The possible budget for programs created through this initiative is open and flexible, but it should be well justified and commensurate with the size of the research community to be impacted and the scale / impact of the work to be undertaken. We encourage proposers to think carefully about what is needed to be impactful and scale requests accordingly. 

We expect that programs that include funding for seed / pilot projects will have awards that fall within the norms of previous OVPR internal funding programs, unless strong justification is provided. 

Programs may include requests for other resources, such as access to / development of datasets, that will enable research advances in areas of opportunity or need. 

• Any full-time UConn/UConn Health faculty member, with a rank of Assistant Professor or higher, may propose an internal funding program under this initiative.
  
  • Includes tenured/tenure-track, in-residence, clinical, extension, and research faculty 
• It is expected that the faculty member proposing the program would serve as the Program Manager (PM), unless otherwise indicated. 
• PM responsibilities include: 
  • Shaping the description and scope of the program 
  • Identifying potential reviewers for applications 
  • Interpreting review scores and making funding recommendations to OVPR leadership based on those reviews 
• PMs will be supported administratively by the Quest Portal and OVPR’s Internal Funding team (Charlotte Nelson and Kaylei Arcangel).  Our team will: 
  • Advertise the program to the UConn community 
  • Respond to questions about the program and application submission 
  • Handle outreach to reviewers and set up review assignments 
  • Process review information and feedback to share with PM 
  • Support PM and reviewers with program development and administration 
  • Work with OVPR Research Finance to set up awards 

• Given the role that PMs will play in shaping the program, they are not eligible to serve as PI or co-PI on proposals submitted to the program. 

Application Form – available on the QUEST Portal 

• Applicant information 

• 1-slide quad chart (template), and 1-2 page white paper describing the need you see and what kind of program would meet that need.  The quad chart and white paper should address the questions below, with the quad chart presenting brief bullet responses within the four headings; identified need, stakeholders, alignment with state investment areas, deliverables and benefits and the white paper providing additional information (data, analysis, and arguments) in support of claims made in the 1-slide quad chart. We encourage you to read through the questions listed under the heading ‘Review Criteria’ to ensure that your application addresses the areas that the reviewers will be examining.
  • Identified needs
    • What is the unmet need or gap your program will address? 
    • Why is it important / urgent to meet this need? 
    • What are you proposing to meet this need?   
    • Could the funding need be met by any other means (internal or external?) 
  • Stakeholders
    • Who will benefit from this program?  Estimate size of stakeholder group who will leverage the program, disciplines engaged, etc.) 
    • Who will be the program manager for the proposed program?  Why are they qualified to serve in that role? 
  • Alignment with State Investment Areas
    • What existing areas of strength at UConn/UCH does this program engage/build upon? 
    • How does this program align with  
      • Areas that have been deprioritized on the federal level since 2025 (supported by data/argument).
      • CT State strategic priorities: bioscience, advanced manufacturing, quantum technologies, and health innovation.
      • Federal R&D priorities: See the administration’s FY28 Federal R&D Priorities memorandum. 
      • Areas of demonstrated, unmet, and urgent societal need (supported by data/argument). 
  • Deliverables and Benefits 
    • What are the expected outcomes of this program that can be reported back to the State? 
      • Examples of potential outcomes may include jobs preserved or extended, students impacted, communities/individuals impacted, dollars saved, economic impact generated, new interdisciplinary collaborations, increased UConn engagement with industry and local communities and strengthening of UConn research reputation/standing, etc.
    • What benefits or impact do you expect to follow from this program? 
    • If applicable, how will this program increase UConn/UCH’s competitiveness for other funding? 

