uconn

OVPR Research Bridge Funding

OVPR Research Bridge Funding Match Program

The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) Research Bridge Funding Match Program, in partnership with departments and schools/colleges, provides short-term support to maintain critical elements of currently funded, productive research programs when they are faced with a gap in financial support, until pending funding is received.

Bridge funding can only be provided for established programs confronted with a funding gap. PIs seeking support for new projects are encouraged to apply to OVPR initiatives like the Scholarship Facilitation Fund and the Research Excellence Program. PIs seeking support for commercializing projects should apply for the SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund.

As a “match” program, OVPR bridge funds are intended to be the last piece of a funding plan that includes commitments from other sources, usually the PI’s IDC funds and support from departments, school/colleges, and centers/institutes totaling at least two-thirds of the total amount of the requested funding. The OVPR program will only consider funding requests for no more than one-third of the total amount needed by the PI. Please note that budget limits may restrict the OVPR’s ability to fund (or fully fund) every request received.

Eligibility/Guidelines

  • The OVPR Research Bridge Funding Match Program is open to faculty based at the Storrs/Regional Campuses. Faculty at UConn Health may apply to UCH Emergency Grant Program.
  • In order to be eligible for OVPR bridge funding, PIs must first secure the support of their department/center/institute and school/college.
  • As PI salary is excluded from this program, faculty who are dependent on grant support for their salary are not eligible to participate.
  • The project must contain elements that require maintenance in order for the program to continue once external funding is restored (e.g. the retention of key personnel such as postdocs and technicians and the maintenance of key resources such as animal care). Applications will not be considered for projects that do not contain such elements.
  • Bridge funding is typically limited to one year. If additional time is necessary, PIs must reapply at the end of the funding period.

Application Process

  • PIs who are exploring bridge funding must begin in the PI’s home department/institute/school/college. Please follow any processes established by your school/college for requesting bridge funding.
  • Once commitments for at least two-thirds of the requested budget have been secured, the PI can request that his/her dean seek the remaining funds from the OVPR.
  • OVPR bridge funding requests can only be initiated by the dean of the PI’s school/college. Requests submitted directly by PIs will not be considered.
  • Deans may send their request directly to Associate Vice President for Research Julie Schwager (schwager@uchc.edu).  Requests should identify the PI seeking funding, provide a justification for the request (e.g., overview of funding history, plan for securing external funding, and specific funding need during the bridge period), and should provide a basic breakdown of the funding commitments that have been secured.
  • Once the dean’s request has been received, the OVPR may reach out to the PI for additional materials.

Contact
If you have questions about the application process, the materials needed, or regarding a funded request, please contact Dr. Matt Mroz at research@uconn.edu or 860.486.6378.

START Preliminary Proof of Concept Fund

Overview

*Note: The START program held its final competition in May 2021.  No additional application cycles are anticipated*

Through a generous grant provided by the CT Next Higher Education Fund, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is administering a new early stage translational research funding program called the START Preliminary Proof-Of-Concept (PPOC) Fund. Under the grant, funding will be made available to investigators at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), University of Bridgeport (UB) and UConn.

The program aims to support the preliminary validation of innovative early stage technologies that have possible commercial potential and is designed to bring those technologies to a stage that may be more attractive for additional later stage translational funding support. We invite proposals for the START PPOC Fund from across all disciplines for early stage projects that may one day result in inventions and technologies that address unmet needs and have potential for commercial application.

The START PPOC Fund competition will accept written proposals on a quarterly basis and selections for funding will be made solely on a review of the written proposals by a selection committee composed of representatives from CCSU, SCSU, UB and UConn.

Important Dates (note: all deadlines are at 12PM (noon) on the date indicated.

All applications should be uploaded to the UConn Quest Portal by the given deadlines.  Applications from CCSU, SCSU, and UB may be submitted through the START program point-of-contact for your university (CCSU - Rod Waterman; SCSU - Amy Taylor; UB - Sherri Dente).  Please allow adequate time for applications to be processed and uploaded by your point of contact before the deadline.

 

Cycle Submission Date Award Notice Project Start Date
Q1 Cancelled in FY21 --- ---
Q2 November 1 November 30 December 1
Q3 February 15 March 15 March 15
Q4 May 1 May 30  June 1

Award Details

  • The CT Next Higher Education Fund has committed funding for START PPOC Fund for up to three years, contingent upon continued success in achieving program milestones and objectives.
  • START project awards will be up to $10K.
  • Awards are intended to be for scopes-of-work that can be completed in one year or less.
  • No cost extensions are possible for START awards, but are typically only approved when extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the PI exist.

Eligibility

The START program is available to faculty members with a primary, full-time appointment to CCSU, SCSU, UB UConn/UConn Health, within the following parameters:

  • Projects should be translational in nature (i.e., cannot be basic research). Very early stage projects are eligible, but should nevertheless have an obvious downstream commercial application.
  • The project need not have a related issued or pending patent or a submitted invention disclosure at the time of proposal submission.
  • Each START project will be governed by the IP policies of the PI’s home university.  START funding may be contingent on applicants reaching an agreement with their university regarding IP rights and/or other investment terms prior to awards being finalized.
  • Generally speaking, UConn-based START projects should have University-owned IP (or the potential to develop IP that will be University-owned) at their core.  If a UConn-based project is based on IP not assignable to the University, it can be eligible for START funding only if it has not already received funding from any source for commercialization activities.
  • Projects that have been previously funded by START may be eligible for one additional award. To be eligible:
    • PIs must submit a final report on the first START award before applying for a new award. This report will be reviewed by the selection committee before considering any new application.
    • The new START application must propose a new scope of work. The same set of activities will not be funded twice
    • PIs must submit a new, full application and compete for additional funding alongside new applicants. START awards will not be automatically renewed.
  • Faculty members that wish to apply for START funding will need to secure all necessary approvals for commitment of effort, use of recombinant DNA, use of animals, use of human subjects, etc., as required by their respective institutional policies and guidelines and any relevant local, state or federal regulations. All necessary protocols will need to be in place before funds are released.

Budget Guidelines

START Budget Guidelines

  • Allowable costs: graduate student stipends/summer support, postdoc salaries, other research assistant salaries, associated fringe costs, instrument use fees, materials and supplies, contractual services (external consultants or fee-for-service providers). Other commercialization-related costs not specified here or in the not-allowed list below should be listed in the budget and justified.
  • Not-allowable costs: faculty salary, large equipment acquisition costs, travel for the purpose of presenting research results, costs related to basic research aims, graduate tuition, any overhead or F&A.
  • Any changes to the budget of an awarded project must be approved in advance by the START program director. Requests for re-budgeting can be made to research@uconn.edu.
    Note: All contractual services and materials and supplies must be procured following the awardee’s respective university purchasing policies.

Proposal Details

Elements to include in the START proposal are included below. Applications exceeding the total page limit of 6 pages (1" margins, 11-12 pt font) will be returned without review. Proposals documents should be uploaded to the UConn Quest Portal in PDF format.

