Principal Investigator (PI) Academy
Principal Investigator (PI) Academy connects early‑career CU Boulder faculty with the people, funding, and campus knowledge it takes to turn research ideas, innovation and creative work into funded opportunities. The program is for scholars from the humanities to the sciences. Bold ideas have no boundaries.
This Year's Kickoff
- When: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 @ 8:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
- Where: Center for Global British & Irish Studies, Norlin Library (5th floor)
- What: A one-stop introduction to the people and resources that support research at CU Boulder
Senior Vice Chancellor Massimo Ruzzenne will kick us off and attendees will hear from leadership across RIO and connect with the offices essential to proposal submission. By the end of the day, faculty will understand the proposal development to submission process at CU Boulder.
The kickoff is simply an opportunity to learn more—there's no commitment beyond attending. If you choose, you can then join a cohort that supports you over the next nine months as you develop and submit your first proposal at CU Boulder—whether large or small, in the sciences, arts or humanities. What matters is that you get started.
Benefits
Participation in PI Academy includes the following benefits:
- Faculty Network—Build a network with faculty leaders and peers from across campus.
- Workshops—Foundational offerings that will support you in your research.
- Funding Strategy—Assistance in identifying relevant funding opportunities.
- Proposal Development Support—Priority access to services including strategic grant writing advice and proposal development, editing, proofreading and rigorous proposal review.
The Year-Long Arc
One year. Four stages. One submission.
You'll move through the year alongside a cohort of new faculty, connected with our dedicated research development team and an accountability peer.
1. Launch
September 2
Half-day series: ecosystem, funding, tools and peer learning
2. Funding Strategies
October—November
Seed grant clinic, federal landscape, funding strategies, broader impacts
3. Develop
November—March
Proposal workshops, peer review, NSF CAREER and NEH series
4. Submit
March—May
Draft clinic, submission support
Our goal is simple: Every faculty member submits at least one internal or external funding application before May 2027.
Your Support Structure
Check in every two weeks
- Share progress on your funding target
- Attend core programming together
Connect as needed
- Funding identification and strategy
- Proposal review and development
Engage early—before you submit
- PSR form and budget development
- Proposal routing, compliance and sponsor submission
Eligibility
Built for your first three years.
PI Academy is for eligible CU Boulder PIs within the first three years of their CU Boulder academic appointment, at the level of Assistant Professor or the equivalent. You may register at any time of year—the program cadence runs from September through May.
Interested but not yet eligible? Register your interest and we'll reach out when you are.