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 2026, 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
InterFACE: NIH R01 programming is set to occur March through May 2026 (see below). This programming will be followed by two rounds of proposal review during the fall with an intended proposal submission date in February 2027.
Scheduled activities follow*:
| Date | Session |
| March 31 (half-day virtual) | Before you Begin to Write AtKisson Training Group |
| Monday, April 13, and Tuesday, April 14 (Lincoln, NE) | NIH R01 Development Workshop, Part 1 AtKisson Training Group |
| Monday, May 4 | Specific Aims and NIH Biographical Sketch due for review |
| Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19 (Lincoln, NE) | NIH R01 Development Workshop, Part 2 AtKisson Training Group |
| October 2026** | Full proposal due for non-technical review |
| December 2026** | Full proposal due for technical review (determine date with Office of Proposal Development) |
| Friday, Feb. 5, 2027 | NIH R01 submission |
| *Additional activities may be scheduled. **Timeline can be adjusted to target October submission date. | |
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 2026 program are due by 5 p.m. CST on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
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.
