Faculty Pilot Grant Request for Proposals (RFP)

Proposal Submission Due Date: August 31, 2025 (11:59 PM, Arizona time)

See Full RFP and Submission Details Here

Purpose and Research Objectives 
The Department of Psychology invites proposals for pilot research projects designed to generate essential preliminary data in support of new applications for externally funded federal grants (e.g., NIH, NSF, DoD, DARPA, DOJ). The overarching aim of this mechanism is to facilitate competitive submissions within 18 months of the pilot award’s start date. 

Funding Mechanism
One award of up to $10,000 in direct costs will be made available for a one-year funding period. Funds must be used to support data collection activities critical to the development of a competitive external grant application.

Eligibility & Application Criteria
All full-time Psychology Department faculty members, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply.
• Post-doctoral fellows and graduate students are not eligible for this funding mechanism.
• Requested budgets may not exceed $10,000.
• Funds may not be used for faculty salary or course buyouts.
• Faculty are strongly discouraged from submitting multiple proposals as PI or Co-PI in the same funding cycle. However, serving as a Co-Investigator on additional applications may be permitted, provided the research aims are clearly distinct.
• Applicants are encouraged to seek and incorporate feedback from the Psychology Research Committee prior to submitting the subsequent federal grant application.
• At least 75% of the indirect costs from any resulting federal grant must return to the Psychology Department.
• Proposals that promote collaborative research among Psychology Department faculty are especially encouraged.

Submit your Proposal:

Combine all application materials into a single PDF document. Name the file using the following format: [PI Last Name][Faculty Pilot Grant Award][Submission Date].pdf. Upload the combined PDF below no later than 11:59 PM (Arizona time) on August 31, 2025.