Bridge Funding

Purpose

To sustain research projects that have lost extramural funding, the Office of Research Bridge Funding Program provides one-time support to eligible Principal Investigators (PI) to assist with re-establishing external funding. Bridge Funding support is intended only for those PIs who have experienced a significant reduction from extramural sources. The primary objective of the Bridge Funding Program is to keep experienced research teams together while funding is re-established.

Key Dates

Applications are considered four times per year. They must be received by 5:00pm on the first of November, February, April, and August. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted on the next business day.

Eligibility

A PI is eligible for Bridge funding, provided they:

• Are a member of the Academic Senate.
• Have lost, or will lose most of their extramural funding within six months of the Bridge application deadline;
• Have received continuous extramural funding from peer-reviewed sources in support of the project or relevant line of independent research during the five years preceding the request.
• Have made substantial efforts to re-establish funding, and
• In the opinion of the Dean, are likely to be funded again.

Award Amount and Considerations

• Awards will not exceed $50,000 and will be granted for a maximum of one year or until the grantee re-establishes funding from other sources, whichever comes first. When extramural funding is re-established, all unspent funds must be returned to the Bridge Funding Program to assist other investigators.
• A cost-sharing commitment toward the requested Bridge Funding project budget by the School or the Department is required. The cost-sharing commitment from all eligible contributing sources should target 40% of the Office of Research commitment. For example, a bridge funding budget may include a request for $50,000 (maximum bridge award) + $20,000 (40% cost-sharing) for a total budget of $70,000. Allowable cost-sharing commitments may include cash or graduate student support (GSR) block funds. Additional support in the form of TAships, faculty summer salary, teaching release, and in-kind support can be included, but will not count towards the 40%. A justification or explanation for commitments less than 40% should be provided as applicable.
• Awards are subject to resource availability, and all applications may not be funded. Consideration will be given to need, the Dean's assessment, and the strength of the overall research program. Priority will be given when project personnel will be lost without a temporary infusion of funds.

Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered for approval by the Vice Chancellor for Research on a case-by-case basis. Examples may include exceptions to the standing deadlines, eligibility criteria, or other special circumstances. Please describe any requested exceptions with an appropriate justification in your application.