President’s Collaborative Research Awards

In order to foster new and exciting alliances, the President’s Office is providing funding for innovative projects that demonstrate collaboration across colleges. The President’s Collaborative Research Awards support new ideas and pilot projects that may lead to expanded efforts and additional grant funding, launch new education programs, or foster new areas of research excellence.

Funding amounts and availability

• Multiple awards of up to $100,000 will be made. 

Who can apply

• Each applicant team must include at least two faculty and/or researchers from different Rush University colleges. 
• Researchers who already work in collaboration may apply, but their PCRA application must reflect a new, not-yet-funded area of focus and research. 
• Applications addressing a wide range of topics are encouraged. Examples include novel educational, research and/or entrepreneurial projects that align with the University’s vision to improve health. 
• Creative interdisciplinary or interprofessional applications that engage disciplines outside of health care (e.g., engineering) are encouraged. 
• Early career investigators and diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. 

How to apply

Please submit your proposal using the online application form. Your proposal should consist of two merged PDF files, in 11-point Arial font with one inch margins, that include the content detailed below.

File 1

• A cover page, containing the following: 
  • Grant proposal title 
  • Names of principal investigators and other significant collaborators 
• Streamlined biosketches for multiple PIs and key personnel – use this biosketch template  
  • Include the most relevant research background, publication history and funding history 
• A project summary/abstract in layman’s terms (one page) 
• Specific aims (one page) 
• Significance and innovation (one page) 
• Research strategy/approach (no more than six pages) 
• Environment and facilities (one page) 
• Conflict of Interest list for multiple PIs: Please list current Rush collaborators with whom you have published or written grants in the past three years (no more than one page)

File 2

• Budget – use this budget template  
  • Allowable: Up to 10% effort for PIs, publication costs 
  • Not allowable hardware purchase, capital expenses 

A panel of non-competing researchers will review applications based on significance, research strategy and potential impact; innovation and feasibility of the proposed project; nature and degree of collaboration; and identification of one or more potential future funding streams. 

The review panel will make recommendations for funding to the president, who will select the award winners. Successful applicants will be notified via email.