UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Faculty at Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses are invited to apply for six seed funding programs designed to support research, foster collaboration and advance projects across campuses. Offered through the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses (OVPCC), the programs support a range of priorities, including early-stage and mid-career research and professional development, mentorship, community impact, industry partnerships and undergraduate research engagement
“We encourage Commonwealth Campus faculty to take advantage of these opportunities to build momentum in their research and explore new ideas,” said Renata Engel, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor. “We have strategically expanded our investment in faculty research to support meaningful progress across the Commonwealth Campuses research enterprise and to establish a strong foundation for continued advancement. These programs reflect the depth of research across our campuses while creating meaningful opportunities for faculty to grow and advance their careers.”
Applications are due May 1, 2026. Funding will support activities from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The programs below are designed to strengthen research capacity across Commonwealth Campuses while supporting collaboration and external funding readiness.
Industry Engagement and Partnership (IEP)
Supports the development of strategic research partnerships between faculty and industry collaborators to help advance projects to external funding. Full-time faculty of any rank at Commonwealth Campuses may apply for up to $8,000 funding from OVPCC, contingent upon a minimum 25% match from industry partners, provided in addition to the OVPCC award. Interdisciplinary work and collaborations across campuses or multiple industry partners are encouraged.
Mid-Career Faculty Research Advancement (MFRA)
Designed to help associate professors strengthen their research portfolios and progress toward promotion to full professor. Faculty who have held the rank for at least three years may apply for up to $6,000 to support research activities. Recipients are expected to submit at least one major external funding proposal and develop a two-year professional advancement plan.
Community Impact and Engagement (CIE)
Aligned with Penn State’s land-grant mission, this program advances research and outreach that address real-world challenges and deliver meaningful community impact. Full-time faculty of any rank at Commonwealth Campuses may request up to $5,000 to support partnerships with community stakeholders that identify local or regional needs and develop solutions aligned with broader research or outreach goals. Interdisciplinary and multi-campus collaborations are encouraged.
Early-Career Research Mentorship (ERM)
Focused on building the next generation of research leaders, this program supports early-career faculty in advancing their work and preparing for external funding through structured mentorship. Faculty within four years of their first appointment who have not previously served as a principal investigator on an externally funded project may apply for up to $3,000 and are expected to develop a three-year research plan and submit at least one external proposal.
Excellence in Interdisciplinary Research (EIR)
Supports the development of interdisciplinary research projects in preparation for external funding. Full-time faculty of any rank at Commonwealth Campuses may request up to $8,000 to support preliminary research, with projects required to span at least two disciplines. Collaboration across campuses, colleges and research institutes is encouraged, and should contribute to a broader research agenda.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Expands hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students through faculty-led projects across Commonwealth Campuses. Full-time faculty of any rank at Commonwealth Campuses may apply. Two funding tracks are available: the Federal Work-Study (FWS) track provides up to $2,000 per student (up to $6,000 per project) for eligible students. The Regular REU track provides up to $2,000 per project and requires at least two undergraduate participants. Funding supports student wages and related research expenses, with interdisciplinary and multi-campus participation encouraged.