  • Applicant Information Form (basic information about the PI) - Available on Quest
    • Information needed: Name, Department, School/College, email, phone, academic rank, primary employer, grant funding status
  • START Application Form (information about the project and team, including a 1 page abstract/summary of the project) - Available on Quest
    • Information needed: Title, amount requested, Abstract/Lay Summary, Key words, Team Members and roles
  • Project Plan (Single PDF)
    • Proposal Narrative (2 pages)
      • Description and background of the potential innovation:
      • What problem or unmet need does the potential innovation target?
      • Are there any currently available products/technologies that target the same problem or unmet need?
      • If so, why is the proposed innovation is different from or better than those that are already available?
      • What is the current market size for the potential innovation?
      • What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) most closely describes the current stage of your innovation?
        • TRL2 Concept defined and/or application formulated, analytical tools developed (applied research)
        • TRL3 Experimental data demonstrates critical function (proof of concept)
        • TRL4 Invention validated in laboratory environment (feasibility)
        • TRL5 Invention validated in relevant environment (development)
        • TRL6 Pilot-scale prototypical system validated in relevant environment (tech demonstration)
        • TRL7 Full-scale system demonstrated in relevant environment (system demonstration)
      • Preliminary evidence: Summarize any preliminary data available.
      • Proposed experiments with project goals:
        • What are your project goals and your experimental approaches to achieve those goals?
        • How will achievement of your project goals help make the potential innovation more attractive for additional funding?
        • Could the experiments, if successful, yield patentable intellectual property?
    • Intellectual property (IP): Describe your IP position, realized or planned, and the competitive IP landscape. (1 page)
    • Collaborators: Provide the names of other investigators with whom you plan to collaborate, if any. Identify any industry partners you have already approached and their response to your outreach. (1/2 page)
    • Relevant publications: List up to six key publications written by you or others about the proposed product/technology. (1/2 page)
  • Budget: Provide a preliminary budget estimate and proposed use of funds using the Start_Budget_Template on the START website. To give reviewers a complete picture of project feasibility, we also ask that any other sources of funding that may be used to further the aims of your START project be identified and the uses of these funds described. (single PDF)
  • Appendices: Optional upload of other supporting documents (previous reviews, references, letters of support etc)

Review Criteria

Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria:Market Need Addressed

  • Would the potential innovation satisfy an unmet consumer, industrial or medical need?
  • Is there a clear market need identified in the proposal?
  • How much additional research and funding would be necessary to bring the potential innovation to the market?

Innovation and Novelty

  • Is the potential innovation novel?
  • Would the potential innovation solve the unmet need differently (e.g., better, faster, cheaper) than the current state-of-the art?
  • Would the potential innovation be a disruptive technology or an incremental improvement over the current state-of-the art?

Funding and Commercialization Potential

  • Will the proposed experiments help make the potential innovation more attractive for follow-on translational research funding?
  • Will the proposed experiments provide enough data/results to move the potential innovation toward patentability and/or commercial opportunities?
  • While still early stage, are there any obvious potential licensees?

Scientific Merit and Feasibility

  • Is the experimental design technically sound?
  • Does the investigator/team have appropriate expertise and facilities?
  • Can the proposed experiments be completed in one year?

Postaward Reporting

Reporting requirements

  • Final Reports: START awardees agree to provide a final report detailing project results, progress toward the project goals, any resulting manuscripts or publications and whether any intellectual property was generated, including whether an invention disclosure was filed with awardee’s university. Final reports are due within 30 days after the award period ends.
  • Follow-up Reports: Recognizing that projects funded by START are early stage and will likely take some time to realize their commercial potential, we will be contacting recipients of START funding at the start of the fiscal year following the completion of each recipient’s award period to learn about the continued results of your project, the significance of those results, and to gather statistics about students supported, publications, additional grants received, intellectual property generated, other projects launched, commercialization activities, etc. This will allow us to better understand the impact of START PPOC funding and make the case for its continued funding beyond the initial three year period granted by CT Next.

Program Contacts

START PPOC Fund Contacts

The START PPOC Fund is jointly administered by UConn OVPR Technology Commercialization Services and UConn Internal Funding Program.

Program point of contact
Dr. Matt Mroz
Internal Funding Coordinator
research@uconn.edu
860.486.6378

Program Director
Dr. Greg Gallo
Director, Technology Transfer
OVPR Technology Commercialization Services

IACUC Program Specialist (Program Specialist 1), UCP 6

The Office of the Vice President for Research, Research Compliance Services, is seeking an experienced IACUC professional to join our team of research compliance specialists.  Reporting to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (“IACUC”) Program Director in the Office of the Vice President for Research, Research Compliance Services, the IACUC Program Specialist will coordinate with the Chair, members of the IACUC, Animal Care Services staff and other university constituents to ensure that all animal care and use activities related to research and/or teaching conform to all applicable University, State, Federal and other external regulatory requirements and guidelines.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Performs pre-review of new protocols, three-year renewals, protocol modifications, and continuations for accuracy and completeness of submission, and coordinates review with the appropriate Environmental Health and Safety Committees.
  • Consults with principal investigators, staff and others in the preparation of new animal protocols or the amendment of existing protocols. Serves as a resource for investigators on regulations, policies and guidelines governing animal care and use.
  • Maintains internal database of animal protocols. Creates reports from database to meet internal and AAALAC, PHS, and USDA requirements.
  • Coordinates animal facility inspections, and animal care and use program evaluations. May assist in the preparation of semiannual inspection reports.
  • Participates in the preparation and presentation of training programs for IACUC members and animal users.
  • Participates in internal audit of animal care and use protocols and administers Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) program to assist investigators in identifying deviations from approved protocols, and implements and documents corrective action.
  • Keeps current on federal, state, and local animal research regulations, guidelines, and policies. Ensures that changes are integrated into appropriate University policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Participates in the development of IACUC policies for review by the committee. Contributes to the writing of IACUC office Standard Operating Procedures.  Revises IACUC protocol forms and checklists as needed.  Prepares materials for dissemination and for the IACUC website.
  • Facilitates IACUC or other research compliance stakeholder meetings as needed, including logistical arrangements and preparation and distribution of decisions, of agendas, minutes, etc.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

  1. Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  2. At least two years of relevant experience in research compliance requiring knowledge and understanding of applicable regulations.
  3. Knowledge and ability to use independent judgment in the interpretation and application of federal and other laws, regulations, guidelines and procedures pertaining to the care and use of animals used for research and teaching.
  4. Experience creating training materials and ability to present information, training programs, and/or workshops to individuals or groups.
  5. Excellent organizational skills to effectively multi-task to meet deadlines and trouble-shoot problems.
  6. Ability to work under the direction of a supervisor, as well as exercise a high level of independence and discretion.
  7. Established interpersonal skills that promote building strong working relationships. Demonstrated ability to interact with colleagues in a positive and constructive manner.
  8. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with administrators, faculty members and staff in a diverse work environment.
  9. Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills.
  10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Experience using animals in a research, medical or similar institutional setting and a demonstrated understanding of scientific methodology.
  2. Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA) or eligible within one year of hire.
  3. Record of appropriate certification, membership or affiliation with appropriate professional organizations.

