The University of Utah Research Foundation (UURF) Interdisciplinary Research Initiative is designed to produce use-inspired research and outcomes that will address national priorities, global competitiveness and strong economic futures. Proposals must be aligned with one or more of the 24 emerging priority areas outlined in the VPR strategic plan (see ‘Emerging Priorities’ section below).

The primary outcome for this program is to support investigators in producing external funding proposal submissions. Exemplary proposals will be focused on use-inspired research and demonstrate a clear timeline and proposal development plan for extramural submissions. For purposes of this RFP, use-inspired research is driven by the potential use of the knowledge it generates.

Exemplary proposals may also consider the following strategic goals when preparing an application:

1. Expand Funding Portfolio
2. Foster Interdisciplinary Research
3. Strengthen Commercialization
4. Create High Quality Scholarship
5. Drive Community Impact
6. Cultivate Industry Partnerships
7. Support Research on Security & Defense
8. Modernize Future Workforce

Applications will be submitted by teams from two or more different units. Teams should focus on bringing together researchers from different fields-of-study, departments, colleges, units, and other intellectual or organizational divides to pursue groundbreaking use-inspired research. Industry and philanthropic partners can be considered as units of participation. Proposals must represent new and innovative research directions.

The source of this funding is from the University of Utah Research Foundation (UURF). The VPR manages the process and stewardship of this program (more information on the UURF found in the ‘Other Program Information’ section of this RFP).

The program has two tracks:

• Track 1: Seed Grants
  • Track 1 provides a smaller amount of funding and is designed to support early stages of a research project. Seed grants are typically awarded for the first phases of a project.
  • The total allowable budget for Track 1 proposals is up to $50,000. Matching funds are required and must equal or exceed 30% of the requested budget.
    • Example: If a Track 1 project requests the full $50,000 budget, the award breakdown would be $35,000 in UURF funds and $15,000 in matching funds.
  • Full funding from the UURF provided up front.
  • Deadline: 11:59 PM MST on Thursday, October 23^rd, 2025.

• Track 2: Large Impact Grants
  • Track 2 provides a larger amount of funding and is designed to significantly expand or scale-up existing work for broader impact or application. Large impact grants are not typically awarded for the first phases of a project but will be applicable once a project has mature data, etc. and is ready to be scaled up.
  • The total allowable budget for Track 2 proposals is up to $250,000. Matching funds are required and must equal or exceed 30% of the requested budget.
    • Example: If a Track 2 project requests the full $250,000 budget, the award breakdown would be $175,000 in UURF funds and $75,000 in matching funds.
  • 50% of UURF funding is provided at time of award. Awardees must submit progress report at halfway point. Remaining 50% is contingent on approval of progress report.
  • Deadline: 11:59 PM MST on Thursday, March 19^th, 2026.

Applications must align with one or more of the following 24 emerging priorities in the VPR strategic plan:

Emerging Health Areas:

• Genomics & Gene Therapy
• Bioeconomy
• Child Health
• Women’s Health
• Mental & Behavioral Health
• Medical Engineering
• Digital Health
• Rural & Remote

Emerging Technology Areas:

• Aerospace & Space
• Energy
• Wireless & Telecom
• Supply Chain
• Cybersecurity
• Robotics & Drones
• AI & Quantum
• Advanced Manufacturing

Emerging Society Areas:

• Food & Diet
• Community
• Disasters
• Engaged Arts
• Families
• Water & Air
• Global Citizenship
• Dialogue & Dispute

