While the federal research landscape continues to support a diverse array of programs, there is ample opportunity for The University of Alabama to significantly expand its research activity by aggressively pursuing large-scale, multi-disciplinary center-level awards. Success in these complex arenas demands more than technical excellence; it requires deep institutional integration, a unified vision, and rigorous long-term planning.
The Stimulating Partnerships to Accelerate Research Collaboration (SPARC) program is architected to provide the necessary framework for UA teams to navigate these requirements and successfully capture center-level awards.
SPARC provides faculty teams with the strategic “runway” necessary to develop proposals that are not merely competitive, but nationally prominent. By aligning internal investments with the University’s signature research institutes and the federal government’s most urgent scientific priorities, SPARC ensures that UA investigators are positioned to lead the industries of the future.
The primary mission of SPARC is to catalyze the formation of interdisciplinary “nuclei” (teams of up to four senior investigators) targeting complex, high-value opportunities with an anticipated external value of ≥ $3,000,000. This program is UA’s premier vehicle for fostering convergence research, integrating knowledge across the physical, life, social sciences, arts, and humanities to address the world’s most pressing societal challenges.
For questions or more information, please contact assist@ua.edu.
Timeline and Key Dates
- Proposal Due Date: Before 5:00 pm Central on May 6, 2026
- Accommodations for late and/or incomplete proposals are not available.
- Proposal Review Period: May 6–May 13, 2026
- Zoom invitations sent: May 13- May 15, 2026
- Zoom presentations: May 18-May 27, 2026
- Decisions Announced: May 29, 2026
- Period of Performance: Six (6) months beginning on August 17, 2026, with potential for renewal
Award Information
Eligibility
- Any regular, full-time UA faculty or staff member who is authorized to submit a proposal as the Principal Investigator (PI) to a federal funding agency is eligible to apply.
- The SPARC Program will support teams composed of up to four senior investigators to target a specific anticipated funding opportunity.
- No person may serve as the lead PI on more than one SPARC application per cycle, and no person may serve as PI or co-PI on more than two applications per cycle.
Opportunity
For FY27, the Program is open to any targeted funding call with an anticipated submission after October 2027. Interdisciplinary collaboration between colleges is not a requirement, but reviewers consider interdisciplinary collaboration positively. Existing institutes and centers are eligible to apply. The Division for Research anticipates awarding up to three (3) awards.
Note: All external proposals resulting from SPARC-funded projects must be reviewed, approved, and submitted through the Office for Sponsored Programs in accordance with University policies and sponsor requirements. OSP serves as the University’s authorized office for submission of external grant and contract proposals. Investigators are responsible for coordinating external sponsor deadlines with OSP and must comply with all applicable internal routing and review deadlines. Participation in SPARC does not modify or waive OSP’s standard proposal review timelines for external submissions.
Total Project Cost
The ceiling on funding for each team is $100,000 per six months, renewable with appropriate progress. The Division for Research anticipates that a significant fraction of this funding will support graduate student researchers, travel, and team-building activities.
Team Composition
There are no requirements regarding the specified composition of the core team; however, applicants must demonstrate that their team has appropriate personnel to address the funding solicitation requirements.
Proposal Information
Priority Areas
SPARC proposals should consider mapping their activities to the fiscal year 2026-2027 administration budget priorities and the cross-cutting actions outlined in the September 2025 White House memorandum. The 2026 SPARC call has identified several overarching priorities but will consider all meritorious project proposals: critical minerals extraction/refinement; materials in extreme environments; advanced manufacturing; quantum and emerging technologies; AI and cybersecurity convergence; AI and autonomous discovery; biotechnology; and "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) focused initiatives.
Proposal Requirements
| Component | Limit | Requirements |
| Abstract | 0.5 Pages | Describe the project’s broad significance, proposed activities, and intended outcomes. |
| Project Narrative | 2 Pages | Provide a descriptive narrative enabling cognizant reviewers to evaluate the merits of the project using the following criteria (< 2 pages): Funding Opportunity and Overarching Vision. Please summarize the funding opportunity, how it fits with existing efforts of the team and The University of Alabama, and the overarching vision of how the team will execute on the proposal preparation process and eventual execution of the award.Core Team Description and Plans for Internal and External Partners. Please describe the strengths of the core team, and please provide a plan for how the team will engage internal and external partners. Commitments from external partners for the final proposal (e.g., subawards, MOUs, letters of collaboration) must be coordinated through OSP and ORTA to meet University and sponsor requirements.Why UA?: Differentiate the strengths of the team from other potential competitors from outside institutions. If the submission is to a long-standing program (e.g., the MRSEC Program), explain how this idea is distinct from existing centers or institutes across the countryImpact on Institutional Reputation: summarize the anticipated impact that this award would have on the institutional reputation. If possible, compare this award with similar efforts at peer institutions, especially those outside the SEC. Teams may include research methodology; however, remain mindful of the two-page limit. |
| Budget | 0.5 Pages | In no more than half a page, provide a simple description regarding the utilization of funds (e.g., personnel, supplies, and travel). This does not count against the narrative two-page limit. |
| References | 1 Page | References are strongly encouraged but not a requirement. |
| Additional Materials | 3 pages | Not included in page count. Biosketeches (3-page limit per UA investigator). |
| Prior Internal Support (Required) | 1 page | If the Lead PI or any Co-PIs have received internal seed 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. 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. Page Limit: This section is strictly limited to one (1) page total, regardless of the number of PIs. |
| Letter(s) of Support (Optional) | N/A | Supplementary Documents uploaded via InfoReady: To reduce administrative workload, letters of support are not a requirement for the application submission stage; however, The Division for Research strongly recommendsthat proposing investigators informally discuss their applications with their unit leaders and associate deans for research (ADRs) before submission. Applicant teams invited for oral discussions with the internal selection committee must provide documentation that the unit and college are supportive of their research teaming endeavors. |
| Institutional Approvals | N/A | Any proposed institutional commitments associated with the eventual external proposal (e.g., cost sharing, facilities, or other University resources) must be reviewed and approved through OSP and appropriate University leadership. SPARC participation does not constitute prior approval of institutional commitments. Cost sharing in external proposals is not permitted unless explicitly required by the sponsor and approved in advance. |
Budgetary Information
Within regulatory requirements, Division for Research intends to limit the restrictions placed on funding expenditures; however, the following are unallowable expenses:
- Salary or other support for external collaborators
- Subcontracts
- Tuition and Insurance for Graduate Research Assistants
- Items covered under indirect costs
Requests for summer salary must comply with University policies and procedures.
