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First Stop: Research Commons
Research Commons provides a unique shopping experience for University of Michigan researchers to identify internal funding opportunities in one space without having to navigate multiple websites.
Spotlight: Research Catalyst and Innovation Program
Additional Ways to Access Internal Funding
Start your funding search by reviewing the many internal funding opportunities offered by the University of Michigan. Many of the opportunities below will be available in Research Commons, so be sure to search there, too!
Depending on what your funding needs are, departments and units across campus offer a variety of funding programs and awards for researchers throughout every step of their career.
Be sure to sign up for internal newsletters across campus that will alert you to internal funding opportunities.
Limited Submission Opportunities
Sponsors sometimes limit the number of applications that may be submitted from a single institution. In that case, U-M will announce an internal competition, and reviewers determine which proposal may go forward.
- Medical School Competition SpaceLimited submissions managed by the U-M Medical School.
- U-M Office of Research Limited SubmissionsLimited submissions managed by the central U-M Office of Research (UMOR).
Faculty & Staff Funding Awards
These awards, offered by several offices across campus, are designed specifically for faculty and staff who are seeking support for areas of research and scholarship where external funds are scarce or unavailable.
If your department offers a funding program for faculty and staff that is not listed here,
email us and we'll add it to the guide!
- ADVANCE Funding OpportunitiesOffers research awards and summer grants funding.
- Coulter Translational Research PartnershipThe proceeds of an endowment from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation is used to support collaborative translational research projects that involve co-investigators from any engineering department and a clinical department.
- Ginsberg CenterAwards funding for faculty interested in advancing their scholarship while enhancing the capacity of social sector community partners and communities through substantial, reciprocal engagement.
- Institute for Research on Women and GenderIRWG offers several grants for faculty research including the Joan Schafer Award to investigate how living with physical disabilities influences interaction with physical activity; Sisters Fund for faculty projects addressing global health issues related to women and gender; and the faculty seed grant, also described below.
- Institute for the Humanities FellowshipFellowships are available for both faculty and doctoral students. See website for this year's areas of interest.
- Literature, Science, & the Arts Funding SourcesFunding for research, fellowship, subvention, or conference-related projects from the College of Literature, Science, & the Arts (LSA).
- Mi-TRAC Mid-Stage FundingProvides mid-stage, translational research funding and resources for proof-of-concept and late-stage translational studies with a high potential of commercial success.
- Rackham Graduate SchoolAwards and funding from Rackham Graduate School.
- Small Grants to Support Major ConferencesUMOR will award up to 20 awards to support conferences at U-M, particularly those that engage students. Maximum award will by $2,500.
- U-M Office of Research Bridging Support Program for Biomedical ResearchProvides funding to established investigators to continue federally-funded biomedical research programs that demonstrate a likelihood of successfully competing for federal funding.
Pilot & Feasibility Funding
Pilot and feasibility awards provide funding either to new investigators who have not yet received significant other support, or to more established investigators who are doing work in these areas for the first time. They allow for research to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger investigation or undertaking a larger project.
We encourage you to reach out to your department administrator for information about additional pilot funding specific to your research interests.
- Michigan Drug DiscoveryProvides both financial support and mentorship for drug research and discovery.
- Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Faculty Seed GrantsSupports faculty research on women and gender.
- MTRAC Innovation Hub for Life SciencesMi-Kickstart Awards are a part of the MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub and offer early-stage funding to biomedical researchers across the state of Michigan.
- Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), Traditional Seed GrantsOffers grants to basic, clinical, and social scientists for the development of new research and concepts.
- Weiser Faculty GrantsSupports faculty-led research projects that address themes related to authoritarianism and democracy, broadly understood. All Michigan faculty are eligible to apply.
- Medical School Competition SpaceAll U-M Medical School administered pilot programs, including those offered by centers and institutes affiliated with the Medical School, can be found here.