• Lead applicant/Principal Investigator (PI) must be tenure-line or career-line faculty in residence at the University of Utah and must hold at least a 0.75 FTE appointment to apply. Lead applicant/Principal Investigator (PI) must be in good standing with the university.
• PI will need to provide source and amount of matching funds and ensure matching funds are secure.
• Project teams must include personnel (PI, Co-PI/Co-I) from at least two separate units. Teams should focus on bringing together researchers from different fields-of-study, departments, colleges, units, and other intellectual or organizational divides to pursue groundbreaking use-inspired research. Industry and philanthropic partners can be considered as units of participation.
• A lead applicant/PI may only act as lead applicant/PI on one application. A faculty member may participate in up to three total applications under any other capacity (Co-PI, Co-I, advisory, senior personnel, etc.). It is the responsibility of the lead applicant/PI to ensure all individuals participating in the proposal have available time/bandwidth to conduct the proposed work if awarded. This should be considered when building an application for this program.
• Research that is already supported by other sources (including other VPR-sponsored internal funding programs) is not eligible for this seed funding.
• Proposals that have already been reviewed by an external agency and found noncompetitive will not be considered for funding.

Proposals for Track 1 are due by 11:59 PM, on Thursday, October 23^rd, 2025.

Proposals for Track 2 are due by 11:59 PM, on Thursday, March 19^th, 2026.

An informational town hall will be held via Zoom on Friday, August 15^th from 10:00-11:00 AM. Click HERE to register for this webinar.

Proposal budget outline should be submitted for the total amount of funding. There is no required budget template. Written budget justification is also required. Budgets should be well-justified, accurate, and reflect the full scope of the proposed work. Teams are encouraged to request only the amount of funds needed to execute the project successfully. Overinflated budgets will not be approved.  All requested line items must be within university policy.

Requested Budget: 

Total award amount from the UURF:

• Track 1: The total allowable budget for Track 1 proposals is up to $50,000. Matching funds are required and must equal or exceed 30% of the requested budget.
  • Example: If a Track 1 project requests the full $50,000 budget, the award breakdown would be $35,000 in UURF funds and $15,000 in matching funds.
• Track 2: The total allowable budget for Track 2 proposals is up to $250,000. Matching funds are required and must equal or exceed 30% of the requested budget.
  • Example: If a Track 2 project requests the full $250,000 budget, the award breakdown would be $175,000 in UURF funds and $75,000 in matching funds.

Matching funds: 

• Matching funds are required at a minimum of 30% of the requested project budget to be considered for award.
• Matching funds can be provided from any source, including industry or other external partners.
• There is no limit on the amount of matching funds.
• The amount and source of matching funds must be identified in the application (see ‘Required Application Materials’ section below).
• Applications with matching funds from industry partners must provide a scope of work with their application. This scope of work is subject to thorough review by TLO and other University leaders to ensure all University policy is upheld. Lead applicant/PI is responsible for understanding and communicating expectations of partnership with external entities.

Use-of-Funds/Allowable Expenses:

• This program covers direct costs immediately related to conducting the proposed work. Examples of direct costs may include:
  • Hourly wages for student/staff assistance
  • Stipends for assistance from graduate students operating outside their typical job responsibilities
  • Hiring of Post docs (one year of support maximum)
  • Core recharge support
  • Equipment /instrumentation (for equipment directly related to conducting the proposed project)
  • Supplies needed to conduct the research/project
  • Compensation for research participants (within university policy)
  • Proposal development costs. i.e. consulting and other grant development resources

Restrictions on Funds:

• Travel (Important Note: Some travel costs that are directly and demonstrably related to successful completion of the project may be allowable. Please see the FAQ at the bottom of this page for details)
• Faculty salaries or course/administrative buy-out
• Tuition (of any kind)
• Graduate student-initiated and led projects (i.e., this program cannot fund proposals where graduate students are acting as PI/lead on project. Graduate students can be a part of the research team)
• Curriculum development
• Career development (e.g., taking courses, attending professional conferences, etc.)
• Computers or computer hardware (unless the applicant can provide strong evidence that the project cannot be pursued without procuring that specific computer hardware or workstation – contact vprgrants@utah.edu with questions)
• Society/group memberships

Written timeline and project plan must be provided and should include the following information below. This is typically provided as a chart or a graph showing dates, activities and key outcomes and deliverables.

