The Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award provides researchers with funds to plan and conduct circumscribed research projects to generate preliminary data that will be valuable in enhancing the competitiveness of future grant proposals submitted to external sponsors. While financial support may be obtained from any external sponsor, proposals that target federal funding agencies are of greatest interest.
The Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award will consist of three subprograms: (1) Large Program Award; (2) STEM Program Award; and (3) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Research Award. All funds will be awarded after the completion of a competitive scientific peer review and a programmatic review.
The program is not to support planning and other activities by which research teams and partnerships are developed, or planning activities supported that will enable submission of a competitive research proposal. Also, this program is not meant to support the means by which investigators can share information and ideas; plan the myriad of activities necessary for the development of a research proposal; coordinate ongoing or planned research activities; foster synthesis and new collaborations; develop community standards; or in other ways advance science and education through communication and sharing of ideas. The exclusive focus of the Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award is on the generation of preliminary data.
Applicants may only submit one proposal application award cycle as the corresponding PI. Applicants may serve as co-PIs or collaborators on more than one proposal application per award cycle.
For additional information, and to download the Request for Proposals, please click here.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the Research Initiatives & Infrastructure team at rii@usc.edu.
This portal requires information about the PIs and Co-PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.
FY25_RII_ZPSRA
The Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award provides researchers with funds to plan and conduct circumscribed research projects to generate preliminary data that will be valuable in enhancing the competitiveness of future grant proposals submitted to external sponsors. While financial support may be obtained from any external sponsor, proposals that target federal funding agencies are of greatest interest.
The Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award will consist of three subprograms: (1) Large Program Award; (2) STEM Program Award; and (3) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Research Award. All funds will be awarded after the completion of a competitive scientific peer review and a programmatic review.
The program is not to support planning and other activities by which research teams and partnerships are developed, or planning activities supported that will enable submission of a competitive research proposal. Also, this program is not meant to support the means by which investigators can share information and ideas; plan the myriad of activities necessary for the development of a research proposal; coordinate ongoing or planned research activities; foster synthesis and new collaborations; develop community standards; or in other ways advance science and education through communication and sharing of ideas. The exclusive focus of the Zumberge Preliminary Studies Research Award is on the generation of preliminary data.
Applicants may only submit one proposal application award cycle as the corresponding PI. Applicants may serve as co-PIs or collaborators on more than one proposal application per award cycle.
For additional information, and to download the Request for Proposals, please click here.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the Research Initiatives & Infrastructure team at rii@usc.edu.
This portal requires information about the PIs and Co-PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.