 

TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted through the UConn Jobs website: https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs/ (under Staff Positions), and should include a cover letter,  detailed resume, preferred contact information, and the names and contact information for three (3) references.  Review of applications will begin immediately.  Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.  (Search #2018437)

 

For confidential inquiries or additional information please contact:

Laurie Pudlo, MPS HRM
Administrative Manager
Office of the Vice President for Research
University of Connecticut
laurie.pudlo@uconn.edu
860.486.4247

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on March 18, 2018.

 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

 

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

 

OVPR Faculty Survey Archive

From time to time, the OVPR conducts surveys of faculty to gather feedback on OVPR research support services and other topics related to research.  We are very grateful to the faculty who take the time to respond to these surveys, and we commit to using the feedback they provide to shape our efforts to continually improve the experience and success of faculty and staff engaged in research and research-related work.

This NetID-protected repository allows faculty and staff the opportunity to view reports, slide decks, and other documents that present the results/takeaways of these wide-scale surveys.

 

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This page is secured by UConn Net-ID login.

Resource Library

Grantwriting Training and Workshop Materials

Missed our most recent grant writing training? Want to refresh your memory about something covered in a past training? The OVPR Grantwriting Resource Library is here to help.

This NetID-protected repository contains handouts, slide decks, even videos from past OVPR-sponsored grantwriting training events and webinars. Our goal is to continually add to and update these offerings in order to build a rich collection of resources that address all aspects of the grantseeking process.

While you should feel free to make use of these resources yourself and share them with your UConn colleagues and students, we ask that these materials not be distributed outside of the University.

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GRANTS ESSENTIALS

Foundations of International Research - Presented on 10/7/2025 by panelists from Global Affairs, Universitas 21, NIUVT, and OVPR

Essentials of Competitive Proposals - Presented on 09/19/2025 by Hanover Research

Engaging Students in Research and Experiential Learning - Presented on 4/9/2025 by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Institute for Student Success

Revision and Resubmission - Presented on 3/18/2025 by Hanover Research

Grantseeking in the Humanities - Presented on 10/25/2024 by Hanover Research

Authentic Community Partnerships in Research and Scholarship - Presented on 4/26/2024 by the UConn Office of Outreach and Engagement

How to Write a White Paper (DOD, DOE, NSF) - Presented on 2/3/2023 by Hanover Research

Talking to Program Officers: How, Why, and Yes! You Should Do It! - Presented on 5/13/2022 by Hanover Research

    Essentials of Competitive Proposals - Presented on 11/13/2020 by Hanover Research

    Crafting Great Aims and Objectives - Presented on 1/17/2020 by Hanover Research

    Revision and Resubmission - Presented on 1/17/2019 by Hanover Research

    Strategic Approaches to Grantseeking and Project Design - Presented on 9/14/2018 by Hanover Research

    The Grant Funding Landscape - Presented on 5/18/2018 by Hanover Research

      Funding in the Humanities - Presented on 11/17/2017 by Hanover Research

       

      EARLY CAREER GRANTS

      NSF CAREER Webinar Featuring Program Officers - Presented on 4/9/26 by a panel of NSF CAREER program officers

      CETL Resources for Education and Assessment Plans - Presented on 4/1/26 by Dr. Martina Rosenberg, UConn Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

      NSF CAREER Introduction - Presented on 3/25/2026 by OVPR Research Development Services

      Note: The first session of this presentation was done in-person on 3/13/2026 and was not recorded. The slides below are reflective of both parts of the presentation, but the recording is only for the virtual second session.

      Pursuing NSF CAREER - Presented on 1/30/2026 by Melissa Cornish, Hanover Research

      Resources for Education and Assessment Plans - Presented on 2/27/2025 by Martina Rosenberg, UConn Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)

      UConn Programs to Engage Students in Research and Experiential Learning - Presented on 4/19/24 by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Institute for Student Success

      CETL Education and Assessment Plans for Grants - Presented on March 15 2024 by Martina Rosenberg, UConn Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

      Hanover NSF CAREER and Grants Learning Center Session - Presented on March 1 2024 by Hanover Research

      Hanover’s Grants Learning Center course for NSF CAREER contains hands-on tutorials, recent Hanover webinars, examples of winning proposals, annotated applications, and insights from past reviewers and Program Officers. You can access by registering here, using the referral code “RollSkies.” There is also a video walkthrough of the resource available here.

        Early-Career Grantseeking Strategies: Planning for Summer and Beyond - Presented on 5/21/2021 by Hanover Research

         

        MID-CAREER AND BEYOND

        Grant Seeking Strategies for Mid-Career Faculty - Presented on 2/19/2021 by Hanover Research

          Approaches to Center Grant Proposals - Presented on 4/12/2019 by Hanover Research

           

          SPECIFIC FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND FUNDERS

          William T. Grant Foundation Funding Interests and Opportunities - Presented by Dr. Kim DuMont, Senior Vice President of Program at the William T. Grant Foundation 10/16/2025

          NSF Science and Technology Centers (STC) - Information Session, 8/28/24

          ARPA-H Open BAA - Information Session, 8/7/23

          Hanover’s Grants Learning Center course for NIH R-series grants contains hands-on tutorials, recent Hanover webinars, examples of winning proposals, annotated applications, and insights from past reviewers and Program Officers. You can access by registering here, using the referral code “RollSkies.” There is also a video walkthrough of the resource available here.

                                Opening the Door to the NIH: Successfully Transitioning to NIH Funding  - Presented on 9/13/2019 by Hanover Research

                                This page is secured by UConn Net-ID login.

                                Research Environment Statements

                                Faculty can use these statements as a starting point for describing UConn resources within their research proposals (e.g., the NSF Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources document, the NIH Facilities and Other Resources document, or others.) Please review the statement and modify as appropriate for the faculty member or the research proposal. Contact ovpr-rds@uconn.edu with any questions.  More statements are in development!

                                University Resources

                                Schools and Colleges

                                  Centers and Institutes

                                  Upcoming Funding Opportunity Calendars

                                  The topic-specific calendars below are provided by our partners at Hanover Research. The first page of each document is a calendar overview of upcoming funding opportunities. Subsequent pages provide more detail on each program.  New calendars will be uploaded as they are refreshed by Hanover Research. Please contact ovpr-rds@uconn.edu with any questions.

                                  Grants Calendars

                                  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - August 2024 | Opportunities with deadline through February 2025

                                  Research Centers - July 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through early 2025

                                  Student Success - June 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through early 2025

                                  Minority Serving Institutions - May 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through February 2025

                                  Engineering - May 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through February 2025

                                  Health Equity - March 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through January 2025

                                  Arts and Humanities - February 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through February 2025

                                  Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - January 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through October 2024

                                  Interdisciplinary Research - January 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through September 2024

                                  Environmental Sustainability - November 2023 | Opportunities with deadlines through September 2024

                                  STEM Education - September 2023 | Opportunities with deadlines through September 2024

                                  Early Career Research - Feb 2024 | Opportunities with deadlines through February 2025

                                    UConn Research slide deck for faculty presentations

                                    The linked slides below are provided by UConn Research Communications for faculty to use in their scholarly and research presentations. The title slide is editable, while the rest are images (not editable). Some slides are duplicated so that you can choose the image most relevant to your field. Please contact ovpr-rds@uconn.edu with questions or suggestions for future iterations.

