Funding Sources & Opportunities

4.1 University Intramural Support for Research

The University provides a range of intramural funding programs designed to support faculty research, scholarly activity, creative work, and the development of competitive extramural proposals. 

4.1.1 Research Instrumentation Fund

The Research Instrumentation Fund supports the acquisition, replacement, or upgrade of major research instruments essential to advancing the University's scholarly and scientific mission. Funding is restricted exclusively to equipment purchases.

Proposals are evaluated based on:

• The anticipated impact on scholarship and research productivity;
• The potential to enhance competitivenes for future extramural funding;
• The degree to which the equipment will support multiple investigators or units; and 
• Additional factors demonstrating the benefit to the University's research infrastructure.

Preference is given to multi-year, shared-instrumentation proposals that strengthen the core research capabilities.

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4.1.2 University of Utah Research Foundation (UURF) Funding

The University of Utah Research Foundation (UURF) administers several internal funding programs that provide support for faculty research, creative projects, and interdisciplinary initiatives. These programs include:

4.1.2.1 Interdisciplinary Research Initiative 

The Interdisciplinary Research Initiative (IRI)  supports use-inspired, collaborative research efforts that address national priorities, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and contribute to long-term economic vitality. Proposals must align with one or more of the 24 emerging priority areas outlined in the VPR strategic plan.

4.1.2.2 Faculty Small Grant Program (FSGP)

The Faculty Small Grant Program (FSGP) provides up to $10,000 for one year to support scholarly publications, pilot studies, creative research, and early-stage work that can lead to external funding or significant scholarly output.

4.1.2.3 Faculty Fellow Awards (FFA)

The Faculty Fellow Awards (FFA) provide eligible faculty members with a full semester of release time - at full salary - from teaching or administrative responsibilities. These awards support intensive scholarly or creative research efforts requiring concentrated time and attention. 

 4.1.2.4 Distinguished Research Awards

The Distinguished Research Award (DRA) recognizes three faculty members annually for outstanding achievements and sustained excellence in research. This award represents one of the University's highest honors for research distinction.

4.1.2.5 Research Instrumentation Fund (RIF)

The Research Instrumentation Fund (RIF) program supports faculty and University core facilities in acquiring or upgrading essential research instrumentation necessary to advance ongoing and emerging research efforts. 

4.1.2.6 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program

The 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program promotoes cross-campus and cross-disciplinary collaboration to address complex local, national, and global challenges. The program encourages faculty from diverse fields to develop innovative partnerships and pilot projects that may lead to larger research initiatives and external funding opportunities. 

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1. University Intramural Support for Research
   1. Research Instrumentation Fund
   2. University of Utah Research Foundation (UURF)
2. External Support for Research
   1. Identifying Potential Sponsors & Funding Resources
3. Limited Submissions
4. SBIR/STTR