Research Funding Programs
The Office of Research administers internal funding programs and convenes advisory committees that help advance the School of Medicine's research mission. Through strategic investments, faculty support programs, and research planning initiatives, these programs and committees strengthen the research enterprise and promote scientific innovation across the School of Medicine.
Announcements regarding funding opportunities and application review cycles are distributed by the Dean's Office to Department Chairs and research leadership in advance of application deadlines.
Funding Programs
| Program | Upcoming Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| AFL | March 31, 2027, September 29, 2027, & March 29, 2028 |
| Bridge | November 18, 2026. Future cycles: April 28, 2027; July 28, 2027; and November 24, 2027 |
| SIRC | Letter of Intent: March 10, 2027. Full application (if invited): March 31, 2026. Future cycle: September 29, 2027 and March 29, 2028 |
The Across the Finish Line (AFL) Funding Program provides targeted internal funding to support faculty at critical stages of research development. AFL helps investigators generate preliminary data, respond to changing funding landscapes, redirect research programs when needed, and maintain momentum through temporary funding disruptions.
Beginning July 1, 2026, AFL operates through three funding tracks designed to address specific barriers to research advancement:
Preliminary Research Funding
Supports investigators in generating critical data, establishing feasibility, and strengthening future grant applications.
Pivot Funding
Supports adaptation to changing sponsor priorities or strategic redirection of research programs, including faculty affected by changes in federal funding opportunities.
Expanded Gap Funding
Helps investigators maintain research momentum during temporary funding disruptions that do not qualify for traditional bridge funding.
The Bridge Funding Program provides temporary financial support to principal investigators who have lost all major grant funding and are actively preparing a competitive proposal for resubmission. The program is open to full-time faculty at CU Anschutz, Children's Hospital, the VA, and National Jewish, with support available to both established investigators rebuilding after a funding lapse and beginning investigators whose start-up funds have ended without securing independent extramural support. Awards require a 1:1 departmental match, reflecting a shared institutional commitment to keeping productive research programs active through a funding gap. By bridging investigators through this critical period rather than letting momentum stall, the program helps preserve the School of Medicine's research capacity and competitiveness for future funding.
The Strategic Infrastructure for Research Committee (SIRC) directs Academic Enrichment Funds toward shared research infrastructure that benefits the School of Medicine as a whole. Rather than funding individual research projects or investigators, SIRC evaluates proposals for equipment, new core services, and other resources designed to be used by faculty across multiple departments. Strong proposals demonstrate a clear need not already met by existing campus resources, along with a realistic plan to educate and recruit users from across the research community. By investing in infrastructure rather than individual projects, SIRC helps expand the School of Medicine's shared research capacity for the long term.
Search faculty expertise, publications, and research interests through the CU Anschutz Research Profiles directory.