1. The full timeline/duration of your project: Timelines should be as feasible and accurate as possible. Inflated timelines without clear milestones/deliverables will not be approved. We strongly encourage you to consider and plan for potential delays, setbacks, etc. when determining timeline. Timelines may not exceed 12 months.
2. Specific milestones/deliverables: Milestones/deliverables should be identified for each quarter (quarter = 3 months) of the full duration/timeline of your project. Example: If your project is 6 months in length, you would identify 2 quarters of milestones and deliverables. If your project is 12 months in length, you would identify 4 quarters of milestones and deliverables.

All required application materials listed below will be formatted as individual uploads within the InfoReady competition platform

• Executive Abstract (PDF format only; one-paragraph/500-word maximum). Abstract should include aim/goal for utilization of seed funds. Abstract should also include up to 10 keywords that help identify the key objectives, disciplines, research types, and associated departments of the proposal. Keywords are separate from 500 word/3000-character maximum.
• Emerging Priority Area(s): All applicants must identify and convincingly demonstrate that the proposed project aligns with an emerging priority.
• Team Roster (PDF or Excel Format Only): Team Roster must include all senior personnel on project. The following information must be provided for each associated individual:
  • Full Name
  • Professional Title
  • Home Department (for University of Utah affiliated team members)
  • Home College (for University of Utah affiliated team members)
  • Name of Company or Organization (for external partners)
  • Participation Type (PI, Co-PI, Co-I, Sr. Personnel, etc.)
  • Specific Role/Relationship to Project
• Research Narrative (3-page maximum, PDF format only, single-spaced, 12-point font): All proposal narratives must include:
  • A clear description of the project with strong objectives, specific research questions/creative objectives, justification for the project, and a concise description of methodology and procedure.
  • A clear description of how the proposal addresses a funding need. Identify why the UURF Interdisciplinary Research Initiative is an ideal mechanism for accomplishing a specific goal as part of a larger research effort.
• External Funding Plan (1-page maximum, PDF format only, single-spaced, 12-point font):
  All external funding plans must include:
  • External funding agency, name of funding program/opportunity and target deadline.
  • Please include the above information for all planned external submissions (if more than one).
• Impact/Translation Statement (1-page maximum, PDF format only, single-spaced, 12-point font): Please outline how the proposal is focused on use-inspired research and outcomes. For purposes of this RFP, use-inspired research is driven by the potential use of the knowledge it generates.
• Timeline and Milestones Project Plan (PDF or Excel format only): Please provide a succinct timeline of your proposed project with defined quarterly milestones that can be clearly measured. Please reference the ‘Timeline and Milestones Project Plan Guidance’ section of this RFP when preparing project plan.
• Budget Outline (PDF or Excel Format): Full budget outline required. Please reference the ‘Budget Guidelines and Restrictions’ section of the RFP when completing this outline.
• Budget Justification (1-page maximum, PDF format only, single-spaced, 12-point font): Written budget justification required. Please reference the ‘Budget Guidelines and Restrictions’ section of the RFP when completing this justification.
• Matching Funds Sources and Amounts (PDF or Excel format only): All applicants must provide information on source of matching funds and amount provided by each source.
• Scope of Work for projects with industry partners (2-page maximum, PDF format only, single spaced, 12-point font):
  Scope of work must include: amount of funding provided by industry partner, specific details on the work the industry partner will provide, deliverables/outcomes of the partnership, expectations of the industry partner from the project, and any other details required to review the scope of partnership.
  Important Note: Scope of work statements will be reviewed by the appropriate University offices and leadership.
• Letters of Support (Combined PDF format only)*: Please provide a letter of support from each source of matching funds.
  *Note: Colleges/Dean’s Offices committing matching funds (through central college support) may provide applicants with a stock letter that indicates the college will provide matching funds to applications favorably reviewed by the peer review process. The VPR Office will consult with Colleges/Dean’s Office after peer review to confirm matching fund commitments. Departments, individual contributors, external partners, and all other matching fund contributors  must provide a detailed letter of support with amount of matching funds being provided. Please contact vprgrants@utah.edu with questions.

