Conference Support Program

Opportunity: The program provides co-funding to support the organization of scholarly meetings (1-3 days) that occur on the UA campus or within the state of Alabama. The Division for Research anticipates making up to two (2) awards per cycle, contingent on funding availability.

Project Cost and Matching Requirement: To ensure meaningful institutional commitment and financial sustainability, the Division for Research provides up to a 1:1 cash match.

• Maximum UA Request: $10,000.
• Matching Requirement: Applicants must secure at least 50% of the total anticipated conference expenses from other sources (e.g., departmental funds, college funds, industry sponsorships, or external grants).

Eligibility: Full-time tenured, tenure-track, and renewable contract faculty are eligible to serve as Principal Investigators (PI). Applicants may serve as PI on only one CSP award per two years to ensure a broad distribution of institutional support.

To provide faculty with predictable planning cycles, the CSP will transition to a quarterly review schedule. This allows for the timely evaluation of time-sensitive opportunities and ensures that funding is synchronized with the academic calendar.

This structure ensures that applications are received at least three to five months before the scheduled event, allowing organizers adequate time to finalize logistics and marketing upon receipt of the award.

Submit through the UA InfoReady Site

Format:  8.5” x 11”; single spaced; size 11 Times New Roman font; one-inch margins on all sides.

Projects requiring IRB, IACUC, or other regulatory compliance approvals for hazardous chemicals, international travel or export control concerns must secure approval prior to receiving funds.

All procurements of goods or services must comply with Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 41 of the Code of Alabama, University Purchasing Guidelines, Board Rule 406, and Board Rule 415. All procurements of goods or services for $75,000 or more that are subject to Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 41 of the Code of Alabama must be approved by the Purchasing Department and may be subject to the competitive bid process. For more information,

To ensure a meritocratic and strategic selection process, the Research leadership will evaluate proposals using the ratings of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor or combinations thereof.

1. Intellectual Merit and Transformative Potential (20%)

• Does the conference address a significant research question or gap in the field?
• Is the theme transformative and cross-disciplinary?
• Does the proposal highlight novel methodologies or interdisciplinary intersections that differentiate UA from national competitors?

2. Strategic Alignment and Institutional Reputation (20%)

• How well does the project align with the Division for Research’s strategic plan and UA’s signature research institutes?
• What is the anticipated impact on UA’s national standing, especially relative to peers outside the SEC?
• Does the event highlight UA’s core facilities or unique research infrastructure?

3. Student Engagement and Workforce Development (20%)

• Are student roles and training plans clearly detailed?
• Does the project provide students with direct exposure to industry-relevant skills and professional standards?
• Does the plan include innovative mechanisms for student-expert interaction (e.g., "meet the speaker" sessions or student-led panels)?

4. Future Funding and Impact Sustainability (25%)

• Does the PI identify specific external funding calls (federal, industry, or foundation) to be targeted as a result of the collaboration?
• Is there a viable pathway for subsequent joint publications, intellectual property, or licensing activity?
• Is the anticipated "return on investment" (in terms of future grant dollars) favorable?

5. Feasibility and Resource Stewardship (15%)

• Has the applicant secured necessary cash match that demonstrates unit or external partner commitment?
• Is the requested budget appropriate for the scope of work and is the timeline realistic?

No-cost extensions are strictly prohibited; unused or unmatched funds must be returned to the Division for Research.

Within three months of completion of the conference, the applicant researcher, or team, must submit (1) a copy of the final program, (2) a finalized cost detail with verification of cost match, and (3) a one-page summary report including a brief assessment of outcomes.

Outcomes can be measured across various factors: tangible output (grants, papers), intangible output (reputation, network strength), and research outcomes (societal or scientific impact). Potential outcomes include:

• Submission of a collaborative federal or private grant proposal involving at least two participants from the conference.
• A joint peer-reviewed publication or a special issue of a journal edited by the UA PI and conference collaborators.
• Evidence of an IP disclosure or industry partnership established as a result of the meeting.
• Registration fees and sponsorships.
• The estimated value of future federal proposals facilitated by the gathering.
• The cost-savings associated with student job placements and recruitment enabled by the event.
• Aligning university research with state and national needs, thereby improving public perception.
• Validating the institutional commitment to excellence through peer recognition.
• Magnetizing top-tier faculty and students who view the host institution as a marker of quality.

As an acknowledgement of this support, all users must include the following language in all published reports of work conducted or in conference informational materials: "[Part of] this research is financially supported by the Conference Support Program and the Division for Research.”