Co-developed by research development professionals at Utah State University, Montana State University, the University of Idaho, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and AtKisson Training Group, InterFACE (Faculty Academy for Competitive Excellence) is a multi-institutional initiative to support faculty developing competitive proposals for select external funding opportunities.
In 2025, InterFACE will focus on the strategic development of National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 (research project grant) applications. A limited number of USU faculty will be selected to participate in the program through a university-wide application process. More information is available in the Applications section of this page. The University of Idaho will be the host institution for 2025 in-person activities.
Format
Through didactic and experiential learning, small group collaboration, and expert consultation, the InterFACE: NIH R01 Academy will guide participants as they prepare a complete R01 application, including Specific Aims, research strategy, budget, and ancillary documents. Because this is a multi-institutional program, participants will have the opportunity to network with faculty from participating institutions.
Schedule
InterFACE: NIH R01 Academy programming will occur in April and May 2025. Formal programming will be followed by two rounds of proposal review during the fall with an intended proposal submission date in February 2026. Faculty participants are encouraged to meet regularly with their learning pods throughout the program.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2 In-person, University of Idaho |
NIH R01 Development Workshop, Part 1 (Developing and Funding an NIH R01; Specific Aims) AtKisson Training Group |
| Mid-April 2025 | Specific Aims and NIH Biographical Sketch due for review |
| Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20 In-person, University of Idaho |
NIH R01 Development Workshop, Part 2 (Research Strategy) AtKisson Training Group |
| October 2025 | Full proposal due for non-technical review |
| December 2025 | Full proposal due for technical review (date to be coordinated with Research Development) |
| Thursday, February 5, 2026 | NIH R01 submission |
| NOTE: Additional activities may be scheduled in addition to the above. |
|
Eligibility
USU faculty who are conducting research in areas fundable by NIH and who have not yet received R01 support as a principal investigator are eligible to apply. Travel to the host institution (University of Idaho in Moscow, ID) for the two in-person workshops in April and May is required to participate in the cohort. Please refer to the Program Support section below for more information on program expenses.
Applications
All eligible USU faculty are invited to apply for the InterFACE: NIH R01 Academy. To apply, applicants must submit the following as a single PDF file:
- An NIH Specific Aims page (one page maximum)
- An NIH biosketch
- One paragraph describing the project’s significance and one paragraph describing the project’s innovation (one page maximum)
- A short statement describing the applicant’s interest in and readiness for the InterFACE: NIH R01 Academy, including details about relevant publications and availability of preliminary/feasibility data (one page maximum)
Applications to participate in the 2025 cohort are due by Friday, January 24, 2025.
Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed internally by Office of Research senior administrators. Application review criteria include:
- A clear connection between the applicant’s project aims and level of readiness for program participation (e.g., record of relevant peer-reviewed publications and availability of preliminary/feasibility data).
- Alignment between the applicant’s project aims and opportunities for NIH R01 support.
In consultation with senior administrators in the applicants’ colleges/departments, Research Development will make participant selection decisions in late January.
Program Support
The Office of Research will cover the following costs for selected faculty:
- Fees for in-person workshops provided by AtKisson Training Group
- 50% of travel costs to the in-person workshops, held at the 2025 host institution (University of Idaho)
- NOTE: The remaining 50% of travel costs to the in-person workshops must be covered by the faculty member's college/department
- Costs associated with individualized proposal mentoring and reviews provided by AtKisson Training Group
2024 Cohort
Jeffrey Mason
Associate Professor
Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences | College of Veterinary Medicine
"The Academy provided a supportive community and a structured approach to grant writing, which helped me to refine my research questions, strengthen my current proposal, and develop a clear plan for this and future submissions. As a result, I feel more confident and better prepared to submit a competitive R01 application."
"The in-person workshops of the Academy were impactful, offering valuable guidance on the importance of the Specific Aims page, strategies for choosing collaborators, defining project scope, and developing all parts of the proposal. These experiences have significantly improved my ability to approach R01 proposal development with more confidence and clarity."
"Writing a competitive R01 application from an institution without a medical school has been challenge in my field. By participating in the Academy, I learned workable strategies and tips for every document required for an R01 application. Learning from the Academy was truly rewarding and will help my future R01 application."
Questions?
For questions about the InterFACE: NIH R01 Academy, contact Jeri Hansen, Director of Research Development.