                                    UConn Research Slide Deck

                                      Hanover Research – Consulting Services

                                      Working alongside the Research Development Services team, Hanover Research is a key OVPR partner, providing additional capacity for proposal review, consulting, and project management support for investigators at UConn/UConn Health.

                                      Hanover’s team of grant consultants provide a unique and valuable perspective on the grantseeking process. They are usually not content experts in your area of specialty (that’s what you as the faculty member bring to the table). Instead, they are experts in a variety of federal funders and funding mechanisms, and provide feedback on proposal alignment and competitiveness as well as assistance with general grantsmanship skills.

                                      Upon request and pending availability, the OVPR is pleased to allow faculty grantseekers access to Hanover’s core services, including:

                                      • Proposal Review (takes approx. 3 weeks). Hanover provides a strong written review and critique of faculty-drafted materials, helping the project team ensure compliance with submission guidelines and heighten the competitiveness of the proposal. In addition to written feedback, Hanover can arrange a debrief call with the reviewer to allow the PI to ask questions and get additional guidance and information.
                                      • Proposal revision (takes approx. 8 weeks). Hanover leads faculty through the process of reshaping a previous submission to incorporate new project elements, responding to reviewer comments, and heightening the proposal’s responsiveness to the solicitation.
                                      • Large Proposal Support (takes approx. 12 weeks). Hanover provides project management and partial proposal writing support to help faculty involved with large or complex proposals plan and manage the process, ensure that all necessary components are accounted for, and to keep teams on track for submission deadlines.

                                      Please submit a service request form to discuss the availability of these services. Please inquire well in advance of submission deadlines to ensure that adequate time remains to schedule your project.

                                      Grantwriting Training Calendar

                                      W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program Information Session 4/23/2026

                                      When:  Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 11:30–12:30 PM

                                      Where: Virtual via Zoom

                                      Audience: UConn and UConn Health faculty who are interested in the W.M. Keck Foundation as a potential funder for their research

                                      Description: This event is designed to strengthen applications to the W.M. Keck Research Program for the next grant cycle. During this information session, we will cover:

                                      • Components of competitive Keck projects
                                      • The OVPR limited submission and Keck processes
                                      • An overview of application expectations

                                      The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Researchers who are considering applying to the W.M. Keck Research Program are strongly encouraged to attend this information session, and there will be a webinar recording available afterward.

                                      Registration:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SSj1rAIMQi2HBS3Dq9C74w

                                      After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

                                      Contact: If you have any questions or require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Quinn McAdam at ovpr-rds@uconn.edu.

                                      Engaging Students in Research and Experiential Learning 4/24/2026

                                      When:  Friday, April 24 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm

                                      Registration Deadline: Registration will be accepted up to the start of the webinar

                                      Where: Virtual webinar via Zoom

                                      Description: Join representatives from the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Institute for Student Success to find out how faculty can get involved in UConn’s programs to expand research access, support experiential learning, and involve students from UConn and local communities in STEM initiatives and programming.

                                      The webinar is provided free of charge to all UConn/UConn Health faculty and staff members.

                                      Registration is required.

                                      Registration:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dtEQKNe3SX-mSD_979VahQ

                                      After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

                                      Contact info: If you have any questions or require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Quinn McAdam at ovpr-rds@uconn.edu.

                                      NSF CAREER Webinar Featuring Program Officers 4/9/2026

                                      When: Thursday April 9, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 pm

                                      Registration deadline: Registration will be accepted up to the start of the webinar.

                                      Where: Virtual via Webex

                                      Audience: Faculty and staff from participating New England research institutions

                                      Description: This information session will include an overview of NSF CAREER directly from a panel of NSF program officers. There will be an initial presentation from panelists, followed by a Q&A. Attendees should submit their CAREER-related questions (especially related to any policy changes) in advance on the registration form or via email to ovpr-rds@uconn.edu. Panelists will answer as many pre-selected questions as time allows.

                                      Registration: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/weblink/register/r843001d9d3f3d38afd82875775314e25

                                      Registration is required. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive email confirmation of your registration.

                                      Contact info: ovpr-rds@uconn.edu

                                      If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Quinn McAdam in the UConn OVPR (ovpr-rds@uconn.edu) by Friday, April 3 at 5:00 pm.

                                      CETL Resources for Education and Assessment Plans 4/1/2026

                                      When:  Wednesday, April 1 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm

                                      Registration Deadline: Registration will be accepted up to the start of the webinar

                                      Where: Virtual Training via Zoom

                                      This webinar from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) will focus on building education and assessment plans for grant proposals, with a strong emphasis on the NSF CAREER funding opportunity. Topics covered will include:

                                      • Basics of evaluation and assessment and how they relate to measuring education outcomes
                                      • How to collect and analyze information in educational settings
                                      • Strategies for developing / writing an education plan as part of your NSF CAREER proposal

                                      While this webinar will focus on the education plan required for the NSF CAREER proposal, it is open to all faculty interested in this topic area. The webinar is provided free of charge to all UConn/UConn Health faculty and staff members. It will be recorded and uploaded to the RDS resource library.

                                      Registration is required.

                                      Registration:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7YKNLobfTtyJc_38-YHS-A

                                      After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

                                      Contact info:  ovpr-rds@uconn.edu

                                      If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Quinn McAdam in the OVPR (ovpr-rds@uconn.edu) by Monday, March 30 at 12 noon.

                                      Engaging in Culturally Responsive International Research Workshop 3/25/2026

                                      When: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

                                      Registration Deadline: Registration will be accepted up to the start of the webinar.

                                      Where: Virtual via Webex

                                      Description:  The Office of Outreach and Engagement is excited to host Dr. Meseret Hailu, Assistant Professor Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia, and Dr. Kayla Johnson, Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky College of Education for a virtual workshop on culturally responsive international research, with a focus on research design, ethics, challenges, and working with marginalized communities.

                                      Registration: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/weblink/register/r3e3aca61d6c8fae5af2b97c13b653ff5

                                      Research Development Services NSF CAREER Introduction 3/13/2026

                                      When:  Friday March 13, 2026 from 1:30 pm –4:30 pm

                                      Registration Deadline: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 5:00 pm

                                      Where: Storrs campus, Homer Babbidge Library, Instruction Room 1102

                                      Audience: All UConn/UConn Health faculty members who are eligible for NSF CAREER Awards (generally tenure-track Assistant Professors or equivalent).  Please contact ovpr-rds@uconn.edu with any questions about eligibility for this workshop. 

                                      Description: This in-person introduction to NSF CAREER, presented by the OVPR Research Development Services team, is focused on providing an in-depth foundation for a strong CAREER proposal. It will focus on the unique and important features of the NSF CAREER funding mechanism and important guidelines of the CAREER program that applicants must consider. This session will cover planning for an effective CAREER proposal and the required proposal components, and will include a combination of presentation, discussion, and hands-on exercises.

