Proposal Assistance Toward High-impact funding (PATH)

Proposal Assistance Toward High-impact funding (PATH) Award

Spring 2026 Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Proposal Assistance Toward High-impact funding (PATH) Award is a new internal grant designed to support principal investigators (PIs) on a trajectory to submit external large-scale funding proposals of at least $1 million. PIs are expected to develop projects that will address priority topics for ISU (health, energy, environmental stewardship and security, and community connection), have the strong potential to build research capacity and promote collaboration, and drive innovation and impact. All projects will be considered, including projects conducting or developing research, instruction, program development, outreach, service, workforce development, etc. External funding proposals are expected to be submitted within 1-2 years from award letter date. Therefore, projects should be in a state that is relatively close to submission stage (i.e., where they are supported by sufficient preliminary data), but require additional support to get the PI and project team over the hump for timely submission. This award is not intended for projects that are in initial stages, such as for conducting pilot studies. By supporting PIs that are on track to submit competitive funding proposals in priority areas, the ISU Office for Research is aiming to increase our success rate in obtaining substantial funding from federal agencies or other external sources in areas of significant growth and mission alignment. Proposals will be reviewed by the Office for Research and area experts (either within or outside of the university). It is anticipated that 2-3 proposals will be awarded this year, with support to begin in summer 2026. Awards will provide up to $50,000 each.

Guidelines

PATH RFP 2026

Important Dates and Deadlines 

The dates below are yearly. 

PATH Grant Application Submission Method

You are required to submit your application in Cayuse SP.

Below is the specific Cayuse SP labeling information for the Proposal Readiness and Enhancement Program:

* Sponsor: ISU Internal Faculty Proposal Assistance Toward High-impact funding (PATH).

* Short Project Name: ISU PATH: Title of your proposal 

Activity Code: Internal Grant

* Title of Project: ISU PATH: Title of your proposal 

ISGP Cayuse instructions 

Questions 

Please reach out to Michele Brumley (michelebrumley@isu.edu) with questions regarding the PATH award. For submission of applications, applicants must work with Steve Wright (stevewright@isu) in the Office of Sponsored Programs and Support (OSPS) to submit and route proposals through Cayuse. OSPS also is available to assist with budget-related questions and using the budget template.