Funding Opportunities: College, University, and System 

College Level

CEDC Strategic Initiatives Seed Fund 

The college has set aside discretionary funds to provide seed support for new ideas that innovatively contribute to the goals of our strategic plan in any way. Full-time faculty and staff may submit a proposal at any time. It should include a (maximum) one-page description of: the idea, how it contributes to our strategic plan, how it would be sustained (programmatically and in terms of resources) if applicable, how success would be assessed and communicated, and a brief budget. Proposals that leverage EDC funds to obtain extramural support are particularly welcome. The total amount requested should not exceed $6K, and a minimum 1:1 matching from departments or programs is required for any effort that is limited to a specific department or program. Recipients of department specific efforts will be expected to communicate the results of their initiative across the college to promote diffusion of good ideas more broadly. Cross-college efforts do not require matching. Proposals should be submitted to the Dean, with a copy submitted to the college administrator. Approximately $30,000 will be budgeted annually by the Dean for these funds. 

University Level 

ORS Funding Opportunities

The Office of Research Services (ORS) has discretionary funding to encourage and support creative activities on the downtown campus. The funds are to increase faculty productivity and to enhance CU Denver’s reputation. Three opportunities are specific to travel, publications, and new faculty; the other two are for requests up to $5,000 or up to $25,000. Evidence of funding matches from primary units, schools/colleges, or other sources are required to apply. 

Center for Faculty Development Young Upwardly Mobile Professor (YUMPS) Grants   

Young Upwardly Mobile Professors (YUMPs) grants provide support to tenure-track faculty at the University of Colorado Denver for activities that advance them toward tenure. Funded activities can include: attending professional conferences, hiring a research assistant, or buying books/software. The funding limit is $500/year, and evidence of matching funds from the faculty member’s school/department is required. 

Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning Arts Grants 

Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) Teaching Enhancement Grants support projects that seek to develop innovations in teaching or enhance a faculty member's pedagogical practice.  Funded activities include: attending or presenting at a teaching/learning conference, workshop, or short-course (non-credit), inviting an outside expert to give a lecture or workshop related to teaching/learning, hiring a research assistant for a teaching/learning project, materials costs related to teaching, course development focused on funding priorities (course development payable as PD funds only). All full-time downtown campus faculty members (tenure track or non-tenure track) are welcome to apply. The funding limit is $3,000. 

Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) Funding Opportunities 

Each year, the CCTSI awards more than $2 million in pilot grants, microgrants, and pre-doctoral and post-doctoral research scholar awards. Pilot grants provide one-year pilot awards to encourage cross-disciplinary and collaborative research in clinical and translational science. Microgrants can be used by junior investigators to purchase CTRC services for research protocols conducted at University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and the Perinatal CTRC. KL2 career development grants to junior faculty and TL2 fellowships to pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees are available. 

CU System Level 

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Grants 

Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Grants fund innovative projects that promote diversity and inclusive excellence throughout the University of Colorado. Proposals can be submitted by faculty or staff; funding requests are restricted to a maximum of $3,000.