Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards 2027
| To: | Associate Deans for Research; College/School Research Administrators |
| From: | Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research |
| Date: | October 02, 2026 |
| Subject: | Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards 2027 |
Deadline
| Deadline for Internal Review: | October 30, 2026 |
Project Description
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program provides seed money for research by junior faculty at ORAU member institutions. These awards are intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty and result in new funding opportunities.
Research must fall within one of these seven disciplines:
- Engineering and Applied Science
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics/Computer Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Policy, Management, or Education
- Critical Mineral Constraints on SMR Deployment Capacity in the U.S.
- Responsible AI in STEM Education Policy
Amount per Award: $5,000 (with required match of at least an additional $5,000)
Duration of Award: 1 Year (July 1 to June 30)
Number of Awards: 36 Awards in 2026
Eligibility
Full-time assistant professors within two years of their initial tenure track appointment (Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 6, 2027) at the time of application at an ORAU member institution are eligible.
UW-Madison is allowed to submit two nominations.
Please note: Each department may submit materials for one faculty member for this internal competition. Applications must be submitted to OVCR through the researcher’s home department.
Website
The following link contains additional information on the program and specific application instructions:
https://www.orau.org/partnerships/grant-programs/powe/index.html
Internal Competition Application Instructions
Applications for Internal Review
To submit your application, attach a single PDF to an email to: grants@research.wisc.edu. Please include the following:
- Cover page including PI name, contact information, and title of the project. Please also include a statement indicating that your department chair has reviewed and approved your application and has selected you as the department’s sole nominee for this internal competition, and that your department chair or dean is aware that a letter of nomination will be required if selected as the UW nominee.
- One-page abbreviated resume
- One-page listing publications and/or presentations
- Two-page research proposal that should address the following:
- Research goals and objectives and relevant background
- Expected research outcomes and relevance
- Research design and methodology
- Competence of the applicant to perform the proposed research
- Available research facilities and resources
- Budget justification
- Additional single page of references relating to the proposal (optional)
Sponsor Deadlines
Applications are due to Oak Ridge Associated Universities by January 06, 2027.
Questions?
Contact grants@research.wisc.edu.