REACH Proposal Submission

Program Focus Areas

Applicants will organize into interdisciplinary teams and contribute to one of the following strategic challenge areas:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Challenge
2. Health Challenge
3. Workforce Development Challenge
4. High Risk and High Reward

Each team is expected to identify collaborators within the cohort, build a cohesive research concept, and develop a strategy for submitting a competitive external funding proposal.

Program Goals

The Research Development Award Program is designed to:

• Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty
• Support the development of innovative, high-impact research concepts
• Enable teams to prepare competitive proposals for external funding opportunities
• Strengthen UNCG’s alignment with emerging industries and societal needs

This program provides a unique opportunity to:

• Build meaningful interdisciplinary partnerships
• Develop ideas aligned with high-priority funding areas
• Access resources and support for proposal development
• Position your research for significant external funding success

Use of Funds

Awarded funds are intended to support early-stage research development activities that lead to strong, competitive proposals. Allowable uses include:

• Team Building and Convenings: Support the organization of workshops, symposia, or small conferences that bring together collaborators, external partners, and stakeholders to shape research ideas and define project scope.
• Seed Funding for Preliminary Work: Generate pilot data, conduct feasibility studies, or develop proof-of-concept work that strengthens future grant applications.
• Proposal Development Activities: Engage in structured proposal writing, including support for grant writing consultations, facilitation, and coordination of team-based proposal development efforts.

Program Structure and Expectations

This program emphasizes active engagement and intentional collaboration. Selected teams will:

• Participate in cohort-based activities to share ideas and build partnerships
• Work collaboratively within their selected challenge area to define a compelling research vision
• Engage with research development staff, grant writers, and institutional resources
• Dedicate time during April and May to develop a proposal or concept paper
• Present their research concept or proposal framework on May 15.

Teams are encouraged to seek out institutional support, attend relevant talks and workshops, and leverage available expertise to strengthen their proposals.

Deliverables

Each team will be expected to produce:

• A clear concept for an external funding proposal (e.g., white paper, concept note, or draft proposal) –3 PAGE LIMIT
• Identification of target funding opportunities
• A plan for submission of a competitive external grant

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Review Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to lead to competitive external funding, as well as their alignment with institutional and strategic priorities. Reviewers will consider the following:

1. Alignment with Strategic Challenge Area

• Clear alignment with one of the three focus areas: AI, Health, or Workforce Development
• Relevance to regional, state, and national priorities
• Potential to address significant societal or industry needs

2. Potential for External Funding

• Strength of the proposed concept in relation to known funding opportunities (e.g., NSF, NIH, DoD, DOE, foundations)
• Clear identification of target sponsors or programs
• Likelihood that the proposed work can evolve into a competitive external proposal

3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Inclusion of faculty from multiple disciplines or units
• Evidence of meaningful collaboration (not just participation)
• Potential to build sustained research teams beyond this program

4. Innovation and Impact

• Novelty and creativity of the proposed idea or approach
• Potential for significant scientific, societal, economic, or workforce impact
• Contribution to emerging areas such as AI integration, health innovation, or workforce transformation

5. Plan for Use of Funds

• Clear and strategic use of requested funds
• Alignment of budget with activities that strengthen proposal competitiveness (e.g., convenings, pilot data, proposal development)
• Feasibility of proposed activities within the program timeline

6. Feasibility and Readiness

• Clarity of the project concept and proposed next steps
• Realistic plan to develop a proposal or concept paper by May 15
• Demonstrated commitment to engaging in cohort activities and program milestones

7. Team Engagement and Commitment

• Willingness to actively participate in workshops, meetings, and collaborative sessions
• Plan to leverage institutional resources (e.g., research development staff, grant writers)
• Evidence that the team is committed to submitting an external proposal following the program

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BUDGET:

Each selected project may request funding in the range of $10,000 to $15,000 to support research development activities that directly contribute to the preparation of a competitive external funding proposal.

Budget Justification:

Applicants must include a brief budget justification (1 page maximum) describing how the requested funds will be used to advance proposal development and increase competitiveness for external funding.

Expectations:

All funds must be expended within the program period. Awardees are expected to use these resources strategically to produce a strong concept paper or proposal draft and position the team for submission to an external funding opportunity.

Submit Proposals here