Office of the Vice President for Research

The University of Utah is once again strategically collecting ideas for Utah Talent Ready/USHE’s 2025 cycle of the Life Science Workforce Initiative. In 2024, the Utah Legislature appropriated $2 million in one-time funds and an additional $2 million in ongoing funds for the Life Science Workforce Initiative. The initiative's goal is to prepare a workforce with the skills to meet the future needs of Utah's growing Life Science industries. This initiative aims to fund the creation or expansion of Life Science certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees that will prepare students for current and future careers in high-demand Life Science occupations.

The full RFP can be found HERE and should be reviewed in full before preparing an application.

Note that a limited number of proposals will be selected by the sponsor for funding. This opportunity is highly selective and competitive.

While there is no limit to the number of applications submitted from the University of Utah, we are asking UofU faculty with interest in this opportunity to submit an Intent-to-Apply to this internal competition. Doing so will allow for a strategic, strong, and coordinated response from the University of Utah, give leadership the ability to connect applicants with resources such as proposal guidance, cross-campus collaborations, etc. All submitted proposals will be reviewed by the Offices of the President, the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences. These offices will mutually determine who will be supported by the university to proceed with full submission to the sponsor.

Intent-to-apply applications are due by 11:59pm (MST) on April 24, 2025.  Full proposals to the sponsor are due by 5:00pm (MST) on June 12, 2025.

“Intent-to-Apply” applications must be submitted via the InfoReady competition portal: https://utah.infoready4.com/#freeformCompetitionDetail/1969793.

USHE is hosting an RFP Informational Session/Q&A on Wednesday, April 9^th from 11:00am-12:00pm (click HERE to register!) Potential applicants and others interested in the Life Science Workforce Initiative are encouraged to attend this virtual RFP information session. Talent Ready Utah staff will be present to share information and answer questions.

Questions about this program or intent-to-apply competition can be directed to vprgrants@utah.edu. The VPR Grants team will coordinate with appropriate leadership to respond to questions.

Thank you!