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Research Development Office (RDO)

Diagram depicting Strategic Research Development Activities, including: (1) coordinating internal funding programs, (2) facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations, (3) connecting investigators to idea development and review services, (4) providing proposal development assistance for large scale grants, (5) offering workshops for skill-building, and (6) matching faculty to funding opportunities

The Research Development Office (RDO) at the UAB Office of Research strives to expand the university's capability to continually discover and share new knowledge by connecting researchers to resources and providing support to increase their competitiveness in obtaining extramural funding. As a central resource, the research development team is here to assist investigators across the university in finding and securing funding to support their research, scholarship, and creative activities.

The Research Development Office aims to support research investigators across the proposal development continuum. Whether you are in the early stages of idea development or have a grant deadline quickly approaching, the RDO provides many supportive services and resources to help you at every step of the way. Learn more about how RDO can help you:

 
DevelopYour Ideas

Develop
Your Ideas

All research projects start with a great idea. The RDO can help you connect with resources to help you develop and refine your best ideas for innovative and impactful research projects.
FindFunding

Find
Funding

Once you have a solid research idea, it’s time to find funding to support your project. The RDO helps connect faculty to funding opportunities to support and grow the UAB research enterprise. The RDO also manages external funding opportunities that are institutionally limited, known as “limited submissions”.
Develop andSubmit Proposals

Develop and
Submit Proposals

Ready to write your proposal? RDO curates several internal and external resources to help faculty develop the most compelling and competitive research proposals. Whether you are looking for strategic guidance in the early stages of writing or a critical review of a near-final draft, RDO can connect you to the right resources to take your proposal to the next level.
Collaborateand Translate

Collaborate
and Translate

Collaborative and translational research is essential for solving the world’s most challenging problems. The RDO supports faculty in finding potential collaborators to support interdisciplinary research and connecting them to resources to commercialize new technologies or translate their findings from bench to bedside.
Grow ResearchDevelopment Skills

Grow Research
Development Skills

Looking to grow improve your research development skills? The RDO offers skill-building workshops and helps coordinate internal and external resources and programs to improve investigator’s’ ability to find and secure research funding.
Centers and Institutes

Centers
and Institutes

Centers and Institutes focus and concentrate efforts, usually multidisciplinary in nature, toward meeting a specialized need or dealing with a current issue. A fully developed center or institute that meets the criteria required by Board Rule 503 represents a significant investment of expertise, collaborative energy, and resources. UAB’s Office of Research may designate a board approved center as a “university-wide interdisciplinary research center” (UWIRC) denoting the center’s achievement of growth and potential to serve the entire campus, a recognition of scope beyond that encompassing a Board of Trustee approved school-based center.
Request aLetter of Support

Request a
Letter of Support

The Research Development Office (RDO) supports researchers in obtaining letters of institutional support, when required, for their funding proposals. To receive a letter of support from the Office of the Vice President of Research, send a drafted letter and specific aims or project summary page to the RDO. Our team will review the draft and, once finalized, will facilitate the final review and signing by the Vice President of Research. Please allow two weeks from submission of the draft for the signed letter to be returned. Our team can also provide materials to support you in drafting your letter.
Apply for a LimitedSubmission Opportunity

Apply for a Limited
Submission Opportunity

Some sponsors restrict the total number of grant applications submitted per institution, school, and/or discipline, commonly referred to as a “limited submission”. The Research Development Office tracks limited submission opportunities and manages the internal review process to determine which applicant(s) or proposal(s) will represent UAB, when necessary. If interested in a limited submission opportunity, learn more about the university’s policy and process, and notify the RDO of your interest.
ContactRDO

Contact
RDO

The Research Development Office offers a range of support for university researchers. Learn more about RDO, schedule a consult, and/or request resources.

 

RDO News and Events

  • Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences - 2026 Award

    April 7, 2025

    The Pew Charitable Trusts is inviting eligible institutions to nominate one faculty member with the rank of assistant professor to apply for the 2026 Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences. The current grant level is $300,000; $75,000 per year for a four-year period.

    Interested applicants should submit pre-proposals to the Research Development Office through InfoReady by Friday, April 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. Requested materials include a research summary (up to 2 pages) and CV. An internal committee will review eligible submissions, and applicants will be notified of decisions on Monday, May 12.

