CURF RSCA Grant

  • Deadline: November 23, 2026 
  • Submission Link:

Purpose

The primary objective of the Spring 2027 CIDS RSCA CURF program is to support faculty in developing and submitting competitive grant proposals for external research funding. Applicants must demonstrate how the requested internal support will address specific gaps in research readiness and strengthen the competitiveness of a targeted external funding proposal. Faculty may apply to both CURF and the University Grants Academy (UGA), but the proposal submitted to CURF must be distinct from the proposal submitted to UGA or any other internal or external proposal that is currently under review. Awardees are expected to submit an external funding proposal during the semester of their CURF release or by a college-approved deadline aligned with the targeted funding opportunity. Awardees must provide submission confirmation from the sponsor or the Office of Research, including the proposal title, sponsor, submission date and requested amount.

Distribution

Two (2) CIDS RSCA CURF awards will be awarded that are limited to a maximum of 3 WTUs each (0.2 assigned time; typically 1 course release).

Evaluation Criteria

Potential for External Competitiveness and Impact (75 points)

Scientific or scholarly merit, originality and significance; feasibility and quality of the research plan; alignment with the external funder’s priorities; and the likelihood that CURF support will materially improve the external proposal. Applications should make a compelling case that the project requires CIDS RSCA CURF program support to advance to a stage of competitiveness for major external funding. Reviewers will consider the likelihood that the work will lead to a strong external grant proposal and the importance of the proposed research to the applicant’s broader scholarly agenda.

Investigator Capacity (25 points)

Qualifications, expertise, and track record of the principal investigator to carry out the proposed project and successfully pursue external funding. Reviewers will consider recent scholarly productivity, as well as the balance between demonstrated capability and the applicant’s need for developmental support. Priority will be given to applicants for whom CIDS RSCA CURF funding would provide a meaningful opportunity to become more competitive for external awards. Prior external funding is evidence of capacity, not a prerequisite for success. The program has a developmental purpose and avoids favoring applicants who are already well established.

Application Guidelines

Abstract 

A maximum 200-word summary of the proposed research.

Project Description 

A maximum five-page narrative describing the proposed research and plans for obtaining external funding. Include the following:

Planned External Grant Opportunity

The external grant opportunity that the proposed project will position them to pursue, including the type of grant (For example, federal, state, industry, non-profit, local etc.,) , target funding agency or program, anticipated total budget request, and expected submission date or timeline. Significance and goals of the proposed research. Describe the importance, goals, and anticipated contributions of the project. Explain how this work aligns with the mission or priorities of the intended funding agency.

Rationale for CIDS CURF Support

Explain the specific gap between the project’s current state and the requirements of a competitive external proposal. Identify the activities or resources that CIDS RSCA CURF support would enable, explain why existing resources are insufficient, and describe how the proposed investment will improve the quality, feasibility, or fundability of the external proposal.

Research Plan

Detail the research design, data sources, analytic approach, and key activities to be undertaken with CIDS RSCA CURF funding support. Emphasize how each element of the plan contributes to developing a competitive external proposal. Describe how the proposed activities are feasible within the project period.

Additional relevant information. Provide any relevant contextual details, such as communication with the funding agency or program officer, related prior work, or results and reviewer feedback from a previous submission of the external grant (if this is a resubmission).

Applicants should identify a specific funding opportunity whenever possible. If a solicitation is not currently available, applicants should identify the anticipated program or funding mechanism, explain its relevance, and provide a reasonable submission timeline. Explain why the proposed project is a good fit for that funder, rather than merely listing the agency.

Applicants who have received internal research funding within the preceding year must describe progress made and explain how the requested CURF release time will support the next phase of the project or a new research direction. Proposals may build on previously funded work but should identify specific milestones toward external proposal readiness and explain why additional release time is needed.

Projects that are currently under review for another internal or external funding opportunity are ineligible if the proposed CIDS RSCA CURF support would fund the same or substantially overlapping activities. Applicants must disclose overlapping submissions and funding and explain any differences in scope, activities, and requested resources.

References

Include a one-page list of bibliographic references. This does not count toward the five-page maximum for the narrative.

Curriculum Vitae 

Provide a CV (max. of 5 pages) organized into navigable sections for each project participant. Each CV should include:

  • Record of external funding over the past five years.
  • Selected relevant publications demonstrating the PI’s expertise.

Support Letters

Include appropriate letters of support, only if possible or applicable.