University Research Institute

Research is not a transaction. It’s a pursuit. The University Research Initiative (URI) invests in faculty whose ideas have the power to redefine what is possible. Each award fuels projects that push boundaries, connect disciplines, and expand the reach of UTEP’s research enterprise.

This is not generic seed funding. It’s the ignition of a strategic investment in the next breakthrough, led by the faculty shaping tomorrow’s knowledge landscape.

Purpose

Progress begins with those who are willing to imagine differently. URI helps faculty move from concept to proof, from early insight to evidence, from idea to impact.

Every award recognizes the courage to innovate and the discipline to deliver. Faculty selected through URI demonstrate UTEP’s commitment to research that not only advances discovery but also defines excellence.

Vision

• Transform strong ideas into competitive research trajectories.
• Empower early- and mid-career faculty to lead innovation in their fields.
• Strengthen cross-college collaboration through shared purpose.
• Position UTEP for national recognition in scholarly and creative leadership.

Designed for Momentum

• Award Amount: Up to $5,000
• Application Deadline: Fall
• Funding Period: One year
• Eligibility: Full-time, research-active faculty
• Apply via: InfoReady

Selection Priorities

The Faculty Research Committee selects projects that demonstrate:

• Scholarly Significance. Strength of the idea and its potential to advance the applicant’s discipline.
• Strategic Fit. Alignment with UTEP’s research priorities, emerging focus areas, or national research agendas.
• Outcomes and Deliverables. Specific products expected within the one-year award period, such as manuscripts, performances, exhibitions, or data collection leading to a proposal.
• Pathway to External Funding. A realistic plan for leveraging URI outcomes into external applications or collaborative funding.
• Leadership Development. Evidence that the project will strengthen the PI’s visibility, influence, or network within their field or across disciplines.

Annual Cycle

The URI Program opens in late summer. Applications are due mid-fall. Awards are announced, and funding is released in early spring. Each project runs for one year and concludes with a report that documents outcomes, data generated, partnerships formed, publications submitted, and planned external proposals. These reports become part of UTEP’s collective story of discovery and competitiveness.

The Work That Defines Us
(Coming soon: profiles of URI-funded projects that shaped new fields, built new collaborations, and redefined possibilities.)