Funding Opportunities

1. The principal investigator (PI) must have a full-time tenure or tenure-track appointment at any rank, and whose appointment is going to be renewed the following fiscal year. 
2. No more than two PIs are allowed per grant.
3. A faculty member who has received a SIU Foundation Research and Creative Grant in the past two years is ineligible to apply.

1. Cover page: Should include proposal title; name(s), contact information, School and College affiliation of the PI(s); no more than five (5) keywords for the activity (1 page maximum). Clearly indicate if the proposal is under the Humanities and Arts competition or under the general competition.
2. Abstract (250 words maximum)
3. Project description: A description of the project, its significance in the field, a demonstration of the innovation and impact. If students are part of the proposed work the description should include outcomes that relate to student training and success. Describe how the proposed work will positively impact the future creative, scholarly, or research activities of the PI(s). This section must also contain a clear, specific description of the envisioned grant activities, a timeline, and the expected outcomes of the project, for example: a series of articles, a book, exhibitions, performances, grant proposals to funding organizations, etc. (Maximum of six (6), single-spaced pages using a 12-point font).
4. Previous workk of the PI(s): Describe previous, related work that highlights the capabilities of the PI(s) to successfully complete the proposed work. In cases where the proposed work is meant to support the PI's exploration of new work, this section must detail how the proposed work will assist in accomplishing this transition.
5. Budget: Detailed OSPA budget detailing all expenditures. Allowable expenses include undergraduate student or graduate RA or postdoc salary; travel to conduct research; purchase of equipment; costs of using equipment and consumables. Disallowed expenses include faculty salary; conference travel; publication costs; facility renovations; equipment maintenance; software upgrades. If there are any questions about the allowability of proposed expenses, please contact the Office of the VCR by submitting a question to ovcr@siu.edu.
6. Budget Justification (1 page maximum)
7. Biographical sketches of the PI(s): Two (2) page maximum per PI.
8. Letter of support (optional): The PI(s) may include a support letter from the appropriate School Director. This letter is mandatory if the School is providing additional funding, or access to facilities and equipment, or any other type of support for the project.

1. The PI(s) must submit to the VCR a final report on the project's outcome within three (3) months after the grant period ends.
2. The PI(s) must present their work in a public setting at a national or international level, or on campus, within six (6) months after the end of the grant period.

The period of performance is 12 months: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.

All funds must be expended during the period of performance. Under no circumstances will the funds be extended beyond June 30, 2027. Costs incurred before the grant period will not be covered. In extraordinary cases some funds may be expended before July 1, 2026). This needs to be explained very clearly under Budget justification and permission must be received before any funds are expended before July 1, 2026.

All University and State rules for travel, purchasing, hiring, etc. must be followed. In cases of work involving human subjects, animals, chemicals, viruses, collaborations with foreign institutions, etc. all work must have approriate permissions before any funds can be disbursed. For details of compliance issues that may need to be addressed visit the Office of Research Compliance.

Applications are due January 31, 2026. Submit a single PDF document through D2L under "2026-2027 SIU Foundation Faculty Grant," and go to Assessments > Assignments. 

Late submissions will not be accepted.

The evaluation committee will be composed of one Dean, two Research Center Directors, and three prior faculty awardees. Reviewers will consider each of the review criteria below in the determination of merit. Final funding decisions will be made by the VCR in consultation with the reviewers, and will be based on the need for a broad distribution of the funds, as well as on the availability of funds. Awards will be announced during April 2026.

Criteria:

Significance - Does the project address an important area in the field(s) in which the projecteis situated? Will successful completion of the project advance advance the field(s)? How will successful completion of the project enable advancement in the PI's research, scholarly, or creative pursuits? How will the project benefit SIU's visibility, reputation, and research in the field(s)? If students are engaged, how will the work enhance student learning and success?

Approach - Quality and clarity of the proposal's concept, objective, timeline, and description. Demonstration of an excellent understanding of the field(s) in which the project is situated. Appropriate use of resources. Feasibility of the performance plan. Appropriateness of the budget.

Investigators - Does the PI or do the PIs have the required expertise in the field proposed? Quality, results, and promise of the recent and current work of the PI or PIs.