Strategic Initiatives Programs, Activities, and Services: Frequently Asked Questions
Catalyzing Research | Funding Opportunities | Collaborations & Partnerships | Strategic Intelligence & Analysis
Catalyzing Research
Q: Do you support ____ research area?
Yes! The Office of Research has resources available for all disciplines, Schools, and Colleges.
Find research support resources
Visit the Research Development Toolbox (CAS login required)
Q: What is Research Development?
Research development comprises strategic, proactive, capacity-building activities facilitating research advancement and development of resources to increase researcher competitiveness across all career stages. Read more from the National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) >
Q: I’m interested in further developing campus activity for a timely, strategic, or cutting-edge interdisciplinary research topic.
The Interdisciplinary Research Catalyst: Conversations series supports a bespoke workshop and assistance from the SIRF team in identifying funding opportunities and activity development. Contact us to discuss whether this is an appropriate mechanism of support.
Q: I have an idea for a Team Research Forum.
Great! Contact us to discuss how to partner with the Office of Research to host a Team Research Forum.
Q: Are you accepting proposals for new Research Working Groups?
The Research Working Group initiative is currently on hold due to limited staff bandwidth. We anticipate a status update at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year. Please feel free to request a consultation and our team may be able to provide or direct you to other resources for support and development.
Q: What resources are available for early career researchers?
The Office of Research offers multiple resources on finding funding, training and events, and grant writing for early career researchers.
Find resources for early career researchers
Funding Opportunities
Q: How do I find funding?
New (or not) to UC Davis and not sure where to get started navigating the research funding landscape? Visit our funding opportunity resources for more information on databases and weekly funding newsletters.
Search for internal UC Davis funding opportunities and Limited Submissions (CAS login required).
- What is a campus Limited Submission?
- UC Davis programs, centers, & units offer a variety of funding opportunities to our investigators throughout the year. Visit InfoReady Review and browse the Campus Administered Programs section.
- For graduate student funding, contact our colleagues in the Office of Graduate Studies.
- Undergraduate students should visit the Undergraduate Research Center for advising, information, and online resources.
- For research-related or conference travel, the Academic Senate offers a travel grant program each fiscal year.
Q: I’m interested in pursuing a large interdisciplinary research proposal.
We offer the Interdisciplinary Research Catalyst: Faculty Fellows program, which supports faculty who have been nominated by a sponsoring Dean(s) with matched funding to provide resources enabling proposal preparation. Contact us to discuss whether this is an appropriate mechanism of support.
Q: Where can I find help preparing an extramural research proposal?
For assistance with proposal development and preparation, including checklists, templates, and editorial services, contact Proposal Development Services.
Find resources for proposal preparation
Visit the Research Development Toolbox (CAS login required)
Q: I need help submitting an extramural research proposal.
Questions regarding proposal review and submission should be directed to our Sponsored Programs Office. Learn more about proposal review and submission >
Q: My project doesn’t align with the IRC: Conversations or Faculty Fellows program.
The UC Davis Academic Senate offers multiple grant programs to support research and scholarship at all scales. We also recommend getting in touch with your department chair or Dean’s office as they may have resources available on an individual basis.
Q: Can you help my unit run an internal funding competition?
We have a limited number of administrative seats available for the InfoReady Review platform. InfoReady Review offers a variety of options for soliciting letters of intent, progress reports, expressions of interest, and proposals. Contact us to see if it’s the right mechanism for your program.
Building Collaborations and Partnerships
Q: How do I find collaborators on campus?
With several thousand faculty and researchers working in many disciplines across UC Davis, it can be difficult to identify individuals with specific expertise. Follow the links below to search for people, equipment, and resources.
Search for researcher expertise
Search for core facilities / shared resource facilities
Q: How do I find collaborators off campus?
We maintain active partnerships with several National Laboratories, local and regional entities, and other institutes of higher education, and can direct you to available consortia resources. Learn more about partnerships and engagement >
Q: I’m interested in engaging with particular industry or philanthropic partners.
Please contact our colleagues in the Office of Foundation and Corporate Engagement.
Q: I’m interested in collaborating with colleagues at an international institution. Can you help?
International collaborations are an important part of the UCD research landscape. SIRF champions multiple ongoing strategic international engagements (read more here) and visit the Office of Global Affairs to learn more about the campus global strategy, active international agreements, and resources available to faculty and students.
Strategic Intelligence and Analysis
Bibliometric (SciVal/Scopus) and funding data analysis and reporting services in development
Can’t find what you’re looking for? The SIRF team has 20+ years of institutional knowledge spanning existing campus networks, initiatives, and opportunities, and we’re happy to assist. Email us at [email protected].
