Core Funding Opportunities
The Research Core Facilities Program helps to support the operation and maintenance of many multi-user instruments on campus by promoting and developing best practices for instrument and facility operation and management. Before applying for funding for a new instrument, review the dynamic inventory of shared campus resources in our searchable Research Core Directory.
Research Cores Central Investment Program:
Call for Applications [FY2026 & FY2027]
Website section updated on March 13, 2026
The Vice Chancellor for Research is pleased to announce the launch of the Research Cores Central Investment Program, an outcome of the START Committee for Increasing Our Research Excellence with the support of the Provost. Research cores are vital to fulfilling our vibrant research, service, and teaching mission. Cores provide technologies, services, education, and other capabilities that are utilized by thousands of faculty and students across UC Davis. Central campus will provide $1 million in ongoing funds and $250,000 in additional one-time funds (totaling $2.25 million for FY2026 and FY2027 combined) to support strategic investments in campus research cores.
The Research Cores Central Investment (RCCI) Program invites applications for one-time investments in core operational expenses, including salary for technical staff, and equipment and instrument upgrade, maintenance, service and repair costs. The RCCI will provide strategic investments in UC Davis research cores and shared research facilities to retain and maintain critical capabilities. Operational costs must be related to current expenses in FY2026 and anticipated expenses in FY2027. Deficit recovery is not an eligible expense. Funds will be provided as reimbursement for expenses in the appropriate fiscal year. Awards are for FY2026 and/or FY2027 only and will not imply any continuing commitment.
Research cores eligible for central funding include any organized shared research facility or resource that provides access to technologies, equipment, services, and expert consultation to enable, facilitate, and enhance the research mission of the university. Research cores must provide support for the development, collection, processing, and analysis of primary research data or scholarship and not primarily serve a compliance, regulatory, or administrative role. Eligible cores must be professionally managed by dedicated personnel, serve a substantial user base and have established and approved and current (within the past three years) recharge rates for users. Evidence of strong financial stewardship and robust administrative oversight is required. Priority will be given to research cores not currently supported by central funding.
Awardees will be expected to submit status reports at the end of the award period and at 1-year post-award. The awards are for FY2026 and/or FY2027 only and do not imply any continuing commitment.
Applicants are required to submit a letter of intent to apply by March 31, 2026 through completion of a short Google form [RCCI Intent 2026].The letter of intent to apply is required but non-binding: estimates for the type and extent of support can change for the full application. The letter of intent information will be used to align school and college priorities.
The deadline for submission of the full RCCI application is Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5:00 pm PST. Only one application per core is allowed. Please contact Isabelle Girard ([email protected]), Director, Research Core Facilities Program, with questions.
INFO SESSION
Research Cores Facility Program (RCFP) will host informational office hours for interested applicants on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on March 18, April 1, and April 8 on Zoom (Meeting ID: 985 8245 2415 & Passcode: 434132).
Search a Comprehensive Funding Database (Pivot)
Pivot is the most comprehensive database of funding opportunities available. Create your own saved searches or review one of dozens of subject-specific lists of opportunities hand-picked by Office of Research staff. Access is free and available to everyone with a Kerberos login. Watch a Pivot Video Tutorial from UC Davis Administrators:
Curated Search of Grants in Pivot for Shared Facilities
NOTE: Make sure you are logged in to Pivot before clicking the link to core-curated searches. An alternative is to click on Advanced Search > go to the semantic search section and use the following keywords: core facilities, user facilities, equipment, instruments, shared facilities, instrumentation, and user core.
Core-Related Funding: Equipment, Instrumentation, Training Grants
The Office of Research Proposal Development Services team has developed resources for UC Davis researchers to prepare equipment and instrumentation grants such as those to the NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program, the NIH S10 Instrumentation Grant Programs, and the USDA-NIFA Equipment Grant Program. These resources include proposal checklists and suggested timelines, templates and samples of proposal sections, and information on best practices for developing these proposals. Many federal agencies offer specific funding opportunities to support the acquisition or development of instrumentation or equipment.
To learn more information on key funding opportunities, proposal development strategies, and best practices for equipment instrumentation grants, explore the resources below:
For more information, go to Proposal Development: Resources for Non-Research Grants: Equipment and Instrumentation Grants
View Equipment and Instrumentation Grants
Research Cores Continuity Funding
[FY2025 & FY2024]
Website section updated on December 17, 2024
The Research Cores Continuity funding program’s primary goal is to maintain critical services that cores offer to researchers by supporting the operations and instrumentation in high-performing cores. Eligible units include any organized shared research facility or resource that provides access to technologies, equipment, services, and expert consultation to enable, facilitate, and enhance the research mission of the university.
Applications are now closed and was previously accepted through the InfoReady site. Submissions were due by September 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM PST and decisions were announced on December 11, 2024.
This Year’s Funding: Research Cores Continuity Awardees (FY2025)
The FY2025 Research Cores Continuity funding program is supported by an investment of $500,000 from the Office of Research. These exceptional research cores demonstrated their commitment in advancing the university’s research mission, and the Office of Research is honored to provide one-time funds to support their operations. The Office of Research appreciates all applicants for their commitment to advancing research at UC Davis. Learn more about the awardees and the FY2025 Research Cores Continuity funding program’s impact–
FY2025 Research Cores Continuity Awardees
Last Year’s Funding: Research Cores Continuity Awardees (FY2024)
The FY2024 Research Cores Continuity funding program is supported by an investment of $500,000 from the Office of Research. These exceptional research cores demonstrated their commitment in advancing the university’s research mission, and the Office of Research is honored to provide one-time funds to support their operations. The Office of Research appreciates all applicants for their commitment to advancing research at UC Davis. Learn more about the awardees and the FY2024 Research Cores Continuity funding program’s impact–
FY2024 Research Cores Continuity Awardees
Archive: Research Cores Continuity Funding (Round 2) Information
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