CIS Transdisciplinary Award Program
The Center for Industry Studies (CIS) at the University of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the 2025–2026 CIS Transdisciplinary Award Program, designed to foster collaborative and transdisciplinary research between scholars in engineering and the sciences. This funding opportunity is intended to support innovative research efforts that bridge disciplines and encourage cross-departmental collaboration.
By facilitating partnerships between faculty members from diverse academic backgrounds, this initiative seeks to generate new insights and solutions that have a tangible impact on industry practices, business strategies, technological advancements, and policy frameworks. We welcome proposals spanning a wide array of topics, including but not limited to advancements in engineering, technology, the evolution of business practices, healthcare systems and policies, energy sustainability, and environmental challenges.
It is expected that funded projects will serve as a catalyst for securing highly competitive external research grants and funding opportunities. Additionally, projects should aim to contribute meaningfully to academic scholarship, industry innovation, and the broader public discourse on critical economic, technological, and policy issues.
Application Deadline: July 7, 2025
Funding Period: Funding for successful proposals will be available for a September 1, 2025 project start date
Award: For AY 2025-2026 awards of up to $50,000 will be available. Successful proposals will be awarded funding for one year.
Use of Funds: Eligible expenses include graduate student support, data collection and analysis, fieldwork, and project-related travel. Funds may not be used for faculty salaries or the purchase of equipment.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Proposals must include Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) from at least one engineering discipline within the Swanson School of Engineering. One Co-PI must be a tenured or tenure-stream faculty member.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Given the competitive nature of this funding opportunity, all submitted proposals will undergo a thorough review process conducted by a panel of distinguished scholars representing both the sciences and engineering disciplines. The selection committee will evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:
- Transdisciplinary Collaboration: The degree to which the project fosters meaningful and sustained collaboration between engineering and the sciences.
- Scholarly and Scientific Merit: The overall quality, rigor, and originality of the proposed research.
- Potential Research Impact: The extent to which the research can contribute to advancements in academic scholarship, industry practices, or public policy.
The review committee’s decision regarding proposal selection is final.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
To be considered for funding, applicants must submit a well-structured research proposal that adheres to the following guidelines:
- Length: The core proposal should be no more than five (5) pages in length, excluding supplementary materials such as budget details, graphs, charts, and exhibits.
- Proposal Content: This award is specifically designed to promote transdisciplinary collaboration between engineering and the sciences, and proposals should clearly demonstrate how the collaboration will enhance the research outcomes and impact. The proposal should provide a clear and detailed description of the problem, the anticipated contributions of the collaborative research, and the methodologies that will be employed in conducting the study. The proposal should also outline expected deliverables and the potential impact of the research.
- Supporting Documentation:
- Budget: A detailed budget from the submitting Co-PI(s) must be included, providing a statement on how the requested funding will be used to support the project
- Curricula Vitae: Each Co-PI must submit a curriculum vitae (CV) in NSF format
- Research Abstract: A brief proposed project summary should accompany the proposal. This abstract will be published on the Center for Industry Studies’ website to highlight the research initiative.
SUBMISSION/AWARD TIMELINE
All proposal submissions and inquiries should be directed to: Bopaya Bidanda, Director, Center for Industry Studies - indstudy@pitt.edu
- Deadline: July 7, 2025
- Award Notification: August 15, 2025
- Project Start Date: September 1, 2025
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
To ensure accountability and to track the progress of funded research initiatives, award recipients will be required to submit reports at two key milestones:
Six-Month Progress Report:
- A concise summary of research activities and progress to date.
- Preliminary findings, if available.
- Any challenges encountered and adjustments made to the research approach.
- Future research plans and potential avenues for external funding applications.
Final Report (Twelve-Month Mark):
- A comprehensive summary of research outcomes and key findings.
- An assessment of the project's overall impact on industry and/or academic scholarship.
- A discussion of any follow-up research opportunities, including potential external funding sources.
In addition to the required reports, award recipients must present their research findings in a public seminar, organized by the Center for Industry Studies. This seminar serves as an opportunity to share research insights with faculty, students, industry professionals, and policymakers.
TL;DR
The CIS Transdisciplinary Award Program is a unique funding opportunity designed to promote meaningful collaboration between engineering and the sciences. By providing financial support for the early stages of groundbreaking research, this initiative aims to generate long-term partnerships and position researchers for successful external funding opportunities.
We look forward to receiving proposals from faculty members across the University of Pittsburgh who are eager to engage in transformative, transdisciplinary research that has the potential to make a lasting impact on their fields and beyond.