VPR-RAD Catalyst Grants

The VPR-RAD Catalyst Grants represent a partnership between OVPR and the research leadership within schools/colleges to aid in unit-wide experiments and projects to strengthen the research environment and advance unit-specific research goals.

Learn More and Apply (rolling submissions)

InfoReady Review

The VPR-RAD Catalyst Grants aim to create opportunities for schools/colleges to advance research and unit-wide grant development needs (e.g., catalyzing interdisciplinary workgroups, holding mock grant review panels, etc.), advance strategic research goals, or facilitate collaboration across schools/colleges in key emerging areas.

These funds are one time and are not planned to be recurring, but to stimulate new pathways or aid schools in creating new focus areas. Proposals are to be submitted by the Research Associate Deans (RADs), who will administer them and be responsible for the funds, and are intended to represent priorities of the school/college. Proposals by several RADS in collaboration also are encouraged. These funds will be one time and are not intended for long-term support of novel school/college research programming.

Award Information

Awards will be $25K-50K depending on scope/impact and availability of funds. Up to 5 grants per year.

Review Criteria

Meritorious proposals should address the following criteria:

  1. Will the proposal build research capacity in the unit and/or across the institution?
  2. Is the budget reasonable with clear timelines and deliverables?
  3. Does the proposal topic align with other university priorities or activities?
  4. Does the project have the potential to lead to future funding opportunities?
  5. How will the activities be sustained or phased out after the one-time funds are used?
Eligibility
  • Research Associate Deans (RADs) from Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses are eligible to apply.
  • RADs representing LSA-Social Sciences and Humanities, the College of Engineering and Michigan Medicine (Ann Arbor campus) are eligible to apply in partnership with proposals led by smaller units where programmatically appropriate.
Proposal Requirements

The proposal (2-page maximum) should include:

  1. Expected outcomes and plans for funding
  2. Significance of activity and benefit to school/college and U-M overall
  3. Key personnel
  4. Description of how activities further U-M’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Budget: Detailed budget/breakdown of expenses and budget justification (1-page maximum)

Proposal Submissions
  • Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • For more information and to submit proposals, please visit InfoReady Review.

Questions?
If you have any further questions, please contact [email protected].