Reimagining Next Phase Research Initiative
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
About the Initiative
Recent interruptions to and cancellations of federal research awards have jeopardized our ability to engage in and complete critical research at UW–Madison. While campus cannot replace all interrupted or canceled federal funds, it is crucial that we strategically invest, as widely as possible, in ongoing and future research in affected fields. This initiative will support researchers who have experienced or are highly likely to experience an interruption to or cancellation of federal funding, particularly in the case where funding from the same source may be unavailable in the future. Support must be used to reimagine the next phase of the investigator’s research and establish a sustainable path to future extramural support in the current funding environment. The OVCR will support projects at up to $100,000 per project for a one-year funding period. If you have applied to the Fall Research Competition this fall, you are not eligible to apply for this initiative. Applications to both mechanisms from the same faculty member/permanent PI will result in the withdrawal of both applications.
Applicants must demonstrate via a short proposal: (1) financial need (federal funding barriers to continuation; absence of flexible research funds to support the work; inability to obtain adequate funding from the campus bridge funding program); (2) a plan for how the investigators will reimagine the next phase of the research and a rationale for how this ‘reimagining’ will lead to a sustainable extramural funding path for the project, including identification of funding mechanisms that will be targeted; and (3) an explanation of how the infusion of OVCR funds will be used to establish this path forward. Submissions based on anticipated federal funding interruptions or terminations will only receive RNPR support if federal funding interruptions/terminations occur.
Projects may target a variety of extramural funding sources, including federal, industry, philanthropic, and /or state funds, and/or projects that have entrepreneurial potential. Partnership with industry and focus on the RISE areas are highly encouraged. Projects should identify specific mechanisms through which the investigators will seek support. OVCR funds may be used to support research team (student, research scientist) salaries, critical equipment purchases, and access to/use of critical data or equipment. Funds cannot be used to support any faculty salaries (including course buyouts and summer salary).
Deadlines and Key Dates
Applications are due no later than Friday, October 24, 4:30 PM. Award notifications will be sent in December 2025 with funding to begin on January 1, 2026. The standard duration of the grant will be from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. If cancellation of an extramural award is anticipated, then those selected will have until July 1, 2026 to activate their OVCR award. The standard duration of the grant will be one year from activation date. 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.
Eligibility
- UW-Madison tenure-track or tenured faculty member, or researcher with OVCR permanent Principal Investigator (PI) status. Permanent PIs must be on the list located here.
- The proposal must be submitted by the faculty or permanent PI who is the PI on the research project that has experienced or is highly likely to experience a federal funding interruption or a cancellation.
- An applicant may serve as PI on only one proposal but may serve as co-PI or co-investigator on multiple proposals.
- PI has no other funds (including flexible research funds) that can be committed to the research project.
- PI has not applied to the Fall Research Competition this fall.
Some Key Tips
- The PI must initiate the application.
- The PI can invite additional collaborators (writers/editors) to fill out the application form. However, the PI who initiates the application must also be the person that ultimately submits the application.
- Remember to scroll down to select “mark as complete” at the bottom of each completed page.
- You will be able to select “review and submit” before final submission.
- You will also have the option of downloading the entire application document.
Key Tasks
- Cover Sheet.
Provide the PI’s name and contact information, and a list of all co-investigators on the affected project.
The PI must be a tenured or tenure-track UW-Madison faculty member, or a researcher with OVCR permanent PI status. Permanent PIs must be on the list located here.
- Affected Project Information and Abstract.
Provide the project title, UW RAMP number, UW Worktag ID, Agency and other information about the grant status for the affected project. Provide the abstract of the affected project (the project that has been discontinued) in the text box (no more than 300 words). Abstracts should be written for a general audience and use accessible and non-technical language.
- Reimagined Project Abstract and Application Narrative.
Provide an abstract for the reimagined project (no more than 300 words) in the text box. Also, please upload the application narrative as a PDF document (up to 2 single-spaced pages, 10 pt. font). It should address the following:
(1) financial need (federal funding barriers to continuation; absence of flexible research funds to support the work;inability to obtain adequate funding from the campus bridge funding program);
(2) a plan for how the investigators will reimagine the next phase of the research for, and a rationale for how this ‘reimagining’ will lead to, a sustainable extramural funding path forward for the project, including identification of funding mechanisms that will be targeted; and
(3) an explanation of how the infusion of OVCR funds will be used to establish this path forward. Priority will be given to projects targeting various extramural funds, including federal, industry, philanthropic, and state funds and/or have entrepreneurial potential. Partnerships with industry and in the RISE areas are highly encouraged. Projects should identify specific mechanisms through which the investigators will seek support.
Please use the above headings (1, 2, 3, etc.) in your narrative.
- Reimagined Project Budget Form.
Please fill out the RNPR Budget Template with the details of your requested support up to $100,000. OVCR funds may be used to support research team (student, research scientist) salaries, critical equipment purchases, and access to/use of critical data or equipment. Please note: funds cannot be used to support faculty salaries (including course buyouts and summer salary). You do not have to complete every section of the form. Save the document as a PDF and upload both the .xls and .pdf documents to the application.
- Reimagined Project Budget Explanation.
Provide a justification for each expense in your budget. If salary support is requested for a graduate student, or other research personnel, provide a description of their role and major responsibilities on the project. Requests for equipment, travel, and supply costs must include a brief justification as to how these expenses are necessary to complete the work described in your proposal. Please rank your budget priorities utilizing the prefix “1)” for highest priority.
Submitting the application
You will be able to select “review” before making your final submission. Please make sure to review the entire document before you select to “submit” it. You will also have the option to download the entire document.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I serve as a PI on one proposal and a co-PI on another proposal?
Yes, but you cannot be a lead PI on more than one proposal.
If I am a permanent PI on a federal research grant may I apply to this initiative?
Only if you are a researcher with OVCR permanent PI status and on the list located here.
I applied to the Fall Research Competition this fall. May I also apply for this initiative?
No. All applying principal investigators may receive funding from only one of these initiatives.
I received central campus bridge funding this summer. May I also apply for this initiative?
Yes, but you must justify why additional funds are needed through this program. An award made through this program will not be released until your central campus bridge funding award is depleted.
How is this initiative different from the Fall Research Competition?
The Fall Research Competition provides funding to support the continuation or completion of current research goals. This initiative provides support to reimagine the next phase of research and establish a sustainable path to future extramural support.
Can a portion of this project funding be handled through a subaward to another institution?
No. WARF funds cannot be used to fund subawards, pilot projects, mini-grants, or other projects at other institutions or partner agencies. However, purchase of services or equipment from other institutions and industry is allowable.
What are the criteria for the review process?
Compelling proposal for reenvisioning research, completion of all three required parts of the application narrative, a budget and a budget justification. Priority will be given to projects targeting various extramural funds, including federal, industry, philanthropic, and state funds and/or have entrepreneurial potential. Partnership with industry and in the RISE areas are highly encouraged. Projects should identify specific mechanisms through which the investigators will seek support. An important goal for this initiative is that OVCR investments lead to external funding.
General and technical questions should be sent to: competitions@research.wisc.edu
Questions concerning proposal development should be sent to the appropriate divisional Associate Vice Chancellor for Research (see below):
Arts & Humanities
Florence Hsia
Biological Sciences
Cynthia Czajkowski
Physical Sciences
Mike Graham
Social Sciences
Lonnie (Lawrence) Berger