Internal Funding Opportunities

University-wide funding opportunities

Bridge Grant

The Bridge Grant program provides support for externally funded investigators whose project has not been renewed or is between grant cycles and who requires temporary support to retain key personnel and maintain project momentum until funding can be secured again from external sources. This program requires a 70/30% match.

Deadline: Open deadline through June 1, 2025

Maximum amount: $100,000 including 30% match


Eastman Residency for the Arts and Humanities

Supports IU faculty working on arts and humanities research and creative activity by providing residencies from one to three weeks on the IU-owned Eastman property on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

Deadline: February 16, 2024

Residency of one to three weeks, $500 travel stipend.


Enhanced Mentoring Program with Opportunities for Ways to Excel in Research (EMPOWER)

The goal of Enhanced Mentoring Program with Opportunities for Ways to Excel in Research (EMPOWER) is to help junior faculty members improve grantsmanship skills to become productive, externally funded researchers. To this end, EMPOWER provides support to faculty from historically underrepresented groups on all IU campuses to increase success in externally sponsored research and scholarly activity. Applicants must identify a willing mentor with proven success in garnering external funding for research and/or creative activity. Based on the availability of funds, IU expects to make 42 awards annually across IU.

Deadline: August 20, 2024

Funding varies by category


External Resubmission Grant

The External Resubmission Grant program supports new research projects that were previously submitted for, but did not receive, external funding, and whose likelihood of funding on resubmission would increase with the acquisition of additional data or proof of concept.

Deadline: Open deadline through June 1, 2025

Maximum amount: $50,000


IU 2030 Emerging Frontiers Grant

The IU 2030 Emerging Frontiers Grant program is a new initiative designed to support the formation of high-caliber, interdisciplinary research teams within IU. These teams are expected to develop bold and innovative research or creative projects capable of competing for substantial external funding (at least $1 million per project) from federal agencies or other external sources. The long-term goal of the Emerging Frontiers Grant program is to help build the pipeline for large-scale, team-based projects over $5 million per project to align with the IU 2030 Strategic Plan goal of doubling $5 million externally-funded projects by 2030.

Deadline: November 1, 2024

Maximum amount: $50,000


IU Presidential Arts and Humanities Program

Supports path-breaking work in arts and humanities areas. Funding is available through four programs.

Deadline: See specific programs.

Funding varies


Public Arts and Humanities Project

Funds new projects that benefit the community and state at large through partnership and collaboration with civic or other community organizations.

Deadline: Rolling through May 1, 2025, or until funds are exhausted

Maximum amount: $25,000


Research Conference Grant

The Research Conference Grant program purpose is to convene scholars from other institutions around the country and the world with IU faculty and students to explore novel ideas and initiatives, expand scholarly networks, and build new research and creative activity partnerships. Preference will be given to proposed conferences that are interdisciplinary and/or advance innovative ideas and themes within areas of research or creative activity consistent with the goals and objectives of the IU 2030 Strategic Plan.

Deadline: Open deadline through June 1, 2025

Maximum amount: $22,500 ($15,000 Grant; $7,500 match support)


Research Equipment Fund

The Research Equipment Fund (REF) provides support for purchasing new research or creative activity equipment, for repairing or upgrading existing equipment, and for datasets at IU university-wide that are strategically necessary to support high-quality research, attract and retain research faculty, and generate external funding. The Research Equipment Fund (REF) provides support for purchasing new research or creative activity equipment, for repairing or upgrading existing equipment, and for datasets at IU university-wide that are strategically necessary to support high-quality research, attract and retain research faculty, and generate external funding. All requests to IU Research should be more than $5K (after the required cost-share is secured). There is no maximum request. There is no specified annual limit of funds available for this program. Funds will be allocated as available and consistent with the requirements of this program. This program requires matching funds.

Deadline: Open deadline through June 1, 2025

There is no maximum request.


Research Micro Grant

The Research Micro Grant program provides funding for small research projects, research expenses, book publishing, and other research related items in support of faculty research and creative activities that are sustainable through external funding.

Deadline: Open deadline through June 1, 2025

Maximum amount: $3,000


Seed Grant

The Seed Grant program supports new, innovative research or creative activity projects that are sustainable through external funding. Seed Grant awardees are required to submit proposals for external funding based on their Seed Grant awarded research project within three years of the award letter date.

Deadline: October 1, 2024; April 1, 2025

Maximum amount: $50,000