must incorporate a China component into their project design. Already approved Chinese university partners can be found here  or CFR can email you a list.

Past support to UCI has ranged from $75,000 to $600,000. Past UCI awardees include Water UCI , the Humanities Center and a cross-School Mental Health project.

Funding Areas

1. 1. Global Health
      • Health Impact of Climate Change
      • Urban Environment
      • Youth Mental Health
   2.  Arts & Culture – Bridging US & China*
      • Must deepen cross-cultural understanding between China and the United States
      • Must address societal challenges through arts and culture

* NOT prioritized: Solely performative programs or residency/showcase formats without broader educational or societal engagement

1. Education – Skills for a Changing World
   • Communication Skills
   • Socio-emotional Learning (SEL) and Well-being
   • Resilience and Grit
   • Adaptability and Problem-Solving
   • Creativity and Innovation
   • Digital Literacy and Responsible Technology Use
   • Collaborative Learning and Teamwork
   • Leadership and Agency in Youth Education
   • Cross-Cultural Competence and Global Citizenship

All proposals must clearly address why the area is worth focusing on, what the quantifiable and qualitative impacts would be if successful, how the impact will be measured, sustained, and grown over time, and how the proposal compares with existing approaches and methods.

Note: CTF does not fund indirect costs, faculty salary/buyouts, app development, AI, nor STEM fields. They want tangible work conducted in China. They are not interested in standard exchange programs.