Collaborative Research Grant RFP
An important component of 4-VA’s mission is improving research competitiveness within the commonwealth by providing funding for faculty to engage in pilot research that could be used as a springboard for subsequent, major grants (e.g., NSF, NIH). 4-VA collaborative research grants are intended to establish partnerships between faculty and universities, help maximize university resources and provide access to highly specialized laboratory equipment.
Grants are typically awarded in the amounts of $5,000-$30,000 and are expected to identify fund spend down by end of the current fiscal year. Funding priority will be given to faculty who have not received 4-VA funding previously.
Virginia Tech is most interested in collaborative research proposals that align with the major research initiatives that address areas of artificial intelligence, health, security, and quantum technologies. Other areas of interest are projects that build pathways to graduate school in Virginia, proposals focused on expanding experiential learning opportunities, and the investigation of emerging technologies. Of particular interest are proposals for research projects in biomedical and health sciences that could expand the University’s NIH funding portfolio.
Proposals are required to involve at least one cross-institution collaboration with a 4-VA partner institution. 4-VA partner institution faculty involved in proposals will be eligible for complementary funding of up to $5,000 per partner institution involved. This complementary funding must be requested by the partner faculty from their home institution.
Spring 2024 Timeline
Call open: December 5, 2023
Proposals due: March 1, 2024
Notification: Beginning mid-April 2024
See a list of recent awards at https://tlos.vt.edu/grants/fy24.html
Who may apply for a 4-VA grant
4-VA grants are open to all Virginia Tech faculty. Faculty may name staff or graduate students as Co-PIs and are encouraged to include undergraduate and graduate students on their research teams.
PIs and Co-PIs must be officially affiliated with a 4-VA institution at the time of proposal submission. Change of affiliation of any team member must be reported in a timely manner.
Funding information
Funding amounts are expected to range from $5,000 – $30,000 per grant, not including complementary funding that may be supplied by partner institutions.