Description

The Office of Research Development (ORD) is committed to supporting faculty in their research, scholarship and creative inquiries. These inquiries can include knowledge making in any area, including creative endeavors, pedagogy, and inclusive excellence. The UML Researchers and Scholars Investment (RSI) Fund supports faculty in their professional trajectory, providing opportunities to test new ideas, implement initiatives, and strengthen their skills and craft. These funds are meant to provide immediate assistance for short-term projects and goals that will provide great benefit to the scholar, their team and the university.

As of April 2026, the RSI Fund is no longer prioritizing funding for applicants whose research activities have been disrupted by federal funding cuts. All eligible applicants, regardless of whether they have been affected by a terminated federal grant, are now encouraged to apply.

Examples of appropriate use of funds include:

  • Research activities such as data analysis, sample archiving, or manuscript publication costs
  • Hourly wages for a currently enrolled graduate student
  • Collecting preliminary data
  • Subscription to a digital tool or resource
  • Hiring an editor for a new book
  • Purchasing supplies for an art installation
  • Support for student travel to a conference with the project lead to present collaborative work

The list above is not exhaustive and applicants may request funding for activities as long as they demonstrate the direct benefit of the project to the individual researcher/scholar and the university. Students can be supported, but the research project must advance the work of the applicant. Priority for funding is given to projects that directly support the UMass Lowell (UML) 2028 Strategic Plan.

Anticipated Funding Amount

The Office of Development intends to fund up to four (4) additional RSI Fund awards in FY26 for up to $5,000 per project.

Application Timeline

Applications will be accepted through the UML Researchers and Scholars Investment Fund InfoReady competition until May 1, 2026. Funded projects will commence in June 2026.

On the UML Researchers and Scholars Investment Fund InfoReady competition, you may download the full solicitation under “Supporting Documents.” Please review the solicitation thoroughly for eligibility, guidelines and proposal requirements.

Eligibility

  • UML tenured, tenure-track, and emerit faculty are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must demonstrate that they have no other available source of funding including startup funds, research investment funds (RIF), etc. If you have funds earmarked for other activities, you may still apply for the RSI Fund. However, you must clearly show how each pool of funds will be used in the budget section of the application.
  • Lead principal investigators (PIs) can only hold one award sponsored by the Office of Research Development at a time. An exception will be made for PIs seeking bridge funding to continue research from a disrupted federal grant; we may award funding even if the PI currently holds an ORD-sponsored award.
  • PIs may only apply for awards with project periods that do not overlap with the project period of their current award (exception granted for those applying for bridge funding to continue research from a disrupted federal grant). Applicants may only submit as lead PI on one application for any award sponsored by the Office of Research Development per fiscal year. If multiple applications are received from the same lead PI applicant in the same fiscal year, only the first submission will be considered for funding.

Guidelines

  • Review the guidelines for all ORD-sponsored funding
  • Funds are awarded for a one-year period.
  • No extensions will be granted on RSI awards.
  • Funds must not be used for summer salary or other additional compensation for faculty.
  • Funds must not be used to fund Research Assistants/tuition waivers (funds may support student hourly wages).

Deliverables

  • Awardees are required to submit a final report outlining activities and outcomes. Instructions for the report will be provided near the end of the award period.
  • Awardees must serve as a reviewer for at least one future cycle of ORD applications, if asked.
  • Awardees must present a lightning talk about their project at the annual Faculty Symposium following the end of their award period.