The Research Instrumentation Fund (RIF) provides support to faculty and core facilities for new equipment purchases and to replace or upgrade existing research instruments. Funding comes from the University’s indirect cost reimbursements.

The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards Program provides research seed money for junior faculty at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) member institutions. These competitive research awards often result in additional funding from other sources. The awards are intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty and result in new funding opportunities.

University of Utah Health strongly supports faculty who are working to balance family wellness with scholarly and professional obligations. With initial funding from the Castleton Family and donations from U of U Health leaders, funds are available to individual faculty members to offset the costs associated with dependent care (e.g., child, ill/disabled partner, or elder care) expenses while traveling to attend professional meetings, conferences, workshops, study sections, and other professional development offerings away from home.

The STEM Ambassador Program (STEMAP) is accepting applications from faculty, post docs, graduate students, and staff in STEM fields for its 2020 science communication and public engagement cohort. Through STEMAP, scientists design and implement public engagement of science activities in non-traditional venues to reach those who cannot or do not engage with science through conventional outlets, such as by visiting a museum or science center.

Have you ever received this feedback? Talking with a program officer can have a powerful impact on a researcher's thinking. From re-sharing the research design to reconsidering where the proposal should be submitted, or if it even should be submitted at all. Preproposal communication with program officers can help avoid a distressing outcome, and perhaps protect your most precious resource – your time. Talking with researchers is one of the most important responsibilities assigned to program officers, so you should help them do their jobs!