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Candidates must have been awarded a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine, or a related field.
    • As of Sept. 3, 2025, nominees must be running an independent lab and hold full-time appointments at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent. Appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible.
    • Candidates must not have been appointed as an assistant professor at any institution prior to June 11, 2021. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or on parental leave does not count as part of this four-year limit. Candidates who need an eligibility extension due to leave or other reasons should contact Pew's program office.
    • Candidates may apply two times in total.
    • If an applicant's university has more than one eligible nominating institution or campus, that applicant may apply from only one institution; the applicant may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different one.
    • Candidates may not be nominated for the Pew Scholars Program and the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research in the same year.
    • Candidates should demonstrate exceptional promise in science relevant to human health, based on their education and training. This program does not fund clinical trials research. Strong proposals should feature creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research. Candidates who integrate concepts from diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

      Ideas with high-impact potential are particularly welcomed. Selection will be based on the proposed work, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. Committee review will weigh both the project proposal and the researcher’s qualifications, emphasizing evidence of successful independent investigation and the necessary skill set to execute their high-impact proposal.

      For more information, visit the Pews Scholars Program webpage or contact the Research Development Office directly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  • FY25 CDMRP Funding Announced: $650 Million Available for Innovative Research

    April 7, 2025

    The Congressionally Directed Research Programs (CDMRP) has announced $650 million in research funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), supporting high-impact, high-risk projects that address critical gaps in biomedical research. CDMRP is known for its unique approach to funding, prioritizing research that directly benefits military personnel, veterans, and the broader public while fostering innovation across disciplines.

    CDMRP has historically funded a broad range of health-related topics, from cancer and neurological disorders to infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. Unlike traditional NIH mechanisms, CDMRP programs are shaped by congressional directives and stakeholder input, often prioritizing bold, transformative research with potential for rapid translation into practice. Funding areas for FY25 are listed below:

    • Alzheimer's Research Program - $15.0 million
    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program - $40.0 million
    • Breast Cancer Research Program - $130.0 million
    • Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program - $12.5 million
    • Melanoma Research Program - $40.0 million
    • Military Burn Research Program - $10.0 million
    • Ovarian Cancer Research Program - $15.0 million
    • Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (18 topics) - $130.0 million
    • Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (42 topics) - $150.0 million
    • Prostate Cancer Research Program - $75 million
    • Rare Cancers Research Program - $17.5 million
    • Toxic Exposures Research Program - $15.0 million

    We encourage researchers across disciplines to explore CDMRP opportunities and consider how their expertise aligns with these funding priorities. The Research Development Office is available to help navigate funding announcements, develop competitive proposals, and facilitate collaborations to strengthen submissions. If you’re interested in pursuing CDMRP funding, reach out to our team for guidance and support.

    Funding opportunity announcements, including detailed descriptions of award mechanism intent, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, and deadlines, will be shared soon. Visit the CDMRP webpage to learn more.

  • We're Growing!

    March 31, 2025

    The Research Development Office (RDO) is growing our capabilities to support the UAB research enterprise with the addition of Jeremy Arnold, Project Manager II, to our team. Jeremy brings wide ranging expertise in nonprofits, grantsmanship, and consulting. In this new role, Jeremy will continue RDO’s efforts to connect researchers to resources and bolster their competitiveness in obtaining funding. Jeremy will also be a key administrator tasked with supporting UAB’s centers and institutes program. Whether you’re interested in support finding funding, crafting a competitive proposal, or facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, Jeremy and the RDO are here to help! Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a consultation or learn more.

    Learn more...

  • Request RDO Support

    Sep. 13, 2023

    The RDO assists faculty at the earliest stages of idea development who are pursuing large interdisciplinary research initiatives, including the preparation of grants that involving multiple schools, departments, divisions, or centers to support new research programs at UAB. The RDO is available to discuss your specific needs and connect you with the best internal and external resources to ensure your research project’s success. The RDO offers in-house proposal review services, including guidance on proposal structure, content, style, and grantsmanship.

    Learn more...

  • Stay Connected: Subscribe to Research Matters

    Sep. 6, 2023

    Research Matters is a weekly newsletter designed to effectively inform the UAB research community of important updates that affect research administration. The Office of Research Development regularly publishes news and updates through Research Matters. Subscribe so you do not miss our news and announcements!

    Learn more...