Description: Research Opportunity Program (formerly the Research and Productive Scholarship Program or RPS) funding is provided by ORHS to encourage faculty to develop individual research projects leading to the pursuit of external funding sources or the promotion of scholarly activities.

• Category I funds will be considered "seed" monies and will be awarded to faculty with the stated objective of enhancing the competitiveness of a subsequent submission of a new or renewal proposal for external funding. Priority will be given to researchers that have received optimistic reviewers’ comments from a federal sponsor. (Include prior federal review comments in appendix, if available)
  • Mentors are expected to assist the PI (junior faculty only) with selecting an appropriate funding agency and program, and preparing and submitting an extramural grant application. It is not expected that mentors will necessarily have, or need, technical expertise in the proposed area. However, mentors are expected to have sufficient familiarity with the targeted funding source to be able to advise on the external grant proposal process. All Category 1 proposals submitted by junior faculty must identify a grants mentor who is listed in USCeRA as a Co-PI.)
     
• Category II funds support the general development, expansion or enhancement of faculty research and creative activity. These funds are focused on research contributions that increase academic, intellectual and scholarly activity.
   
• Category III funds support the creative and performing arts. Support may include costs associated with creating an exhibit, a performance, a musical work, etc.