Bridge Funding Program

About this opportunity

Campus:

University-wide

Contact:

Alicia Gahimer,ord@iu.edu

Deadline:

open through June 5, 2026 with quarterly reviews

Award cycle:

FY2025-26

Funding available:

Maximum amount: $50,000 Grant plus 50% match

The Bridge Grant program provides support for externally funded investigators who have lost extramural funding in the past twelve months or will lose their extramural funding within six months of the application submission. These funds provide temporary support to retain key personnel and maintain project momentum until funding can be secured again from external sources. 

Eligibility

  • All full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty
  • Clinical faculty
  • Research scientists and research center directors
  • Lecturers, visiting faculty, postdocs, residents, and emeritus faculty are not eligible

Funding and proposal requirements

  • Project funding may not exceed $75,000 ($50,000 Bridge Grant, $25,000 school/department 50% match).
  • Projects will be limited to one (1) year in duration.
  • Applications for a second Bridge Grant for the same project or research will not be accepted.
  • Non-IU consultants and IU collaborators are not allowable expenses.
  • IU statisticians, project/lab staff, postdocs, and students are allowable expenses.
  • Investigator salary is not supported through this mechanism except for faculty on a 10-month appointment who can request up to one month of support.
  • Travel expenses are not allowed unless it is necessary for completion of the proposed work.
  • Conference attendance, presentations, and publication costs are not allowable expenses.
  • Course release is not an allowable expense.
  • Proposals focused on the development of teaching or academic programs are not eligible.
  • Priority will be given to applicants with little to no remaining start-up funds.
  • Letters of support from the Department Chair or Associate Dean for Research, consultants and collaborators are required.
  • Letters of support from each entity providing a match verifying the match amount is required.
  • If awarded, no funds will be transferred without applicable IRB, IACUC, IBC or Research Security/Export Control approvals.

Submission and review of applications

  • Submissions are accepted continually until June 5, 2026 based on the availability of funding.
  • Download the supporting documents from the Details section.
  • Follow the Guidelines and Instructions for content and page limits.
  • Use the application form provided or your application will be returned!
  • Review deadlines are scheduled quarterly: September 5, December 5, March 6, and June 5. Example: applications received September 6 through December 5 will be reviewed in December.
  • Submit your application form and attachments as one PDF document through the InfoReady portal.
  • Allow at least 4 weeks to receive the funding decision notification.


    Questions should be directed to Alicia Gahimer at ord@iu.edu.