Principal Investigator (PI)ÌýAcademy
Principal Investigator (PI) Academy connects early‑career Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder faculty with the people, funding, and campus knowledge it takes to turn research ideas, innovation and creative work into funded opportunities. The program is for scholars from the humanities to the sciences. Bold ideas have no boundaries.
ÌýÌýThis Year's Kickoff
- When: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 @ 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
- Where: Center for Global British & Irish Studies, Norlin Library (5th floor)
- What: A one-stop introduction to the people and resources that support research at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
Senior Vice Chancellor Massimo Ruzzenne will kick us off and attendees will hear from leadership across RIO and connect with the offices essential to proposal submission. By the end of the day, faculty will understand the proposal development to submission process at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.
The kickoff is simply an opportunity to learn more—there's no commitment beyond attending. If you choose, you can then join a cohort that supports you over the next nine months as you develop and submit your first proposal at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder—whether large or small, in the sciences, arts or humanities. What matters is that you get started.
ÌýÌýBenefits
Participation in PI AcademyÌýincludes the following benefits:
- Faculty Network—Build a network with faculty leaders and peers from across campus.
- Workshops—Foundational offerings that will support you in your research.
- Funding Strategy—Assistance in identifying relevant funding opportunities.Ìý
- Proposal Development Support—Priority access to services including strategic grant writing advice and proposal development, editing, proofreading and rigorous proposal review.
The Year-Long Arc
One year. Four stages. One submission.
You'll move through the year alongside a cohort of new faculty, connected with our dedicated research development team and an accountability peer.
1. Launch
September 2
Half-day series: ecosystem, funding, tools and peer learning
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2. Funding Strategies
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Seed grant clinic, federal landscape, funding strategies, broader impacts
3. Develop
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Proposal workshops, peer review, NSF CAREER and NEH series
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4. Submit
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Draft clinic, submission support
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Our goal is simple: Every faculty member submits at least one internal or external funding application before May 2027.Ìý
Your Support Structure
Check in every two weeks
- Share progress on your funding target
- Attend core programming together
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Connect as needed
- Funding identification and strategy
- Proposal review and development
Engage early—before you submit
- PSR form and budget development
- Proposal routing, compliance and sponsor submission
Eligibility
Built for your first three years.
PI Academy is for eligible Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder PIs within the first three years of their Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder academic appointment, at the level of Assistant Professor or the equivalent. You may register at any time of year—the program cadence runs from September through May.
Interested but not yet eligible? Register your interest and we'll reach out when you are.