                                      The event is provided free of charge.

                                      Registration:

                                      OVPR NSF CAREER Award Training Registration | Office of the Vice President for Research

                                      You will receive confirmation of your registration to your email once complete. Registration is required and is limited to 30 participants. Registration includes the presentation session and a copy of the AtKisson Training Group’s grant writing handbook.  

                                      Contact info:  ovpr-rds@uconn.edu

                                      If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Quinn McAdam in the OVPR (ovpr-rds@uconn.edu) by Wednesday, March 11 at 5:00 pm. 

                                      Preparing for the NSF CAREER Submission Cycle with Hanover Research 1/30/2026

                                      When:  Friday January 30, 2026 from 11:00 am –12:00 pm

                                      Registration Deadline: Registration will be accepted up to the start of the webinar

                                      Where: Virtual Training via Zoom

                                      Description: NSF CAREER is one of the most prestigious grant awards for tenure-track Assistant Professors working to advance highly innovative research and education initiatives. This one-hour session will provide guidance on how to develop a competitive proposal that encompasses both a compelling research agenda as well as a meaningful outreach and education plan. The presenter will also discuss NSF merit review criteria and processes, and how to engage your program officer before you even submit your proposal.

                                      This webinar is open to all faculty interested in this topic area. The webinar is provided free of charge to all UConn/UConn Health faculty and staff members.

                                      Registration:

                                      https://hanoverresearch.zoom.us/meeting/register/K5J-VIIARTC6PzLd9Lnqfg

                                      After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

                                      Contact info:  ovpr-rds@uconn.edu

                                      If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Quinn McAdam in the OVPR (ovpr-rds@uconn.edu) by Thursday, January 29 at 12 noon.

                                      Telling Your Research Story Workshop 11/5/2025

                                      When:  Wednesday November 5, 2025 from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM

                                      Where:   Virtual via Webex

                                      Description:  

                                      The OVPR and Research Development Services are excited to host a virtual version of our workshop: Telling Your Research Story, which will provide you with hands-on guidance for telling an impactful and concise story about your research. The workshop will provide best practices and a template for communicating research to the public and stakeholders and time to workshop your own story. During this workshop, you will have the chance to:

                                      • Develop a compelling one-page research story and quad chart that highlights the impact of your work
                                      • Implement effective research communication strategies
                                      • Speak with a Research Communications representative about outlets for your research story

                                      Registration: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/weblink/register/r722eb57b11393f83a9747db423eb4b43

                                      Contact: Please reach out to Quinn McAdam at ovpr-rds@uconn.edu if you have any questions about these events, and if you require an accommodation to participate, please reach out via email by Friday, October 31.

                                      William T. Grant Foundation UConn Visit: Presentation and Individual Meetings 10/16-10/17

                                      The William T. Grant Foundation invests in high-quality research focused on reducing inequality in youth outcomes and improving the use of research evidence in decisions that affect young people in the United States. Researchers whose work centers on these themes may find this presentation particularly relevant.

                                      Presentation

                                      When: October 16, 2025 from 1:30–2:30 pm

                                      Where: In-person, Gentry Building 144

                                      Description:  

                                      This in-person presentation by Senior Vice President of Program Dr. Kim DuMont will offer an introduction to the William T. Grant Foundation’s current goals, funding priorities, and application process. Dr. DuMont will take questions during the presentation to further describe what makes a competitive William T. Grant Foundation proposal.

                                      Registration: https://ovpr.uconn.edu/services/research-development/ovpr-rds-event-registration-2/

                                       

                                      Individual Meetings

                                      When:

                                      • Applications for individual meetings are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 26.
                                      • 20-minute meetings will take place on October 17, 2025 from 8 am–1 pm.

                                      Where: In-person, Whetten Graduate Center 313 (in OVPR office)

                                      Description:  

                                      Dr. DuMont will be offering limited spots for individual/small group consultations. The objective of these meetings will be to discuss alignment of UConn faculty research ideas with the goals of the William T. Grant Foundation. To be considered for one of these meetings, faculty should fill out the application below and include a brief paragraph (no more than 300 words) about their research that they would like to discuss with Dr. DuMont. Please submit this application no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, September 26.

                                      Application: https://ovpr.uconn.edu/services/research-development/ovpr-rds-event-registration/

                                       

                                      Contact: Please reach out to Quinn McAdam at ovpr-rds@uconn.edu if you have any questions about these events, and if you require an accommodation to participate, please reach out via the registration form or email by Friday, October 10 at 5:00 pm.

                                      Foundations of International Research Webinar 10/7

                                      When: Tuesday October 7, 2025 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm

                                      Audience: UConn and UConn Health researchers

                                      Where: Virtual via Webex

                                      Description: This webinar will introduce best practices for building strong international connections and pursuing international funding opportunities for researchers looking to diversify their funding options in the current federal funding agency climate. Panelists from Global Affairs, OVPR, Universitas 21, and more will give a presentation on ways to begin international collaboration and research, followed by a Q&A session. Registrants are encouraged to submit questions for panelists in advance on the registration form.

                                      Registration: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/weblink/register/r4d512b190fbd48e8827981558fbc46a3

                                      Contact: Please reach out to Quinn McAdam at ovpr-rds@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this event, and if you require an accommodation to participate, please reach out by Friday, October 3 at 5:00 pm.

                                      Grantwriting Training and Resources Overview

                                      Researchers in all disciplines face a dilemma: grant funding is increasingly necessary for fueling research advances while grants keep getting harder to win. The competitiveness of the grantseeking landscape means that funders can be more selective about funding the projects that most closely align with their goals and mission. It also means that most funders can have a lower tolerance for proposals that distract from the research/scholarship proposed by not following grantwriting best practices.

                                      The good news? There are skills and techniques that faculty can learn that will make their work more attractive to funders.

                                      The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to provide a number of training opportunities, resources, and services to help our faculty build these skills and to assist them in producing grant applications that are as compelling as the research activities they propose.

                                      Our Training Calendar lists upcoming workshops and webinars addressing grantwriting-related topics. Most require registration and some require approval from your school/college, so please read the description of each event carefully. You can contact research@uconn.edu or call 860.486.6378 with any questions about listed events or to request that a University-sponsored grantwriting training be added to the calendar.

                                      Hanover Research provides the OVPR consultation services aimed at improving grantseeking competitiveness. Upon request (and subject to availability), the OVPR can make Hanover’s services available to grant teams or individual faculty members. We especially invite faculty who are working on grant resubmissions or on preparing large (over $3 million) or complex grant proposals to contact us well in advance of submission deadlines.

                                      Our Resource Library is a NetID-protected repository, accessible to UConn Faculty, Staff, and Students, that contains handouts, slide decks, even videos from past OVPR-sponsored grantwriting training events and webinars. Our goal is to continually add to and update these offerings in order to build a rich collection of resources that address all aspects of the grantseeking process.

