Skip to content

Division of Research

R-Initiatives

R-Initiative programs nurture scholarship and discovery at Clemson University by providing funding opportunities and professional development support, while recognizing excellence through awards programs.

From 2017-2022, Clemson University has invested more than $10 million in research projects involving nearly 600 faculty members spread across every college through its R-Initiative funding programs. On R-Initiatives awarded through 2020, faculty members have authored 10 books; published 83 articles and presentations; conducted 11 art exhibitions and residencies; hired 23 postdocs and research associates; and secured $15 million in external funding with another $21 million in proposals pending. More proposals are being prepared and numerous R-Initiative projects remain active. Additionally, about 100 students have earned their PhDs with support from R-Initiative funding.

R-Initiative programs available are listed below, including funding opportunities, services and tools, and awards and recognitions.

Funding Opportunities

  • Major Research Instrumentation Program

    The MRI initiative provides $50,000 or more to fund the purchase or upgrade of equipment.  

    MORE INFORMATION

  • Clemson Research Fellows

    Fellows provides funding to support the hiring and training of research faculty and postdoctoral researchers.

    MORE INFORMATION

  • Clemson Faculty Succeeds

    CLEMSON FACULTY SUCCEEDS (CU SUCCEEDS) is a competitive internal funding initiative that positions faculty to succeed at various stages of the research process. CU SUCCEEDS provides funding across four programs to support leading-edge research and scholarship that capitalize on the existing intellectual capital at Clemson University. This initiative consists of four programs: (1) Project Initiation/Seed Funding, (2) Collaborate, (3) Project Completion, and (4) Fast Track.

    MORE INFORMATION

  • Clemson Core Incentivized Access (CU-CIA)

    CU-CIA provides access to core research facilities for electron microscopy, light imaging, micro fabrication, high performance computing and animal research services. 

    2023 Call for Proposals
    The first deadline to apply is Nov. 21, 2022 and the second is April 12, 2023.

    MORE INFORMATION

  • External Review Initiative

    This provides principal investigators with external reviews to strengthen proposals before submission to funding agencies. Applications are accepted any time but must be submitted 12 weeks before the sponsor deadline

    External reviewers of proposals provide valuable feedback that investigators can use to strengthen proposals prior to submission to funding agencies, thus increasing their potential funding success. The Division of Research facilitates and provides honoraria for the external peer-review of grant proposals with the External Review Initiative. Clemson faculty may receive external reviews of grant proposals on which they are the Principal Investigators (PIs). PIs will suggest external reviewers, and ORD staff will coordinate the receipt of written peer reviews. 

    Call for Proposals
    Rolling deadline

  • Sponsor Travel Grant

    This provides investigators with up to $1,000 to visit agency or foundation program officers to establish relationships and discuss new funding opportunities. Applications are accepted any time.

    The Division of Research will award Sponsor Travel Grants of up to $1,000 for investigators to visit agency or foundation program officers to establish relationships and discuss new funding opportunities. Sponsor Travel Grants are available on a rolling deadline.

    Call for Proposals
    Rolling deadline
  • Doctoral Dissertation Completion Grant

    A collaborative effort between the Offices of the Vice President for Research and the Dean of the Graduate School, this initiative supports students working to complete their doctoral degree. The Doctoral Dissertation Completion Award is not currently accepting applications. 

    MORE INFORMATION

  • Clemson Seed

    Funding opportunities previously offered through the CU SEED program are now part of Clemson SUCCEEDS. To view recipients of CU SEED funding in past years. 

    MORE INFORMATION

Services and Tools

  • Research Symposium

    The annual Research Symposium is a gathering of faculty from every discipline to share ideas and form research collaborations, as well as to celebrate our successes in scholarship and discovery. The event features numerous interdisciplinary workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities and awards ceremonies.

    MORE INFORMATION

  • Career Academy

    The Office of Research Development’s annual CAREER Academy provides a dedicated support structure for untenured junior faculty who are planning to submit National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals. 

    MORE INFORMATION.

  • Faculty Insight

    The online Faculty Insight database tool provides a platform for faculty to search for potential collaborators and funding opportunities by expertise. 

    MORE INFORMATION

  • Limited Submissions

    Some funding opportunities limit the number of applications that an institution can submit per cycle. The Office of Research Development works to establish and implement a fair, effective, and timely process for internal competitions for limited-submission funding opportunities.

    Clemson InfoReady Research Portal

Awards and Recognitions

Division of Research
Division of Research | 230 Kappa Street, Clemson, SC 29634