The ACES Office of Research is committed to supporting faculty in finding funding. We actively identify external funding opportunities and provide comprehensive support throughout the application process. We also offer internal grants to initiate research projects and provide ongoing guidance and administrative support. Our goal is to empower faculty to pursue their research goals and make meaningful contributions to their fields.

Cost Share

  • Research sponsors can require co-investment from the university as a condition of a research award. While these requirements can often be met entirely with faculty researcher time (i.e., academic year contributed effort) or in-kind resources that are tracked and approved at the department level, sometimes additional hard-match support is needed. The ACES Office of Research can help you develop a competitive and workable cost share strategy that balances the needs of the research project, the sponsor, and the university. 

  • If your proposal requires a hard match, please work with your department/unit business office to prepare a budget and allocations between the department, college, and campus.   

  • If you require additional matching funds after your department/unit has committed support, please contact the ACES Office of Research using the cost-share request form.    

  • If you require additional matching funds from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, you must have committed funds from your department/unit and the Office of Research. 

Request cost share support

ACES Future Interdisciplinary Research Explorations (FIRE)

The ACES Future Interdisciplinary Research Explorations (FIRE) award program receives generous funding support from the ACES Office of the Dean and Office of Research. This grant encourages creativity and collaboration between ACES faculty and research partners. This year’s call is open to all tenure- and nontenure track faculty of all ranks with a primary appointment within ACES.

Explore FIRE

The Dudley Smith Initiative

The Dudley Smith Initiative (DSI) supports innovative research and outreach that advances its fundamental goal of invigorating the agricultural system in Illinois.

Explore DSI

 

2023 Request for Proposals

Submission Deadline: November 15, 2023 by 5pm CT

Anticipated Award Notification: December 15, 2023

 

Dudley Smith Initiative Research Seminar

We invite faculty and staff to join us for a seminar hosted by the Dudley Smith Initiative (DSI) on September 20, 2023 from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the Heritage Room of the ACES Library. The seminar will provide an overview of the program and include presentations by current DSI-funded research teams. Office of Research staff will be present to answer any questions about the program or the newly released DSI Request for Proposals. Please RSVP to this event by September 15, 2023. 

DSI Research Reports

Invasive Plant Species as Risk Factors for Tickborne Disease in Humans and Livestock: A One Health Approach to Sustainable Agricultural Communities

Teresa Steckler

Developing a Phosphorus (P) Credit to Support Illinois Farmer Precision Management of P

Andrew Margenot

Integrating Cover Crops in Grain and Beef Cattle Operations for Soil-Livestock Synergies

Dan Shike

Interstate Trade as a Mitigating Factor for the Effects of Climate Change on Illinois Agriculture

Bill Ridley

Balancing Water Quality and Nutrient Management Goals for the Sustainable Intensification of Corn Systems

Luciano Alves

Equipment Grant Program

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