If you have an idea, and you do not want to manage the program, we encourage you to reach out to a Center/Institute to sponsor it for you. (Name of C/I, contact name and email can be included in the application form) 

• Graduate student support (priority) 
• Percentage of faculty AY salary for internal research activities (that will be sent back to the school / college) 
• Limited summer salary, and “buy-outs” of teaching or other responsibilities with approval of unit head and dean 
• Project-related costs (no capital expenses) 
• Cost-sharing from unrestricted faculty / unit accounts will be allowable  
• Use of core facilities / “recharge” 
• Undergraduate student labor costs 
• Development / refinement of institution core infrastructure (e.g., database, system, service) 

After submission, the application will be reviewed by the OVPR to ensure that all the components needed are included and will either reach out to the Program Manager for further information or move it forward to the area leadership for review and approval.  Once approved by area leadership, the application will be routed to the Project Regenerate review committee for review. The review committee will consist of an interdisciplinary group of Associate Deans for Research, Center/Institute Directors and members of the Research Advisory Council (RAC). The review committee review applications based on the following 7 criteria - NOTE: Below are specific questions that reviewers can look for answers to in the application.  Not all questions posed below are applicable to each application. 

• NEED:  

• • Does this program clearly identify/articulate a specific area of need or opportunity? 
  • Does the application provide compelling justification that the focus area of need or opportunity is significant and/or urgent 
  • Does the application make a strong case that investment is needed for UConn researchers to meet/prepare to meet the identified need/opportunity 
  • Does the application make a strong case that the funding need identified cannot be met through other means, either internal or external?  Is Project Regenerate the best way to support this effort? 

• ALIGNMENT WITH PRIORITIES:  

• • Does the program seek to leverage existing areas of strength within UConn/UConn Health? 
  • Is the program well aligned with one or more of the following priority areas: 
  • Areas that have been deprioritized on the federal level since 2025 (supported by data/argument)
  • CT State strategic priorities: bioscience, advanced manufacturing, quantum technologies, and health innovation 
  • Federal R&D priorities: See the administration’s FY28 Federal R&D Priorities memorandum. 
  • Areas of demonstrated, unmet, and urgent societal need (supported by data/argument)

• FEASIBILITY:
  • Based on the information provided, is the proposed program likely to effectively address the area or need or opportunity being targeted?
  • Is there a sufficient stakeholder community within UConn/UConn Health to leverage this program, if it is offered? 
  • Does UConn/UCH’s research environment have the necessary resources / infrastructure to support the activities of the proposed program?   
  • Are there any barriers or bottlenecks that will limit the ability of the proposed program to effectively accomplish its objectives? 

• PROGRAM MANAGER:
   
  • Is the identified Program Manager (PM) well equipped to implement the proposed program? 
  • Does the PM have the right mix of disciplinary knowledge / expertise to lead a program in the targeted area 
  • Does their Bio/CV reflect track record of success? 
  • Do they have leadership and/or project management skills/experience to be effective as a PM? 

• FUNDING:  
   
  • Does the application describe the scale of investment needed (individual investments and program aggregate)?
  • Is the requested investment well-justified given the stated objectives?
  • Is the requested investment well-aligned with the size of the stakeholder community that could participate in the program?
  • Are there any cost sharing commitments (internal or external) that could extend the impact of the program? 

• IMPACT:  

• • Is the proposed program likely to produce outcomes that are meaningful for the targeted areas of need/opportunity?  Will it “move the needle”? 
  • Will the proposed program be instrumental for supporting/growing UConn/UConn’s research capacity in the targeted research area? 
  • Will the proposed program produce meaningful engagement by UConn and UConn Health researchers within the targeted areas of need/opportunity? 

• OUTCOMES AND ANTICIPATED ROI:  

• • Does the application clearly articulate the anticipated outcomes of the proposed program? 
  • Is the proposed program likely to improve UConn’s competitiveness for external funding (short or long term) in the targeted area?  
  • Is the proposed program likely to help stabilize research staffing levels (including graduate students) in the stakeholder community? 
  • Is the proposed program likely to help generate new collaborations, particularly across disciplines?
  • Is the proposed program likely to increase UConn’s engagement with industry? 
  • Is the proposed program likely to strengthen Connecticut’s workforce in areas of need? 
  • Is the proposed program likely to strengthen UConn’s research reputation/standing? 
  • Is the proposed program likely to include engagement with local communities within the state? 
  • Is the proposed program likely to lead to societal and/or economic benefits for the State? 

After awards are made and the project has been completed, the OVPR (Office of the Vice President for Research) needs 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.