The Dean’s Research Innovation Fund is designed to promote clinically relevant research by medical students, residents, fellows, and junior clinical postdocs and faculty in the School of Medicine. Eligible projects include those designed to produce preliminary data to support larger extramurally funded research pursuits, to stimulate collaborations between learners and faculty “sponsors,” and to advance research projects by junior investigators.

The deadline for proposals each year are on September 30 and March 31.

Review proposal requirements:  

Eligibility Requirements

• Projects proposed by UCR School of Medicine students and trainees require a faculty “sponsor” from either the Division of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health, or Division of Clinical Sciences that includes Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry & Neuroscience. Faculty “sponsor” must be ladder rank, in residence, Clinical X, or Health Sciences Clinical Professor series.
• Proposals for projects involving human subjects require approval by the UCR Institutional Review Board (IRB) (and any other relevant IRB or other approvals) before any work can begin.

Criteria for Selection

• Well-thought-out and clearly explained research question and hypothesis (as applicable).
• Explicit research budget with justification. Faculty salaries cannot be paid by this award.
• Strong experimental design and clear explanation and justification of the types of data collected.
• Explanation of the statistical and/or qualitative methods to be applied to the data.
• Explanation of the approach and analysis of the results.
• Preference will be given to medical student and resident proposals.
• Projects cannot have ongoing overlapping funding from other sources.

A two-page proposal narrative, and single page role, timeline, budget, and references, may be submitted by e-mail to jacquelin.seybert@medsch.ucr.edu.

If you need further assistance with developing your ideas or project, please contact Dr. Daniel Novak (Daniel.Novak@medsch.ucr.edu) Director of Student Scholarly Activities or Dr. Michelle Porche (Michelle.Porche@medsch.ucr.edu) Director of Clinical Faculty Research Development and Scholarly Activity.

Use of Funds/Budget Considerations

School of Medicine Sponsored Research and Programs (SRP) will assign and oversee the funds for this grant under the qualified sponsoring SOM faculty member. Expenditures will be coordinated through SRP.

Funds provided under this agreement may not be used for any purpose other than the items listed on the approved budget. Grant funds may not be used to reimburse any expenses you incurred prior to the start date. The funding should be spent to support activities directly related to the project and consistent with 19900 State General Funds UC restrictions; therefore, it may not be used on food or alcohol. Funding cannot be used to support your salary, other scientific staff salaries, or research equipment. Allowed expenses include research supplies and reasonable payments to research subjects. For any other categories of expenditures, a clear and detailed justification is required for review. All expenses must be reviewed and approved prior to spending.