Stipends for student workers, both undergraduate and graduate, are allowable expenses. Only currently enrolled UA students are eligible.
Materials and supplies include expendable items with a useful life of less than one year or a unit cost under $10,000. (Subject to change per federal regulations.)
PIs must expend funds during the award year; carry-forward into the following year is not available (i.e., no-cost extensions are not 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.
Additional sponsor‑specific regulatory and compliance requirements may apply at the time of external proposal submission and award.
Evaluation Framework and Scoring Rubric
To ensure a meritocratic and strategic selection process, an interdisciplinary review panel will evaluate proposals using the ratings of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor or combinations thereof.
1. Intellectual Merit & Overarching Vision (20%)
- Does the proposal address a major research question or gap in the field?
- Is there a clear, high-level strategy for how the team will navigate the proposal preparation and eventual execution of the award?
- Does the project enable novel, transformative discovery?
2. Alignment with Future Funding Call (20%)
- How well do the proposed idea and team structure align with the specific requirements of the targeted external call (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOD)?
- Does the team identify a clear path to being "shortlisted" or highly competitive for that specific federal or private agency?
3. Team Strength & Impact of SPARC Funding (20%)
- Do the PIs possess the technical competence and collective experience to lead a major center or project?
- Is there a concrete plan to engage both UA-wide resources and strategic external partners?
- How will this specific SPARC investment "move the needle"? Is the internal funding a critical bridge to securing the larger award?
4. Institutional Reputation & Societal Impact (20%)
- Does the proposal differentiate UA’s strengths from national competitors? (e.g., How is this distinct from existing centers/institutes?)
- What is the anticipated impact on UA’s national standing, especially when compared to peer institutions outside the SEC?
- Does the project offer clear, broader impacts on society (economic, educational, or public policy)?
5. Feasibility, Resources, & Budget (20%)
- Does the project make efficient use of existing UA resources and infrastructure?
- Is the requested budget appropriate for the scope of work?
- Is the timeline for execution realistic, and is there a plan for long-term viability beyond the initial seed funding?
Proposals not chosen for funding will receive feedback.
Additional Requirements
Post-Award Management & Performance Milestones
The SPARC program is a high-engagement investment. To maximize the success of large-scale federal applications, the Division for Research will provide active oversight and project management support. Upon selection, each funded SPARC team will be assigned a Project Manager from the Integrated Venture Development team (IVD-PM). The Lead PI and the core team will meet with the IVD-PM every two weeks to ensure strategic alignment and maintain momentum toward the external proposal deadline. Teams will be required to deliver formal progress presentations to the Division for Research leadership during Month 2 and Month 4 of the award period. At the end of the fourth month, a comprehensive review will be conducted. Based on the team's progress toward the stated milestones, a decision will be made to either approve the remaining six months of funding or conclude the project.
The Division for Research reserves the right to revoke funding if it is determined that the project is not making appropriate progress or is no longer aligned with the strategic goals of the targeted federal call.
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 Stimulating Partnerships to Accelerate Research Collaboration (SPARC) programand the Division for Research.”
Summary
The SPARC program represents The University of Alabama’s commitment to achieving its vision as a globally recognized research epicenter and a catalyst for economic development. We are not simply funding projects; we are investing in the people and partnerships that will define the next generation of breakthroughs across research domains.
Selected SPARC teams will receive more than financial support; they will gain access to specialized project strategy, teaming, and proposal development services through the Division for Research Integrated Venture Development unit. This comprehensive support system is designed to transform ambitious ideas into high-impact, winning federal awards.
By bridging the gap between internal expertise and external opportunity, SPARC propels UA investigators to the forefront of the national research stage. We invite our faculty to think boldly, collaborate deeply, and lead the way in securing the university’s legacy of innovation and discovery.