PI AcademyIn the fall of 2017, the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) launched the Principal Investigator (PI) Academy program to orient early career, tenure-track faculty to CU Boulder’s research community and resources. Through the PI Academy, presenters and facilitators actively engage faculty on a number of “core” research topics to ensure early investigators are well-positioned to apply for and secure external funding for their research, scholarly and creative endeavors. 

Since fall 2017, PI Academy has had great success, more than doubling in participation from its first to second year. There are over 100 PI Academy graduates across campus, and over 20 more current participants. Graduates and participants represent a range of departments, colleges and institutes, with participants from the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering & Applied Science and the College of Media, Communication and Information.

Register for PI Academy Here

Resources

On this page:

Benefits

Participation in the PI Academy includes the following benefits:

  • Faculty Network—Build a network with faculty leaders and peers from across campus.
  • Workshops—Priority workshop registration.
  • Strategic Career and Research Coaching—One-on-one coaching on strategies to develop your individual research, scholarly or creative work plan.
  • Identify Funding—One-on-one assistance in identifying relevant funding opportunities.
  • Get to Know Campus Leaders—Roundtable discussions with campus leaders; past sessions have included the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation and Associate Deans for Research.
  • FRPA Reportable—Certificate of Completion (reportable on your annual Faculty Report of Professional Activities). 

Eligibility

The PI Academy is geared toward tenure-track faculty who are within the first three years of their CU Boulder academic appointment at the level of Assistant Professor or the equivalent. If you are interested in participating, but do not fall into this category, please contact the RIO Research Development Team at: rio@colorado.edu.

Registration & Requirements

Register Here

Note: To receive a Certificate of Completion, faculty must attend a minimum of 6 different PI Academy workshops over an 18-month period.

Upcoming Webinars

Fall 2021 Webinars

Amber Cassady of Lewis-Burke Associates will host a webinar on Thursday, September 23rd at 12:15 PM MT that provides an overview on how the Department of Defense (DOD) funds science and technology research and development. The overview will introduce DOD research and development organizations, funding agencies, programs, and strategies for interacting with the DOD agencies. The webinar will also advise on how to successfully compete for DOD research funds and provide follow on support for future engagement plans. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

Please register by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, to receive the Zoom link for the session.

  • Who: All CU Boulder Faculty & Research Staff
  • When: Thursday, September 23, 2021, 12:15–1:15 p.m. MT
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom

Register Here

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) invites Faculty, Staff, postdocs, and students to learn how to set up funding alerts specific to your research through SPIN, an online database of funding opportunities. In this interactive workshop, Donna Axel of the Research & Innovation Office will walk you through logging in and setting up SPIN for optimal output of External Funding opportunities.

To access SPIN, you will need to have your VPN activated and CU Boulder identikey credentials.

To register log in to your CU Boulder Zoom with your CU Boulder identikey credentials before clicking on "Register Here" below.

  • Who: All CU Boulder Faculty, Research Staff and Students
  • When: Monday, October 4, 2021, 10–11:30 a.m. MT
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom

Register Here

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) invites Faculty, Staff, postdocs, and students to learn how to recycle your proposal using Dimensions, an innovative grants and funder database providing insights into research activities from multiple perspectives allowing CU Boulder stakeholders to analyze and understand the funding landscape across the U.S. and around the globe. In this interactive workshop, Donna Axel of the Research & Innovation Office will walk you through logging in and how to use Dimensions to achieve optimal results.

To access Dimensions, you will need to have your VPN activated and CU Boulder identikey credentials.

To register log in to your CU Boulder Zoom with your CU Boulder identikey credentials before clicking on "Register Here" below.

  • Who: All CU Boulder Faculty, Research Staff and Students
  • When: Thursday, October 21, 2021, 10–10:30 a.m. MT
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom

Register Here

Led by the United States government in partnership with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach or pursue important research and professional projects.

Join us for an interactive virtual presentation on Thursday, October 28 to learn more about how to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program.

The discussion will be led by an Outreach & Recruitment Specialist from the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

  • Who: All CU Boulder Faculty, Research Staff and Students interested in the Fulbright Program
  • When: Thursday, October 28, 2021, 12:30–1:30 p.m. MT
  • Where: Virtual

Register Here

As many experienced researchers will tell you, developing a positive relationship with a Federal Agency Program Officer can have long-lasting, beneficial impacts on your career. But how do you initiate contact?

Faculty at all four CU campuses are invited to join the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), the Office of Government Relations and representatives from Lewis-Burke Associates in this conversation about how to effectively communicate and develop a relationship with a Program Officer.

Lewis-Burke Associates (LBA) is a government relations firm advocating for the University of Colorado at the federal level.  

  • Who: All University of Colorado PIs
  • When: Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 12–1 p.m. MT
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom

Register Here

Join the Research & Innovation Office for a discussion about the Research & Innovation Seed Grant Program. Designed to catalyze new areas of research, scholarship and creative work, the Seed Grant Program awards nearly $1 million annually to Boulder faculty across all disciplines. At this event, RIO will convene a panel of previous Seed Grant recipients; attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear from previous grantees about their experience securing a Research & Innovation Seed Grant.

To register log in to your CU Boulder Zoom with your CU Boulder identikey credentials before clicking on "Register Here" below.

  • Who: All CU Boulder Faculty interested in applying to the RIO Seed Grant
  • When: Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 12–1:30 p.m. MT
  • Where: Virtual via Zoom

Register Here

* Zoom is committed to providing accessible meetings for all. Additional information regarding specific features, documents, and support can be found here. 

Faculty Grant Writing Groups

Grant writing is an important aspect in the careers of faculty members across campus, however, it often takes a back seat to other faculty responsibilities. Given the significance of grant writing to early career faculty advancement, the Research & Innovation Office (RIO) recognizes the importance of supporting faculty grant writing efforts through facilitating faculty grant writing groups.

Faculty grant writing groups provide dedicated time and space for faculty members to write, hold oneself (and one another) accountable on writing goals, exchange ideas across disciplines, and receive peer support and feedback on writing efforts.

Visit RIO's Faculty Grant Writing Groups webpage to learn more. Sign up to join or start a new faculty grant writing group. 

Fill out this interest form to join or start a faculty grant writing group.

Please note that writing groups typically form in August/September, December, and May, so it is a good idea to indicate your interest in one of these months.