                                      SPARK Submission Guidelines

                                      Letter of Intent (LOI) Instructions

                                      SPARK LOIs consist of 2 forms and a PDF file upload.

                                      Faculty Applicant Information Form (some information may pre-populate into the form)

                                      • Submitting PI Name
                                      • Home Department
                                      • School/College
                                      • Email
                                      • Phone
                                      • Faculty/Academic Rank
                                      • Primary Employer
                                      • Question - is your position contingent on grant funding?

                                      SPARK Application Form

                                      • Project Title:
                                      • Estimated Funds Requested ($50K max for initial funding term, up to $100K if follow-on funding is anticipated)
                                      • Resubmission Y/N
                                      • Has an invention disclosure been submitted for this innovation?
                                      • Has a patent been filed / granted
                                      • Federal Opportunity Targeted: Please name the Federal funder and specific mechanism your team will be targeting. Please include the mechanism's award range and the date you are targeting for submission
                                      • Size of Team: 0-10
                                      • Key Personnel: Co-PIs, department affiliation, role on project

                                      LOI document (PDF Upload)

                                      Your LOI must be no longer than two pages  (12-pt font and 1” margins; single spacing and single-side pages). Please include the following information:

                                      1. Unmet Need/Problem: Please describe in concise terms the current unmet need in the market.
                                      2. Product/Solution: Please describe how your product or solution addresses or solves the unmet need.
                                      3. Target Customer: Who is the potential customer for this solution? Ex: Who is going to buy the product?
                                      4. Competitive Advantage: Describe current solutions and why your solution is better than currently available solutions in the market? Ex: Faster/Better/Cheaper
                                      5. Market Size: Please describe the potential market size for this product or technology.
                                      6. Intellectual Property: List all filed/granted patents and invention disclosures filed related to the technology.
                                      7. Regulatory pathway/Reimbursement: Succinctly describe the regulatory pathway and reimbursement if applicable.
                                      8. Revenue Model: How will your product make money? Ex: Subscription/Fee/Capital Expense.

                                      LOIs should be uploaded as a single PDF to the Quest Portal (you may be prompted to first log in and then to click the link again to access the application) by the LOI due date.

                                       

                                       

                                      Full Proposal Submission Instructions

                                      Elements to include in the full application are as follows:

                                      1. A one-paragraph abstract (type or copy/paste into a form on Quest).
                                      2. Results from prior OVPR-funded projects: If you've received funding in the past from OVPR internal seed grants or commercialization grants, please give a brief account of the outcomes of those projects and any research products generated (type or copy/paste into a form on Quest).
                                      3. Project plan document (five page maximum, 12-pt font and 1” margins), including
                                        1. Problem/Unmet need: Describe the problem or unmet need that the innovation targets.
                                        2. Description of the Product: Describe in detail the product or technology concept.
                                        3. Estimate Market Size:
                                          1. Please describe the total available market this invention addresses (TAM)
                                          2. Estimate serviceable available market (SAM)
                                          3. Estimate serviceable obtainable market (SOM)
                                        4. Competing Products:
                                          1.  Identify any currently available products/technologies, and explain why they do not adequately satisfy the problem or unmet need.
                                          2. Explain how the proposed innovation is different from or better than those that are already available.
                                        5. Intellectual property (IP): Describe your IP position, and the competitive IP landscape. List your current patent applications or patents pending as well as any granted patents related to this project. If you currently have no patent applications, please mention plans for future invention disclosures.
                                        6. Commercialization Plan:
                                          1. Describe major milestones required to enter market?
                                          2. Describe the pathway to market?
                                          3. Expected time to enter market and financing required to enter the market
                                        7. Regulatory Pathway & Reimbursement:
                                          1. Please describe in detail the regulatory pathway if applicable.
                                            1. Medical Devices: 510(k), DeNovo or PMA
                                            2. Pharma 505(b)(1) or 505 (b) (2) .
                                          2. Please describe reimbursement strategy if applicable.
                                        8. Potential Exits: Is it an acquisition, licensing or IPO?
                                        9. Preliminary evidence: Summarize any preliminary data available that substantiates the proposed innovation usefulness for the applications envisioned.
                                        10. Proposed work with project milestones: Outline the proposed scope of work approaches with timelines and a clearly defined set of objective milestones to be completed by the end of the initial award period.  Please include an analysis of how the proposed activities will sufficiently de-risk the innovation to allow for further commercial development.
                                      4. Biosketches/CVs: Please include brief biosketches/CVs (formatted as appropriate for your field) for all PIs/Co-PIs.  Include your most recent publications or those most relevant to the work proposed.  Also include current/pending support from external sponsors and UConn sources (including start-up funding). This may be appended to the end of the CV/biosketch or integrated within it, if your discipline’s format already provides space for current/pending.  Biosketches/CVs may be uploaded as one PDF or as separate PDF documents.
                                      5. Budget: Provide a preliminary budget estimate and proposed use of funds. Please see Internal Funding Budget Guidelines for instructions and a budget template.
                                      6. The budget spreadsheet should be converted to PDF format prior to upload.

                                      Full Proposals will only be accepted from applicants who have submitted an LOI and received an invitation to proceed with a proposal. Invited applicants should upload their proposal documents the Quest Portal (you may be prompted to first log in and then to click the link again to access the application) by the full application due date of February 24, 2025.

                                      SPARK Full Proposal Budget Guidelines

                                      Please see the general budget guidelines for the OVPR Research Development Internal Funding awards.

                                      • Allowable costs: graduate student stipends/summer support, postdoc salaries, faculty summer fellowships (limited to $3000 per PI) only available to faculty on less than 12-month appointments with room for summer support), other research assistant salaries, associated fringe costs, instrument use fees, materials and supplies, contractual services (external consultants or fee-for-service providers). Other commercialization-related costs not specified here or in the not-allowed list below should be listed in the budget and justified.  No more than 50% of funds in any budget period can be used for salary/fringe costs.
                                      • Not-allowable costs: faculty academic year salary, large equipment acquisition costs, publication costs, travel for the purpose of presenting research results, costs related to basic research aims, graduate tuition, any overhead or F&A, costs related to establishing a start-up company.  If a faculty-owned company already exists, costs that occur within/related to the company are not allowable.  All University financial conflict of interest policies must be observed.
                                      • Any changes to the budget of an awarded project must be approved in advance by the program director. Requests for rebudgeting can be made to research@uconn.edu.
                                      • Note: All contractual services and materials and supplies must be procured following University purchasing policies.

                                      SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund

                                      NOTICE as of 3/09/2026

                                      The SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund will re-open for applications on 8/17/2026

                                      The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund supports the translation of research discoveries into products, processes, and other commercial applications. We are eager to identify and support UConn-developed inventions and technologies that address unmet needs and have strong potential for commercial application. We invite proposals from across all disciplines for projects that aim to advance these technologies forward toward commercialization.

