American Chemical Society (ACS) - Petroleum Research Fund (PRF): New Directions Grants

The New Directions (ND) grants program provides funds to scientists and engineers with limited, or even no, preliminary results for a research project they wish to pursue, who intend to use the PRF-driven preliminary results to seek continuation funding from other agencies. ND grants are to be used to illustrate proof of concept/feasibility. Accordingly, they are to be viewed as seed money for new research ventures. Funding: $110K over 2 years. Estimated number of grants awarded: ~100/year.
Research Topics: http://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/funding/grants/prf/PRF%20AB%20Sci%20Disciplines_112013.pdf

http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/funding-and-awards/grants/prf/programs/nd.html