InterFACE: NIH R01
InterFACE – Faculty Academy for Competitive Excellence – is a multi-institutional initiative to support faculty developing competitive proposals for external funding. The program was co-developed by research development professionals at Montana State University, the University of Idaho, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nevada, Reno and Utah State University.
In 2025, InterFACE will focus on the strategic development of R01 (research project grant) applications to the National Institutes of Health. The Office of Research and Innovation will select a limited number of UNL faculty to participate in the program through a university-wide application process. More information is available in the Applications section of this page.
Format
Through didactic and experiential learning, small group collaboration and expert consultation, InterFACE: NIH R01 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
Scheduled activities follow*:
| Date | Session |
| Tuesday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2 (Moscow, Idaho) | NIH R01 Development Workshop, Part 1 AtKisson Training Group |
| Wednesday, April 16 | Specific Aims and NIH Biographical Sketch due for review |
| Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20 (Moscow, Idaho)* | NIH R01 Development Workshop, Part 2 AtKisson Training Group |
| Oct. 1, 2025 | Full proposal due for non-technical review |
| December 2025 | Full proposal due for technical review (determine date with Office of Proposal Development |
| Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 | NIH R01 submission |
| Additional activities may be scheduled. *Travel to the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, is required to participate in this cohort. The Office of Research and Innovation will provide financial resources for these travel expenses. | |
Eligibility
UNL faculty who are conducting research in areas fundable by NIH and who have not yet received R01 support as principal investigators and those who have not participated in NU 2 NIH or InterFACE: NIH R01 are eligible to apply.
Applications
All eligible UNL faculty are invited to apply for InterFACE: NIH R01. 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 InterFACE: NIH R01, including details about relevant publications and availability of preliminary/feasibility data (one page maximum).
Applications to participate in the 2024 program are due by 5 p.m. CST on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
Review and Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed internally by R&I 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/divisions, R&I will make participant selection decisions in late January.
Additional Information
For additional information about InterFACE: NIH R01, contact Heather Borck, research development program coordinator.
