FUSE Fund

The University of Alabama is pleased to announce the Fostering University–Industry Synergistic Endeavor, or UA FUSE Fund, designed to catalyze new partnerships between UA faculty and industry collaborators. The UA FUSE Fund provides matching support for collaborative projects that align UA’s research strengths with industry priorities, advancing both fundamental inquiry and real-world impact. This initiative requires faculty to independently identify and engage an industry partner. Proposals must include a letter of commitment from the industry collaborator confirming their financial support, which will be matched up to $75,000 by UA if the project is awarded.

For questions or more information, please contact assist@ua.edu.

Program Purpose

The program provides matching funding to support innovative, high-impact projects that integrate UA’s academic research strengths with industry needs and market applications. Projects should demonstrate potential to:

• Generate preliminary data supporting future joint external funding proposals (e.g., federal agencies, foundations).
• Accelerate the path from discovery to commercialization.
• Provide meaningful experiential opportunities for students, preparing the next-generation workforce.
• Build and strengthen long-term, sustainable relationships between UA and industry partners.

Timeline and Key Dates

• Call for Proposals Opens: September 15, 2025
  • Accommodations for late and/or incomplete proposals are not available.
• Proposal Due Date: October 15, 2025 (Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.)
• Review Period: October 16–November 14, 2025
• Decisions Announced: November 21, 2025
• Period of Performance: January 1–December 31, 2026

Award Amounts

• Proposals must include an industry financial commitment to the project.
• Industry partners may contribute funds at any level.
• UA will provide a 1:1 match of up to $75,000 per project (i.e., maximum UA contribution is $75,000).
• Project budgets may exceed $150,000 depending on the industry contribution.

Multiple grants may be awarded each year, contingent on funding availability.

Benefits to Industry Partner

• Early access to UA’s research expertise, facilities, and talent.
• Opportunities to shape research aligned with strategic R&D needs.
• Early insight into emerging technologies and potential IP.
• Early access to emerging technologies and talent in relevant disciplines. Pathways for workforce development through student engagement.
• Direct collaboration with UA faculty experts and graduate students on targeted R&D.
• Influence over research direction to ensure alignment with market needs and operational challenges.
• Potential IP and licensing opportunities through UA’s technology commercialization pipeline.
• Strengthened reputation and visibility as a research collaborator committed to advancing innovation, workforce development, and economic development.

Benefits to UA Faculty & Students

• Dedicated funding for industry-driven research. Connections to industry scientists and leaders. Expanded funding for early-stage research with strong application potential.
• Potential for external proposal partnerships and licensing agreements.
• Increased competitiveness for external funding proposals supported by proof-of- concept results.
• Industry-driven research experience that enhances the relevance and impact of academic work.
• Networking and mentorship opportunities with industry professionals for faculty, staf, and students.
• Training and placement opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Opportunities for student internships, co-ops, and job placement with a leading industry partner.

Eligibility

• Each project must have one UA Principal Investigator (PI) and at least one designated point-of-contact or technical lead from the Industry Partner.
• UA applicants must be regular, full-time employees authorized to serve as PI.
• Eligible partners: industry scientists, engineers, or R&D managers with documented commitment to the project.
• Projects must be collaborative in scope, integrating UA’s research capabilities with the industry partner’s operational expertise.
• Proposals must include a letter of commitment from the industry partner confirming their matching contribution (cash or cash-equivalent) if the project is selected.

Review Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on:

• Innovation and impact (technical novelty and potential for translation).
• Strength of partnership (quality of UA-industry collaboration).
• Student training and workforce development opportunities.
• Potential to secure external funding and/or commercialization pathways.
• Feasibility and alignment with UA and ORED strategic priorities.

Proposal Submission

• The UA PI will submit through UA’s internal InfoReady Site.
• Proposal must include:
  • A letter of commitment from the industry partner confirming financial match.
  • Documentation of the partner’s anticipated role and resources (e.g., funds, materials, data, mentoring).

Proposal Requirements

(4 pages total for technical components)

• Abstract (0.5 page): Summarize project significance, objectives, and anticipated mutual benefits for UA and industry partner(s).
• Narrative (2.5 pages): Address the following criteria:
  1. Significance & Market Relevance (20%): Describe the research importance, potential market impact, and alignment with industry needs. Describe how the project aligns with ORED’s strategic plan, UA’s institutional strengths, and growth opportunities. Address “why this project, why now, and why this industry partner.”
  2. Advancing Academic & Industry Collaboration / Partnership (20%): Explain how the project strengthens UA – industry relationships and contributes to both fields; Briefly describe student involvement in relation to role in partnership.
  3. Uniqueness & Innovation (20%): Highlight novel methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches, or first-to- market potential. Diferentiate from current work.
  4. Student Engagement & Workforce Development (15%): Detail student roles, training, and exposure to industry-relevant skills.
  5. Future Funding, Commercialization Pathway, & Impact (25%): Explain how the project could lead to external funding, Intellectual Property (IP), licensing, startup activity, or operational deployment.
• Timeline (0.5 page): Provide a detailed project timeline covering the 12-month period of performance. The timeline should identify:
  • Major milestones and deliverables.
  • Anticipated student involvement.
  • Key industry partner activities (e.g., provision of resources, participation in research reviews, mentoring).
  • Expected timing of outcomes (e.g., data generation, prototype development, submission of external proposals).
• Budget (0.5 page): Provide a simple breakdown of the budget, including personnel, materials, travel, or other justified expenses. Identify use of UA vs Industry funds, as well as outline any in-kind contributions from [Industry Partner Name] necessary to complete the project or made available by partner (e.g., materials, data access, equipment use, mentoring). Budget should be tied to timeline milestones and deliverables.
• Additional Materials (not included in page count):
  • Biosketches (3-page limit per UA investigator).
  • Industry letter(s) of commitment.

Deliverables & Expectations

• Submission of a brief mid-year progress report documenting progress-to-date, barriers to commercialization or prototyping, and approach to overcome barriers.
• Submission of a final report at project completion documenting research outcomes, impacts of the funding, and workforce opportunities leveraged through the award.
• At least one of the following within 12 months:
  • Joint peer-reviewed publication.
  • Demonstration or prototype relevant to the industry’s needs.
  • Joint external funding proposal.
  • Evidence of commercialization activity (e.g., IP disclosure, licensing discussions).
• Participation in a UA–Industry Research Showcase to present results to internal and external stakeholders.

Regulatory Compliance

Projects requiring IRB/IACUC or other compliance approvals must secure them prior to receiving funds.