Applications will receive a two-part review.

1. Peer Review: Applications will be reviewed for merit, accuracy and scientific excellence by a committee of the applicant’s peers. All applications will be scored by peers.
2. Leadership Review: After peer review, ranked and scored applications will be reviewed by university leadership for award recommendation. The VPR and senior leadership determine awards.

In general, and at minimum, applications are evaluated on the criteria listed below. Reviewers may also comment on other strengths/weaknesses/elements of the proposal. This is to ensure applications receive a thorough review of their merit, impact, and feasibility and to ensure the highest-quality proposals with highest likelihood of success are recommended for funding.

• Overall quality, merit, and significance of the proposal
• Demonstrated alignment with one or more emerging national priorities areas and VPR strategic plan
• Well-planned and clearly articulated timeline, milestones and deliverables
• Strength of the proposal's research questions, methodologies, personnel, facilities, etc.
• Likelihood that the project will lead to extramural
• Articulated need for funding
• Potential Impact of the work on the University of Utah and surrounding communities

No Cost Extensions: NCEs will not be available for this program, no exceptions. Contact vprgrants@utah.edu with questions.

Rebudget  Requests: PIs requesting a rebudget must do so within the first six months of the project. Strong justification outlining why the budget change is needed will be required. Rebudget requests are subject to review and approval. Contact vprgrants@utah.edu with questions.

Source of Program Funding: The source of this funding is from the University of Utah Research Foundation (UURF). The UURF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1970 to support and advance research at the University of Utah. It provides a flexible framework for conducting research and facilitates the transfer of discoveries, inventions, and other innovations by university faculty, staff, and students from the laboratory to the public. Funds generated through licensing such discoveries are used to further enhance research at the university. The VPR manages the process and stewardship of this program.

Progress Reports:

• Progress reports are not required for Track 1 awardees. The Office of the VPR may informally check in on progress for all Track 1 awardees.
• Progress reports will be required for all Track 2 awardees. Progress reports must be submitted by the midpoint of the project. Progress reports are subject to approval. Progress reports may be reviewed by the VPR and/or a designee of the VPR.
• Specific details/requirements for progress reports will be provided in the conditions of acceptance letters upon award.

Final Reports:

• The recipient of award for this mechanism is required to submit a final report for both tracks. These reports will be required to identify a summary of the project, outcomes, next steps, etc. Specific Final Report information will be shared in the award letter to selected applicants.
• Final reports demonstrate impact and are essential for continuation of the program. Given that, PIs with outstanding progress or final reports will no longer be eligible to receive VPR sponsored internal funding of any kind.
• Specific details/requirements for final reports will be provided in the conditions of acceptance letters upon award.

FY26 applications are due:

• • Track 1: 11:59pm (MST) on Thursday, October 23^rd, 2025

TRACK 1 - APPLY HERE

• • Track 2: 11:59pm (MST) on Thursday, March 19^th, 2026

TRACK 2 - APPLY HERE

Applications must be submitted via InfoReady.

August 6th, 2025:

• Q: Is it allowable to consider faculty time or other in-kind contributions as part of the matching funds requirement?
  • A: No. In-kind contributions do not count as matching funds.

October 9th, 2025:

• Q: Are travel costs that are related to field work/data collection/archival research allowable? 
  • A: Yes. Travel costs that are demonstrably research-related and serve a direct and specific purpose for the successful completion of the project will be allowed. Clear demonstration/justification for research-related travel costs is required. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
    
    Examples of travel-related costs that are allowable for this program may include:
    • Data collection/asset accumulation
    • Archival research/accessing archives
    • Field work
    • Using/accessing specific facilities (like national labs)
    Examples of travel-related costs that would remain unallowable for this program:
    • Professional Development
    • Attending conferences/presenting findings at conferences or meetings
    • Consultations

Please contact vprgrants@utah.edu with questions about this program.