The President鈥檚 Interdisciplinary Research Accelerator Challenge provides support to interdisciplinary research teams to work with a national research development firm, , on extramural funding proposal planning, development, and review.
The Challenge involves two phases: 1) Teams develop a short proposal outlining their project; 2) 6 teams will be invited to present their project as a 鈥減itch鈥 during the 2026 Interdisciplinary Research Symposium on January 28, 2026.
This competition complements to support collaborative and interdisciplinary research and scholarship. Dedicated planning and proposal development support to secure extramural funding is one of the most pressing faculty needs reported to the Division of Research around collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. Many research intensive institutions provide some grant writing services in-house in combination with contracted services that fill specialty gaps and develop faculty capacity. At 性视界传媒, some College/School level support may exist for discipline-specific and smaller-scale projects. This competition offers an additional mechanism to distribute support for research development to foster high-quality, competitive proposals.
The Challenge is also responsive to the demands placed on faculty and project teams brought on by changing federal research priorities, which may require teams to pivot and shift their research focus. In recognition of the different needs on campus, the Challenge is not limited to only research project grant goals, but could include projects with a range of funding targets, including:
- Planning or coordination grants - supports targeted planning or coordination activities designed to foster increased resource sharing, develop research/practice communities, coordinate planning for research activities or programs, and support communication and outreach. This grant type ensures adequate support, networks, and resources for flourishing research activities.
- Training grants - supports developing training programs for undergraduate students, graduate students, and/or faculty in a specific area. This grant type should include research activities to build expertise and capacity for research.
- Research grants - supports the production of research/scholarship/creative activity.
- Center or Infrastructure grants - supports the development of research centers/institutes or major infrastructure designed to support the research enterprise.
Eligibility: Teams may include faculty, staff, students, and/or external collaborators. However, the project must be led by a 性视界传媒 administrative or academic faculty member who is PI-eligible at the time of submission. The team is responsible for communicating how their project is interdisciplinary.
Awards: Selections will be made based on the combined importance and quality of the concept papers and Finalist Pitch.
We expect to make awards to up to 3 teams. The funds will not be distributed directly to the teams; instead, the Division of Research will administer the Challenge through a contract with McAllister & Quinn. Teams will have the equivalent of $20,000 of contract support.
Apply: Teams will develop a proposal concept paper. This will constitute the initial application for the award. Based on the proposal concept paper, teams will be selected to move onto the Finalist Pitch stage. The concept paper should be no more than five pages, with double-spaced text. Proposal concept papers will be submitted through the platform by October 1, 2025, 11:59pm.
Proposal Review: Panelist review of the concept papers will be completed with notifications of selection for the Finalist Pitch by October 17, 2025.
Present Finalist Pitch: Up to 6 proposals will be selected to give brief pitches to a selection committee. Teams must be present in person on January 28 14 at the Interdisciplinary Research Symposium to complete the pitch. Details regarding the pitch content will be provided at the time of notification.
Awardees: Awardees will be notified of decisions during the Research Symposium.
Questions: Contact Gwen Marchand, Associate Vice President for Research, gwen.marchand@unlv.edu or 702-895-4811.
Concept paper and full challenge details are available on the Challenge Website.