Big Idea Challenge: New Funding Opportunity Now Open

The Office of Research, Innovation & Impact (RII) is thrilled to announce the Big Idea Challenge (BIC) – a new University of Arizona initiative that incentivizes transdisciplinary, convergent research teams to incubate ideas, generate new insights and launch transformative projects with strong potential to generate new and significant external funding and lasting societal impact.

RII will award seed funding of up to $125,000 annually, for up to two years, to three or four selected teams. We hope to spark projects that will chart new pathways to discoveries, innovations, and social, cultural and policy solutions, while training the next generation of future transdisciplinary talent – all while continuing the university's tradition of research excellence that seeks, understands and implements solutions that benefit Arizona and the world.

The BIC projects should aim to further enhance U of A's position as a leader in producing game-changing research and innovation that tackles regional, national, and global challenges in six strategic areas:

• Defense and National Security
• Energy and Environmental Sustainability
• Health and Biomedical Sciences
• The Human Experience
• Data, Information Systems and Al
• Space Sciences

This initiative is meant to transcend academic disciplines, support multicultural engagement, and bring all of U of A’s institutional strengths together, while collaborating globally with other universities, policy makers, economists, creatives, and business leaders. This is how we tackle global challenges and accelerate practical solutions that impact society in tangible ways.

Submissions are open now and will be accepted until 5 p.m., on Wednesday, March 26. We encourage you to accept the challenge to take your big ideas and turn them into transformative, solution-focused research opportunities.