The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Future Interdisciplinary Research Explorations (FIRE) award program receives generous funding support from the ACES Office of the Dean and Office of Research. This grant encourages creativity and collaboration between ACES faculty and research partners (internal and external to the university). This year’s call is open to all tenured, tenure-track, and specialized faculty of all ranks.

The aims of FIRE proposals are for faculty to:

• Develop exploratory research ideas that require the involvement of multiple disciplines
• Identify a research theme or question that gives coherence to the project and relates to the scope of programs within ACES
• Collect preliminary data or other relevant information to address research questions
• Prepare, develop, and submit research proposals for external funding

The expected product of the FIRE seed grant program is a fundable interdisciplinary research proposal.

The program solicits outstanding interdisciplinary team research proposals to initiate new and enhance existing collaborations among faculty. The lead Principal Investigator must be a faculty member within ACES.

The 2021 RFP is now available. The deadline for submission of FIRE proposals is April 9, 2021 no later than 5 PM CT. Submit proposals online through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (OVCRI) Special Programs site. Questions? Contact Barbara Godlew (godlew2@illinois.edu) in the ACES OR for additional information.

Start the FIRE grant application process.

2021 FIRE FAQs

2021 FIRE Request for Proposal (contains review criteria and guidelines)

FIRE Awards to Date