Overview
The Research Development Fellows Program (RDFP) is an Office of Research and Innovation (R&I) initiative designed to provide early career faculty with the information, resources, and approaches necessary to position themselves for success in securing external funding for their research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.
Content
The RDFP is an academic year-long program consisting of a combination of learning sessions and interactive workshops. These activities are designed to help fellows be strategic in laying a strong foundation for research success as an early career faculty member. RDFP learning activities are complemented by consultations with University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) administrators and faculty colleagues.
Program Outcomes
Fellows will enhance competitiveness for extramural funding by:
- Constructing a concept paper summarizing a project for which they will pursue external funding.
- Devising a five-year plan to strategically pursue external funding.
- Developing a concise verbal presentation to effectively communicate their research to various audiences.
Eligibility
Applications are welcome from full-time UNL faculty at the assistant-level rank who are in the early stages of developing a research, scholarship, or creative endeavors program. Fellows who participate in the RDFP may not re-apply in subsequent years.
Information Session
R&I will host a virtual information session to answer questions about the program on Wednesday, September 2, from 12-12:30 p.m. Register for the session here.
Application Process
Applications to participate in the 2026-27 RDFP must be submitted by 5 p.m. CDT on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. The application portal can be found here.
Application Materials
Applicants must upload and submit their application materials in a single PDF file in the application portal to complete the application submission process. Instructions for combining separate PDF files in Adobe Acrobat are available here.
To apply to participate in the Research Development Fellows Program (RDFP), please prepare the following materials:
1) A document (no more than two pages) that:
- Summarizes your vision for your research, scholarship, or creative activity.
- Provides a list of potential funders you intend to target for support.
- Describes your level of readiness to participate in RDFP (e.g., information about relevant preliminary data, roles on prior grant-funded projects, other prior work, publications, etc.). Note that selection priority will be given to faculty who have not previously received independent funding.
- Describes how RDFP will help you achieve your research vision.
2) Your full curriculum vitae or resume.
Selection Criteria
Several criteria are used to select faculty invited to participate in RDFP, including:
- The applicant’s ability to articulate a vision that will provide the basis for a program of research, scholarship, or creative endeavors that aligns with institutional goals and federal agency priorities.
- The readiness of the applicant for RDFP, as evidenced by the applicant’s body of work and the extent to which it dovetails with their vision. Relevant factors may include prior work, demonstrations of proof-of-concept, preliminary data, peer-reviewed publications, prior grant seeking or getting experience, and access to research development supports at the department, center, or college/division levels. Selection priority will be given to faculty who have not previously competed successfully as a faculty PI for an external, peer-reviewed grant that supports a significant portion of their research, scholarship or creative endeavors program.
- The applicant’s ability to articulate how RDFP will help them achieve their vision.
Applicant Notification
The applicant notification process will be completed by early October. Fellows are expected to attend all program activities, which occur roughly once per month from October to May. To complete the program, participants must accomplish program outcomes.
2026-2027 Schedule*
| Date | Time | Location |
| October 15 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| November 19 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| December 10 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| January 14 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| February 11 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| February 19 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Willa Cather Dining Center, Red Cloud Suite |
| March 4 | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| March 24 | 12 to 1 p.m. | virtual |
| April 1 | 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| April 22 | 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Nebraska Union, Platte Room |
For More Information
For more information, contact Heather Borck, research development coordinator, 402-472-4090.
Related Resources
Office of Proposal Development
Office of Sponsored Programs
Research Administration Essentials (formerly NURAMP)
NuRamp
Research Days