                                      Process and Timeline

                                      The SPARK competition is organized into a two-step review process. 1) Applicants are asked to first submit a letter of intent designed to allow applicants to demonstrate that the project is ripe to transition from basic research to commercialization and to familiarize the review committee with the projects. The applicants with the most competitive projects will be invited to submit full proposals. Those invited to submit a full proposal will be required to meet with the Director, Venture Development prior to submitting the full proposal. 2) All full proposals will be reviewed to evaluate the project’s scientific background and commercial potential. Reviews will be conducted by a team of commercialization experts.  The proposals which demonstrate the most promise for commercial success will be selected for funding.

                                      The SPARK program allows for awarded projects to receive a total of $100K between the initial award and one-time follow-on funding.  Follow-on funding is dependent on meeting established milestones, meeting program requirements, and demonstration of success.

                                      Timeline

                                      • August 17, 2026, 12 noon: Open for applications
                                      • September 28, 2026, 12 noon: LOIs are due
                                      • by November 30, 2026:  Notifications of invitations for full proposals
                                      • January 11, 2027: Full proposals are due

                                       Award Details

                                      • The OVPR anticipates funding up to 4 projects each cycle.
                                      • Each award will begin with an initial award period of up to 1 year.  Awarded project is also eligible for up to 1 year of follow-on funding pending the completion of specific milestones agreed upon at the time of the initial award.
                                      • Each award period (initial and follow-up) will be funded in two equal payments.  The first payment will be made at the start of the award period.  The second payment will be made six months into the award period, pending completion of milestones, submission of a brief report, and adherence to program guidelines.
                                      • Proposals should include plans for the full duration of the intended effort (including a follow-up award period, if one is anticipated), and they must include a list of objective proposed milestones to be completed, with a timeline.
                                      • Budgets for the initial award period should reflect the needs of the project for that period, up to $50K.  Follow-on funding can be requested in amounts that would bring the total award size up to $100K. (Ex. $50K initial and $50K follow-on or $40K initial and $60K follow-on.
                                      • Standard award periods for both initial and follow-on funding are one year.  We encourage applicants to submit well-defined scopes of work that can be completed within 1-2 years.
                                      • No-cost extensions are possible for SPARK awards but are typically only approved when extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the PI exist. Extensions needed because of compliance delays or to allow financial transactions to finalize are also allowed. Adequate justification / documentation will be required, and the program director may request a revised budget and timeline before extensions are approved. Requests for extensions can be made using the IFP Project Change form.
                                      • SPARK awards are intended to support the development of new innovations within the labs / research groups of UConn/UConn Health faculty members.  SPARK funds cannot be used for a) continuing existing commercialization projects, b) costs related to creating/operating start-up companies, or c) development activities that take place in faculty-owned companies.
                                      • Projects that make use of UConn resources, core facilities, or that include significant interdisciplinary partnerships will be prioritized
                                      • No more than 50% of SPARK project budgets can be used to support salary & fringe for graduate assistants, postdocs, research associates, or technicians.  Please see SPARK budget guidelines for more detail.
                                      • SPARK Awardees will be connected with commercialization experts from OVPR’s Technology Commercialization and Venture Development group.  Awardees should expect to work closely with TCS to discuss progress/obstacles, undergo commercialization-related training, and to gain access to advice and resources that will enhance the project’s chances for commercial success.  Awardees are expected to begin working with TCS's IP team to protect their innovation (target: provisional patent filing 6 months to 1 year after project launch).

                                       

                                      Eligibility / IP & Licensing Requirements

                                      The SPARK program is available to UConn/UConn Health faculty members, within the following parameters:

                                      • IP: Projects should have intellectual property at their core. To be eligible, project-related UConn IP must exist or the proposed scope of work must have a high likelihood of leading to a UConn invention disclosure by the end of the initial award period.  Projects based on IP not developed by UConn are not eligible. Projects that have not produced an invention disclosure by the end of year 1 of funding will not be eligible for follow-on funding.
                                      • Startups and License Options: If a startup related to the SPARK project exists at the time of award, an option agreement must be taken within 6 months of the award.  If a startup company related to the project is formed at any point in the future, an option agreement must be taken within six months of the startup creation.
                                      • Effort and Salary: Although no minimum effort level is required for SPARK projects, a PI must have departmental research time available during the award period or address in the application how they will handle the time commitment required by a SPARK project. Generally speaking, SPARK is only available to tenure-track, clinical, and (Storrs/Regional Campus) APiR faculty. Research Professors / those whose positions are contingent on grant-funding (soft money positions, including UCH in-residence faculty) are not eligible. Faculty with potential SPARK projects that involve grant-dependent faculty should contact the SPARK program director before applying.
                                      • UConn Primary Appointment: SPARK PIs must be faculty whose primary appointment is at UConn / UConn Health. Faculty with primary appointments to CCMC or Jackson Labs are not eligible to apply. PIs with a primary appointment at a TIP company are also not eligible. Individuals who are not eligible to apply as a PI may be able to serve as a collaborator/consultant on an eligible PI’s SPARK project.
                                      • Number of submissions: Eligible faculty can only submit one LOI/full proposal per year as lead PI. Investigators may serve as collaborator on multiple projects.
                                      • Past SPARK Winners: Projects/technologies that have received one round of initial and follow-up funding and projects/technologies that received SPARK funding prior to FY22 are not eligible for additional SPARK awards.  Prior SPARK awardees may apply for SPARK funding for new projects/technologies that are distinct and independent of those funded with past SPARK awards. All past SPARK awardees are asked to consult with the program director prior to submission to ensure eligibility.

                                      Review Criteria

                                      SPARK LOIs and Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria:

                                      Market Need—does the innovation address an unmet need and is there evidence that there is a market for the proposed solution?

                                      • Does the applicant make a strong case that there is a need/problem that needs to be met?
                                      • To what degree will the innovation satisfy the unmet consumer, industry or medical need?
                                      • Does the proposal include market data and a compelling estimate as to what share of the market the innovation may realistically capture?

                                      Innovation and Novelty—Is the innovation novel and/or does it make a significant improvement over currently-available solutions?

                                      • Does the proposal make a convincing argument that the innovation is novel and or makes a significant improvement over currently-available solutions?
                                      • Is there existing or the potential for intellectual property protection?
                                      • To what degree does the innovation solve the unmet need differently (e.g., better, faster, cheaper) than the current state-of-the art?
                                      • If novel, is the innovation a disruptive technology, a platform technology, or an incremental improvement over the current state-of-the art?

                                      Commercialization Plan—Is there a realistic path for commercializing the innovation?

                                      • Does the proposal present a path to bring the innovation forward to market?
                                      • If so, is the path chosen (licensing, startup, etc.) the most promising for the innovation?
                                      • Does the proposal contain reasonable estimates of the time needed to enter the market?
                                      • Does the proposal present plans for future financing of the project, such as SBIR/STTR or industry investment?
                                      • For future development, will this technology require regulatory approval?  If so, does the proposal address plans for successfully navigating the process?
                                      • Does the applicant point to any obvious potential licenses / commercial partners for this innovation?

                                      Approach and Feasibility—Are the activities proposed attainable in the proposed timeline and are they consistent with the high scientific/scholarly standards?

