New round of Research Forward initiative opens, calling for projects that spark diverse collaborations

The Research Forward initiative is stimulating innovative and groundbreaking research at UW–Madison that is collaborative, multidisciplinary and potentially transformative.

To date, over four rounds of Research Forward funding 52 projects – ranging from developing a serious game to improve cow-handling skills in dairy-farm personnel, to using AI to identify molecular glues relevant to the development of cancer-fighting drugs, to developing a new concept to treat brain disorders, injuries and aging using cell therapy – have received support from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR).

Now, a fifth round of Research Forward has been announced. The amount of funding requested may be up to $500,000. Equipment requests are limited to a maximum of $10,000 for each year.

A cover sheet with a 400-word abstract is due Nov. 15 and the complete proposal is due Jan. 24, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. The on-line application instructions and a link to the application form are available at: https://research.wisc.edu.

“While previous rounds of Research Forward projects are now maturing and realizing their potential, we are excited to infuse the initiative with a new class of inspiring and novel projects that continue to showcase UW–Madison’s highly competitive and forward-thinking world-class faculty and staff researchers,” says Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska, Vice Chancellor for Research.

The initiative is supported by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and will provide funding for 1–2 years, depending on the needs and scope of the project.

Research Forward is intended to develop new collaborative multidisciplinary research programs and support novel infrastructure that helps advance research programs to new levels.

The initiative funds research projects that have the potential to fundamentally transform a field of study as well as projects but may require significant development prior to the submission of applications for external funding.

Research proposals are welcome from within any of the four divisions (Arts & Humanities, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences), as are cross-divisional collaborations.

“Research Forward draws on UW–Madison’s strengths in collaborative research, creativity and innovation,” Brzezinska says. “I look forward to seeing what these project teams will accomplish in the future as they embrace new challenges in the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea.”

Research Forward applicants are asked to include a summary describing plans for the structure and leadership of their proposed Research Forward activity, including the integration of approaches designed and/or selected to support the team’s goals for a diverse and inclusive research environment.

This initiative is intended to support preliminary research to positions projects to successfully attract external funding.

For questions regarding eligibility for Research Forward or submitting an abstract or full proposal, please contact the appropriate divisional Associate Vice Chancellor for Research.

A faculty committee of subject matter experts will review the proposals to identify those that hold the most promise for meeting the goals of this initiative. The committee will then make recommendations to the OVCR, which will make final selections.

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By Natasha Kassulke, natasha.kassulke@wisc.edu, (608) 219-8042