UAB recognizes that today’s research environment brings increased competition for federal funding. To help address these challenges and leverage new opportunities, the university is committed to partnering with researchers by providing stability, flexibility and resources that allow them to focus on what matters most: leading-edge discovery research that will improve lives and change the future, says UAB President Ray Watts, M.D.
Through the Research Strategic Initiative, UAB is continuing to build capacity across the institution’s research enterprise in 2026 through several new and continuing funding and training opportunities, as well as support services designed to help researchers and research administrators alike.
Presidential Faculty Support
As part of the RSI initiative, three initiatives under the Presidential Faculty Support program provide resources to sustain, retain and recruit world-class researchers whose work drives innovation and aligns with UAB’s mission and priorities. These programs are designed to help researchers maintain momentum and explore new directions in their work.
Presidential Bridge Funding
The UAB Presidential Bridge Funding program, supported by the Alabama State Legislature’s generous supplemental appropriation of $2.5 million, is designed to maintain research continuity during temporary funding gaps, ensuring that promising research continues without disruption.
- The program offers up to $100,000 in short-term support (up to 12 months) from central funding sources to assist with personnel retention, proposal resubmission and strategic pivots. Participation requires a matching contribution from the department or school/college.
- Applications are open now on the Research Strategic Initiative website.
Clinical Trialist Development
The Clinical Trialist Development Program, also supported by the Alabama State Legislature’s generous supplemental state allocation, equips faculty (assistant and associate professors) with the skills, mentorship and resources needed to lead innovative clinical trials that advance patient care and scientific discovery.
- Participants receive two years of protected time of at least 20 percent of total effort to develop a clinical trials portfolio. Eligible faculty must have prior or current participation in at least one industry-sponsored clinical trial as PI, site PI, sub-investigator or equivalent, and have the commitment of a mentor (identified by the candidate).
- Applications are open now; application deadlines for calendar year 2026 are Jan. 15, April 15 and July 15.
Faculty Recruitment
Faculty Recruitment Funding is designed to attract outstanding faculty whose research aligns with UAB’s research strategic priorities. Recipients of this funding are honored as UAB Presidential Faculty Scholars, recognizing their exceptional contributions to high-impact, highly funded research. Learn more about the UAB Presidential Faculty Scholar Class of 2024-2025 here.
Research Development Office connects researchers with resources
While the Presidential Faculty Support programs provide critical funding and recognition, UAB is also committed to providing the guidance and resources researchers need to thrive. The Research Development Office in the Office of Research serves as a dedicated partner to help individual researchers, research teams and research administrators connect with resources and support their competitiveness in attracting extramural research funding. This can be particularly helpful for researchers who are looking to make strategic pivots to new research areas or locate new funding sources, ensuring that UAB researchers have the tools they need to thrive.
Pivot-RP
The RDO hosts the Pivot-RP tool, a comprehensive, international database of grants, fellowships and other funding sources that identifies funding opportunities that align with specific areas of interest. The tool allows researchers to craft tailored searches through the use of features like filters and AI-driven semantic searching to find the most relevant opportunities. Additionally, Pivot-RP provides custom opportunity recommendations based on a user’s profile and activity. UAB’s faculty, staff and students have direct access to the Pivot-RP tool at any time. The RDO can also schedule visits to departments or units for hands-on demonstrations.
One-on-one consultations
Researchers can also make an appointment for one-on-one consultation with the RDO. The RDO team can assist with the earliest stages of idea development and identify potential UAB-based collaborators who may add complementary expertise to the project. Email
“If you want support on your research journey, let us know and we would love to partner with you,” said Frannie Horn, J.D., director of Research Development.
Apply now for Team Science Program
Teams working to develop successful extramural proposals for multi-project program grants, including NIH center and U grants, can apply for seed funding through UAB’s Team Science Program, which is administered through the Research Development Office.
Through Jan. 30, teams can apply for up to $5,000 to support planning and external advising. (Teams must include representatives from multiple schools/colleges.) Awardees will be notified in March. Interested applicants should choose Team Science Program Phase I, Cycle 2 Program Planning Grant from the InfoReady (infoready4.com) Application Portal table.
National Science Foundation Grant Writing Program
The RDO, in collaboration with The Implementation Group, has launched a new NSF Grant Writing Program to support early-career faculty in developing competitive proposals for the National Science Foundation, including the foundation’s prestigious Early Career Development Program (CAREER). The program features two cohorts:
- NSF CAREER Cohort: For faculty with prior NSF funding experience, this track provides expert-led workshops, peer review circles modeled after NSF panel criteria, and individualized mentoring from senior faculty to strengthen technical skills and confidence in grant writing.
- NSF Orientation Cohort: Designed for early-career faculty new to NSF, this three-part series helps participants understand NSF funding mechanisms, identify appropriate programs and begin their grant-writing journey.
Specialized research training and a new community of practice
In addition to skill-building and training, research staff have expressed a desire for more networking and collaboration opportunities. The Council of Advocates for Research Excellence, or CARE, is a new community of practice program created to provide these opportunities for research development and research administration professionals across the entire campus. “CARE developed out of a desire to support administrators and developers in being more connected to each other and then also knowledge-share and collaborate. If your PI is looking to apply for National Science Foundation funding, for example, this will allow you to find expert help here on campus,” said Project Manager Jeremy Arnold.
Interested research administration or development staff may join the community of practice by submitting an application through InfoReady.