                                      • Does the investigator/team have appropriate expertise and laboratory facilities available to conduct the work?
                                      • Does the project include the involvement of a UConn core facility or a third party be required to complete the work (e.g prototype development)?  If so, have appropriate commitments been obtained?
                                      • To what degree will the activities proposed de-risk and advance the development of the innovation?

                                      Postaward Considerations (Reporting and Follow-on Funding Policies)

                                      SPARK awardees agree to provide regular progress reports to the OVPR during and after the award period. Reports fall into four categories:

                                      • Consultations with TCS: Awardees are expected to connect regularly throughout the award period(s) with their point of contact within OVPR Technology Commercialization Services to discuss progress, to talk through potential problems, and to consider future steps and additional resources that may be of use. Each PI will work with their TCS contact to set up the best check-in schedule, but it is expected that consultations would happen at least on a quarterly basis.
                                      • Six-month Reporting: After six months of each award period (typically in September/October), applicants will be asked to submit a brief progress report via the Quest Portal.  After satisfactory review of this report, the second payment of the award period will be made to the award account.
                                        • Applies to projects that begin in FY25 and beyond.
                                        • To renew the SPARK project for 6 months;
                                          • You will need to complete a form to provide an update on required milestones
                                            • Indicate submission of Invention disclosure and reference number
                                            • Indicate if you are working with TCS Intellectual Property team to ensure filing of a provisional patent within 6 months of the project start.
                                            • Indicate if a startup exists
                                            • Indicate if an option license has been accepted from UConn
                                            • Indicate if an application for UConn TIP membership has been submitted
                                          • Upload one page report on progress and plans for the next 6-month period. If your experiments were not successful as planned, please describe what alternate approaches you will take in the next 6-month period.
                                      • Application for Renewal/Follow-on Funding: At the end of the initial award period, awardees will have an opportunity to request follow-on funding to support continued development of their innovation. The renewal process will proceed as follows:
                                        • One month prior to the completion of the initial award period, awardees will receive an invitation to submit a renewal NOI (indicating whether they would like to renew, request an extension, or allow the project to close out).
                                        • Awardees who select the renewal option will be able to submit a renewal application in the Quest system immediately after completion of the NOI.
                                        • Renewal applications should include the following:
                                          • A brief oral presentation (20 min, followed by Q&A) on project activities and accomplishments and plans for the follow-on award period. The presentation should address the milestones agreed upon at the start of the initial award period and demonstrate that they have been satisfactorily completed.  The OVPR will reach out to awardees to schedule this presentation after receiving their follow-on funding NOI.
                                          • A revised scope of work for the follow-up award period, detailing proposed activities and how those activities will move the technology forward along its path to market
                                          • A new budget with justifications outlining how follow-up funds will be used.
                                          • Renewal applicants are limited to 3 pages, plus references and budget
                                          • Invention Disclosure(s): It is expected that all SPARK awards should lead to at least 1 UConn invention disclosure within six months of the close of the award period. Invention disclosures are required prior to receiving a second year of funding.
                                      • Post award project completion reporting: After the project has been completed, the OVPR (Office of the Vice President for Research) would like to evaluate project progress and to learn more about the impact of the work that has been done.  To this end, you will receive a link to a short survey asking you questions about the outcomes and impacts of your project once your project has been completed and then again, one and three years post award project completion.

                                      Program Contacts

                                      Program Contacts:
                                      The SPARK program is jointly administered by OVPR Technology Commercialization Services and Internal Funding Program.

                                      Program Director
                                      Dr. Vivek Ramakrishnan
                                      Director, Venture Development, OVPR Technology Commercialization Services
                                      vivek.ramakrishnan@uconn.edu

                                      Dr. Matt Mroz
                                      Manager, Research Development Services
                                      matthew.mroz@uconn.edu

                                      Program point of contact (Contact for information on program/process, application status, award management/extensions)

                                      Charlotte Nelson
                                      Internal Funding Coordinator
                                      research@uconn.edu

                                      Directions & Parking

                                      Nathan Whetten Graduate Center building

                                      Address

                                      Whetten Graduate Center
                                      University of Connecticut
                                      438 Whitney Road Extension, Unit 1006
                                      Storrs, CT 06269-1006
                                      Phone: 860.486.3619
                                      Fax: 860.486.5381

                                       

                                       

                                      Directions

                                      Driving

                                      From the West:

                                      Interstate 84 East to Exit 68. From exit, take a right onto Route 195, and follow for 7 miles to campus.

                                      Alternate directions from the West:

                                      Interstate 84 East to Interstate 384 East. At end of Interstate 384 East, take left fork to Route 44 East. Follow Route 44 East to intersection with Route 195. Take a right onto Route 195 and follow the signs to campus.

                                      From the East:

                                      Interstate 84 West to Exit 68. From exit, take a left onto Route 195, and follow for 7 miles to campus.

                                      From the Southeast:

                                      Interstate 95 to 395 North. Take Exit 81 West to Route 32 North. Follow Route 32 North to Willimantic. In town, turn right and go over bridge. Continue straight through the light and follow 195 North for 8 miles to campus.

                                      Personalize your directions with Google Maps.

                                      View the campus map or download the PDF version.

                                       

                                      Parking

                                      Visitors may park in the South parking garage. See the garage self-pay parking rates for further details. For additional information about parking on campus, please consult the Department of Parking and Transportation Services website at http://www.park.uconn.edu.

                                      Walking from South Garage to Whetten Graduate Center
                                      • Exit garage, turn right and head northeast on Jim Calhoun Way towards Hillside Rd
                                      • Cross Hillside Rd between the new Student Recreation Center and the School of Business.
                                      • Follow the sidewalk and walk straight between these two buildings.
                                      • The Whetten Graduate Center building is directly in front of you.
                                      • The distance from the garage is approximately 0.02 miles.

                                      Student Web Developer (Level IV)

                                      Pay Range: $14-20/hr commensurate on experience

                                       

                                      The Office of the Vice President for Research is seeking a qualified individual to work with IT staff in rebuilding internal legacy web applications using modern tools and best practices. The individual will be tasked with using modern web languages such as PHP and Java to rebuild existing functionality while simultaneously improving the design, implementation, and user experience of these applications to best support the needs of OVPR staff.

                                       

                                      Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Interview candidates will be contacted. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your software development skills while gaining paid work experience.

                                       

                                      Required Skills:

                                      * Experience developing web or client-side applications using one or more modern languages (such as Java, PHP, JavaScript, etc.)

                                      * Working knowledge of CSS, HTML and JavaScript

                                      * Basic knowledge of MVC architecture

                                      * Experience with common JS frameworks such as (but not limited to) jQuery, Angular, backbone, etc.

                                      * Basic knowledge of SQL

                                      * Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

                                      * Must have excellent communication and computer skills

                                       

                                      Preferred Skills:

                                      * Experience working with legacy codebases

                                      * Experience using git and github as part of a team

                                      * Experience with relational database design and SQL

                                      * Experience with Laravel is a big plus

                                       

                                      Please email your resume to laurie.pudlo@uconn.edu.