The Research Development Office (RDO), within the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), helps researchers succeed with their pursuit of external funding. The RDO team coordinates campus-wide initiatives, manages internal funding programs, oversees limited submission opportunities, connects faculty to resources and collaborators, and provides guidance to maximize the impact of research proposals and creative works. 

Growing Campus Connections

Sign up to be added to the RDO mailing list to receive the RDO Monthly Newsletter and other timely information.

Funding Opportunities

Limited Submission Opportunities

The RDO manages the Limited Submission Opportunities process for grant applications to funding agencies that restrict the number of submissions allowed from an institution. An internal selection process has been established to make sure that multiple applications to the limited program do not render each other ineligible by the sponsor.

Arts and Humanities Initiative

The RDO coordinates the Arts & Humanities Initiative (AHI), an internal funding program within the OVPR that encourages leading edge scholarship, creative activities, and interdisciplinary research. Three grant categories are available.

The deadline for Spring 2026 applications is Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

OVPR Large Grant Development Opportunity

The OVPR invites applications to the Large Grant Development Opportunity for funding to support development of large disciplinary grant proposals, including: building interdisciplinary research teams, conducting pilot research, and finalizing grant submissions.

The application deadline for the next cycle will be January 31, 2027.

Upcoming Events

Maximizing Pivot to Find Funding and Collaborators (March 2026) promotional image

Maximizing Pivot to Find Funding and Collaborators (March 2026)

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 2:00pm to 3:00pm
University Capitol Centre

Do you want to maximize your time spent searching for funding opportunities or potential project collaborators? Join us to learn how Pivot can save you time and effort in identifying the right funding opportunities for your research lines as well as identifying collaborators with the relevant expertise.

Register here. The RDO will send a calendar invitation with room location upon registration.

Pivot Administrative Features: Connect Your Researchers to Funding Opportunities promotional image

Pivot Administrative Features: Connect Your Researchers to Funding Opportunities

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Virtual

Are you looking for ways to assist researchers with identifying grant funding opportunities? Are you wanting to learn more about the enhanced administrative features of Pivot? Join us for this virtual information session on Tuesday, March 31 from 2pm-3pm.

Topics include crafting and saving funding opportunity searches, creating calendars and newsletters, sharing and tracking opportunities, editing profiles, and enabling weekly email alerts. We will also discuss how to request access to the...

EPSCoR Lunch and Learn Series - NSF Session promotional image

EPSCoR Lunch and Learn Series - NSF Session

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 12:00pm to 1:00pm
MERGE

The University of Iowa is eligible for EPSCoR funding from four federal agencies: DoD, DOE, NASA, and NSF. The purpose of the EPSCoR Lunch and Learn Series is to promote EPSCoR opportunities and connect faculty with successful awardees. EPSCoR enhances science and technology in states with fewer federal R&D funds. Sessions include agency-specific opportunities, panel insights, and a Q&A. Lunch is provided.The University of Iowa is eligible for EPSCoR funding from four federal agencies: DoD, DOE...

View more events