The University of Alabama Industry Engagement Support Program (IES) serves as a critical mechanism to elevate UA’s position as a national leader in research excellence and scholarly impact by fostering direct synergy with for-profit sectors. As a complementary opportunity to the UA FUSE Fund (Fostering University-Industry Synergistic Endeavors), this program is designed to transform institutional capital into a catalyst for global innovation through targeted industry-focused workshops, conferences, site visits, and engagement activities.The IES specifically targets activities that:
- Expand the university’s reach by driving convergence and innovation across all academic and industry borders.
- Network with for-profit companies and industry leaders to foster mutually beneficial research and creative activity partnerships.
- Generate preliminary ideas and collaborative networks that position faculty to secure long-term external funding and sponsored research agreements.
- Amplify influence by establishing partnerships with industry leaders.
- Galvanize new sponsored project opportunities by providing financial support for UA faculty to engage directly with for-profit companies.
- Engage graduate and postdoctoral researchers strategically in the professional life of their disciplines and industry-facing activities
As such, the IES Program is a strategic initiative designed to elevate UA’s national research standing by fostering high-impact partnerships with for-profit sectors. By providing financial support for targeted industry interactions, the program aims to catalyze collaborative networks, secure long-term external funding, and provide transformative professionalization opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral researchers.
Due Date: Before 5:00 pm Central on July 31, 2026, through the UA InfoReady Site.
Award Information and Eligibility
Opportunity: The program provides financial support for UA faculty to engage directly with industry partners to lay the groundwork for future collaborative research such as sponsored research agreements with industry or joint external funding proposals (e.g., NSF, DoD, DOE, NIH, etc.).
Project Cost and Award Tiers: Funding is provided based on the scope and type of request:
- Hosting Company Visits: Up to $1,000 for research showcases on campus.
- Travel to Partner Sites: Up to $3,000 to discuss collaborative opportunities.
- Conference Attendance: Up to $5,000 for technical or industry association meetings with significant industry participation.
- Consortium Kick-Off Meetings: Up to $5,000 to align multiple industry and other partners for discussions and support for pre-competitive efforts.
- Workshops at UA: Up to $15,000 for organizing industry-focused workshops.
Eligibility: Regular, full-time UA employees authorized to serve as Principal Investigators (PI) are eligible. Priority is given to faculty who do not currently have active industry-sponsored projects or are seeking new collaborations. Faculty with equity or financial interest in a for-profit company are not eligible to apply for engagement with that company. Funds may not be used for faculty salary. All expenditures must comply with UA procurement and travel policies.
Timeline and Key Dates
To ensure funding is synchronized with the academic calendar and provides faculty with predictable planning cycles, the IES operates on recurring submission window every four (4) months:
Applications must be submitted through the UA InfoReady site.
Notifications: Notification of funding decisions will be sent by email.
Submission Window Dates:
- March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026, for engagement occurring May – August.
- July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026, for engagement occurring September – December.
- November 1, 2026 – November 31, 2026, for engagement occurring January – April.
Decisions Announced:
- April 10, 2026 (for March window)
- August 14, 2026 (for July window)
- December 11, 2026 (for November window)
Proposal Requirements
Format: 8.5” x 11”; single spaced; size 11 Times New Roman font; one-inch margins on all sides. Proposals are strictly limited to a 3-page maximum (excluding biosketches and supplemental travel documents).
| Component | Page Limit | Specific Requirements |
| Abstract | 0.5 Pages | In 250 words or less, provide an overview of the proposed activity.Please note, this abstract may be shared publicly on the Division for Research website upon award. |
| Project Scope | 2 Pages | Description of activity (visit, workshop, etc.), use of funds, and timeline.Short- and long-term goals; how this fits the applicant’s research trajectory Anticipated impact on UA-industry partnerships, future sponsored research, and student involvement. 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.Describe how the proposed activity aligns with the UA Division for Research’s 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 | 0.5 Pages | Itemized table of projected expenses (personnel, travel for guests, and materials) with narrative justification. Include any planned conference registration fees in the budget, and factor this anticipated revenue (based on the number of projected attendees) into the total budget and request Includes documentation of previously secured funds in calculation |
| Prior Internal Support | 1 Page (does not count towards 3-page limit) | If the Lead PI or any Co-PIs have received internal funding from the Division for Research within the last three fiscal years, a summary of that support must be provided. This section is intended to demonstrate the “return on investment” and the PI’s ability to transition internal capital into external success. This section is strictly limited to one (1) page total, regardless of the number of PIs. Individual Reporting: In applications involving multiple PIs, each researcher must individually discuss their respective prior internal support. Content: For each funded project, the researcher(s) should outline: The specific internal program and award amount.The current status of the project.Key outcomes, including external grant submissions, industry partnerships established, or intellectual property disclosures. If there is no prior internal support: Please note accordingly.Describe one relevant external funding example as an alternative. |
| Additional documents | N/A | 2-page biosketches for PI and Co-PIs.For travel-related activities: (draft) agenda or program materials (if available). |
Regulatory Compliance & Purchasing Guidelines
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, visit the Purchasing website.
Evaluation Framework and Scoring Rubric
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.
- Potential for Sponsored Research (30%): Likelihood of generating new sponsored collaborations.
- Feasibility and Stewardship (20%): Clarity of the activity and appropriateness of the budget.
- Strategic Alignment (20%): Relevance to industry needs and UA’s core research strengths.
- Impact Sustainability (20%): Likelihood of securing follow-on external funding (NSF, DoD, DOE, industry, SBIR/STTR, etc.).
- Student Engagement (10%): Involvement of students or junior researchers in industry-relevant skills.
Post-Event Accountability and Reporting
Within 30 days of the award’s end, the PI must submit a final report describing outcomes, next steps, and potential sponsored project opportunities. Awardees may also be invited to present outcomes at a UA Research & Industry Engagement Showcase.
Reimbursement
Travel reservations should be scheduled in accordance with department/college/unit procedures and must comply with UA travel policies and procedures.
Acknowledgements
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 Industry Engagement Support programand the Division for Research.”