The University must comply with government statutes pertaining to the use of humans as subjects, experimental animals, pathogenic organisms, ionizing radiation, radioisotopes, toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic agents, or recombinant DNA.  Women and members of minority groups should be included in any IRIG-supported project involving human subjects, unless a compelling reason is given that inclusion is not appropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research.

• Multidisciplinary Research Grant (MRG): The goal of the MRG program is to identify new areas of promising multidisciplinary research in the university that will lead to improvements in federally-funded research competitiveness. The focus is to seed innovative research activities that have potential for competing in multidisciplinary extramurally funded grants programs. NSF's Crosscutting/Interdisciplinary programs and NIH's programs in Biomedical Engineering are two specific examples, but other federal funding agencies support multidisciplinary research programs in specific high priority areas as well. Applicants are required to be full-time faculty members. Awards will be made up to $10,000 for one year.   Application Forms and Deadlines

• Vice President for Research Undergraduate Research Scholar Grant (URS): Undergraduate Research Scholar Grants (URS): The primary purpose of a URS is to enrich the research, scholarship and creative arts experience of the undergraduate student by involving the student in research collaboration with a faculty member. The student is expected to become intellectually involved in design and execution of the research project, not just serve as "another pair of hands." The undergraduate student writes the URS proposal after he or she has identified a faculty mentor who is interested in serving as the mentor. The faculty mentor is expected to make arrangements for the student to receive up to three (3) hours of course credit for the research or creative activity and provide a grade for the work completed by the student. Students are encouraged to present a poster, or an equivalent demonstration of the research, on the Undergraduate Research Day. The student may request up to $300 (dry lab/creative activity) or $500 (wet lab) for supplies and expenses required for conducting the research or creative activity. URS proposals may be submitted at any time. They will be reviewed on a monthly basis. The form can be found on the web.   Application Form

• Project Completion Grant (PCG):The primary purpose of a PCG is to assist faculty who are nearing the end of a scholarly project and need some ancillary support to bring it to completion. PCG funds may be used to cover the costs of travel required to complete the project, manuscript preparation, library computer searches, release from teaching duties, or other reasonable and appropriate research expenses. Grants up to $4,000 are provided.   Application Forms and Deadlines

• Research Initiation Grant (RIG): The primary purpose of a RIG is to assist faculty in the initiation of new research projects. Funds may be used for equipment, expendable supplies, travel necessary for the conduct of the research, student wages, release from teaching duties, or other reasonable and appropriate research expenses. In general, priority is given to new faculty, those entering new areas of research and scholarship and others who have not previously received an RIG. Grants up to $5,000 are provided.  Application Forms and Deadlines

• Research On Women Grant (ROW): This grant is available to full- and part-time faculty. The primary purpose of an ROW grant is to provide support to stimulate scholarship on women and encourage research on women's issues.  Funds may be used for equipment, expendable supplies, travel necessary for the conduct of the research, student wages, release from teaching duties, or other reasonable and appropriate research expenses. Grants are provided up to $4,000.   Application Forms and Deadlines

• Undergraduate Research Grants (URG): The primary purpose of a URG is to enhance the research environment of a unit by involving undergraduate students in research in collaboration with a faculty mentor.  Special consideration will be given to projects in which the student is intellectually involved in design and execution of the research.  Students will be expected to provide a written report on their project participation and have it evaluated by faculty.  Students are encouraged to co-author scholarly research papers with their mentors. Priority will be given to projects involving University of Louisville undergraduates and no awards will be made to projects in which students provide just "another pair of hands."  URG funds may be used for undergraduate student stipends and supplies.  They may range from a 10-week summer project to a full year.  Grants up to $3,000 are provided.    Application Forms and Deadlines

Vice President for Research Undergraduate Research Scholar Grant (URS) proposals can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed monthly. The Competitive Enhancement Grant (CEG) proposals must be received by the first day of the month (the first work day) in order to assign reviewers for that month's Research Advisory Council meeting. The next application deadline (Fall 2009) for MRG, PCG, RIG, ROW, or URG will be Monday, October 19, 2009.  

Under the University's current budgeting practices, it is possible to carry funds over to the next fiscal year. However, the usual maximum period of any grant is one year from the proposed starting date. Investigators who have received prior funding from IRIG must submit a report on their prior grants in order to be eligible for additional funding. Grants from these intramural funding programs may not be used to fund travel to professional meetings, symposia, workshops, etc., and any deviations from the proposal budget must have the prior approval of the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research.

Applications may be downloaded from our web page or by contacting Susan Simpson in Jouett Hall.  She can also be reached  by calling 852-8372. Questions about the nature of the grants or how the awards are made should be directed to Dr. Pamela Feldhoff by calling 852-7136. Completed applications must be submitted by the deadline date given on the application forms. All proposals will be reviewed by a faculty advisory committee which will make recommendations as soon after that date as possible.

Questions about the nature of the URS grants should be directed to Dr. Pamela Feldhoff by calling 852-7136 or 852-3791.