The 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. This year’s call is open to all tenure- and nontenure track faculty of all ranks with a primary appointment within ACES.

The program solicits outstanding interdisciplinary team research proposals to initiate new and enhance existing collaborations among faculty. The expected product of the FIRE seed grant program is a fundable interdisciplinary research proposal. The lead Principal Investigator must be a faculty member within ACES.

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 FY2025 RFP and FAQ documents are now available. The deadline for submission of FIRE proposals is April 8, 2024, no later than 5:00 PM CT. Submit proposals online through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (OVCRI) Special Programs site. Questions? Contact Barbara Godlew at godlew2@illinois.edu in the ACES OR for additional information.

Start the FIRE grant application process