Academic Affairs shifts faculty research grant funds to colleges

Starting next fiscal year, the Division of Academic Affairs will reallocate the $500,000 in annual funding earmarked for the internal Faculty Research Grants program directly to individual college budgets.

The Faculty Research Grants program has long supported faculty research in all forms. The shift comes as the University’s funded research portfolio continues to increase while faculty research support needs become more distinct.

The change, made in consultation with the deans and the Division of Research, is intended to better meet the research needs of different disciplines and reduce the administrative burden on faculty who are asked to serve on internal grant committees at both the college and University level.

Under the new model, each college will allocate these funds to support faculty research based on its own specific requirements. Deans are developing plans for how their college will use the funds. Several colleges already have internal mechanisms for funding research.

The funding level for each college will be based on its recent faculty research grant award history.

Faculty research will continue to be supported. The Division of Research will ensure that training related to grant proposal writing is available as it explores new ways to support interdisciplinary research.

Faculty Research Grant program funds have already been allocated for 2025-26 based on review by the Faculty Research Grants Committee in 2024-25. Allocations from academic affairs directly to the colleges will be made available for awards in 2026-27.