Fall Research Competition
The Fall Research Competition application opens on August 17, 2026 at 8 a.m. and closes on September 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Eligibility
This competition is for tenured professors and associate professors, tenure-track assistant professors, and permanent PIs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Faculty members and permanent principal investigators (PI) may submit one application to the Fall Research Competition. This submission may be either individual or involve collaboration with another faculty member or permanent PI. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in December 2026.
Award recipients will be required to complete a brief report at the end of the award period as well as follow up reports describing the impact of the award.
Description
An important goal for the Fall Research Competition is that OVCR investments lead to external funding. To make the best use of the funds available to the Committee, an important goal is that Research Committee investments lead to continued external funding in disciplines where that is possible. Senior faculty, and junior faculty who have received significant prior fall research competition funding and/or significant OVCR funding, are encouraged to submit proposals that serve as backup support for external grant applications. Alternatively, funding may be requested for pilot studies in new research directions, with the goal of developing preliminary data that will increase the likelihood of competitive extramural support. See the FAQs below for further information on priorities for funding within each division. Information about the granting procedures of various federal and non-federal agencies is available from the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs.
If you are applying for a Guggenheim, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), or American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) fellowship, contact your Divisional Associate Vice Chancellor. Make sure you know and understand the supplementation policies, especially for external research fellowships other than the three identified above.
Review the Research Committee Policies for 2026.
Application Preview
Please see the examples of a 2026 application form along with the associated Instructions. For further information about eligibility and types of support, see the Competition policies for 2026.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) by Division
Before starting your application, read all the FAQs for your division linked below for important information on new priorities and other changes for this year.
Apply Online: https://competitions.ovcr.wisc.edu/Submissions/
Contact Information
Questions about the application?
competitions@research.wisc.edu or 608-262-8387 or 608-265-6931
Having technical difficulties?
ovcr-it-for-administration@office365.wisc.edu
Past applications and results: https://competitions.ovcr.wisc.edu/Submissions/