The University of Alabama is pleased to announce the Industry Engagement Support Program, a complementary opportunity to the UA FUSE Fund (Fostering University-Industry Synergistic Endeavors). This program is designed to catalyze new sponsored project opportunities by providing financial support for UA faculty to engage directly with for-profit companies through targeted industry-focused workshops, conferences, site visits, and other engagement activities.
The goal is to expand UA’s partnerships with industry, align research capabilities with industry priorities, and lay the groundwork for future collaborative research funding and commercialization pathways.
Funding and Requirements
- Awards of between $1,000-$15,000 depending on scope and type of request will be provided to support industry-facing engagement activities.
- Funds may be used for:
- Hosting company visits or research showcases on campus (up to $1,000)
- Travel to industry partner sites to discuss collaborative opportunities (up to $3,000)
- Attending technical conferences or industry association meetings where significant industry participation is expected (up to $5,000)
- Organizing or hosting industry-focused workshops at UA (up to $15,000)
- The ultimate objective is to position UA faculty for sponsored research agreements with industry or joint external funding proposals (e.g., NSF, DoD, DOE, NIH, etc.).
Funds may not be used for faculty salary. All expenditures must comply with UA procurement and travel policies.
Eligibility
- UA applicants must be regular, full-time employees authorized to serve as PI.
- Priority will be given to faculty who:
- Do not currently have active industry-sponsored projects, and/or
- Are seeking to develop new collaborations with industry partners.
- Faculty with equity or financial interest in a for-profit company are not eligible to apply.
Proposal Requirements (3 pages maximum)
Proposals should be written clearly for a general audience and include:
- Abstract (250 words or less): Overview of the proposed activity.
- Background & Objectives: Short- and long-term goals for engaging industry partners; how this activity fits into the applicant’s research trajectory.
- Project Scope: Description of the proposed activity (workshop, conference, visit, etc.), use of funds, expected outcomes, and timeline.
- Potential Impact: Anticipated impact on UA–industry partnerships, potential for future sponsored research, student involvement, and alignment with UA strategic priorities.
- Other Support and Funding Strategy: Describe any additional sources of support being solicited or already secured for this project (e.g., internal funds, federal grants, foundation support, or other industry contributions). Outline your strategy for capturing follow-on or complementary funding and explain how this seed/engagement award will position the team to be competitive for those resources.
- Strategic Alignment: Describe how the proposed activity aligns with UA’s Office for Research & Economic Development (ORED) Strategic Plan, the broader University Strategic Plan, and UA’s institutional strengths or growth opportunities. Clearly articulate:
- Why this activity, why now?
- Why this industry partner(s)?
- How this activity advances UA’s role in regional and national innovation, commercialization, and workforce development.
- Budget & Justification: Provide a table of projected expenses with narrative justification.
Additional Documents:
- 2-page biosketches for PI and Co-PIs.
- For travel-related activities: (draft) agenda or program materials (if available).
Submission
Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF to assist@ua.edu.
Deadlines
The program will run throughout the year. Submission window dates: August 26, 2025 – October 31, 2025; January 1, 2026 – January 31, 2026; April 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026; July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
Review Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:
- Potential to generate new sponsored research collaborations with industry.
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposed activity.
- Relevance to industry needs and UA’s research strengths.
- Likelihood of follow-on funding opportunities.
- Engagement of students or junior researchers (if applicable).
Deliverables
- Awardees must submit a final report within 30 days of the award’s end, describing outcomes, next steps, and potential sponsored project opportunities.
- Faculty may also be invited to present outcomes at a UA Research & Industry Engagement Showcase.
Compliance
All necessary compliance approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, export control) must be secured prior to the use of funds, where applicable.