Developing Industry Research, Exchange, Cooperation, and Travel (DIRECT) Grant

Developing Industry Research, Exchange, Cooperation, and Travel (DIRECT) Grant is sponsored by IU Research - Indiana University. This internal funding opportunity supports faculty in building research collaborations with industry colleagues.

Funding & Proposal Support Developing Industry Research, Exchange, Cooperation, and Travel (DIRECT) Grant Developing Industry Research, Exchange, Cooperation, and Travel (DIRECT) Grant Developing Industry Research, Exchange, Cooperation, and Travel (DIRECT) Grant Alicia Gahimer, ord@iu.

edu Open through September 30, 2026 based on available funding Guidelines and Instructions The IU Research Developing Industry Research, Exchange, Cooperation, and Travel (DIRECT) internal grant program is a new internal funding opportunity designed to support faculty in building research collaborations with industry colleagues.

Research collaborations between industry and academia in the US are shifting away from traditional, transactional, one-off projects toward long-term, strategic partnerships. Driven by the need for rapid technological advancement and a desire to diversify funding, these partnerships now focus on integrating research directly with workforce development and regional economic growth.

The purpose of the DIRECT program is to provide opportunities for faculty to develop new collaborations with industry colleagues, ultimately leading to externally funded research benefiting IU faculty and industry partners alike. DIRECT is a flexible exchange program to expose faculty to the needs and realities of industry research and to likewise introduce industry researchers to the academic research environment.

Allowing faculty to work in an industry research setting will provide insight into the machinery of creating translational research as well as the pace, path, and process of industry research. Similarly, allowing industry colleagues to work side-by-side with university faculty on fundamental research holds the promise of providing similar insights while building long-term relationships.

At the end of a grant period, faculty and industry colleagues will have: Built a collaboration to develop a research solution of mutual interest. Pursued preliminary work leading to long-term externally funded research sponsored by a federal agency or industry.

Program Details for Faculty The duration of a DIRECT grant will be one year, during which the awardee may use the award for networking in an industry setting via one or more visits to engage with industry collaborators. A faculty applicant may propose an industry collaborator who meets the collaborative standards defined and approved by IU Research.

Alternatively, IU Research can assist faculty in searching for research topics, associated industries, and industry personnel with whom faculty may develop research projects. Faculty may submit proposals to the DIRECT program addressing their expertise in one or more selected research topics, provided along with a desire to work in an industry setting.

Proposals must be accompanied by a letter from the department chair or school dean and a letter from an industry collaborator providing approval from their supervisor to participate in the DIRECT program. Faculty must submit a final report (no more than five pages) on their activities, including future planned activities and external grant applications, at the end of the DIRECT award period.

Reverse Visit: Alternate Program Details For Industry Researchers As an alternative to the above, faculty may write a proposal to invite industry researchers to IU so that industry colleagues may experience research in a university setting. On-campus activities should include engaging industry partners with university faculty through seminars, lectures, or other activities.

Proposals for the industry researcher visit must be accompanied by an approval from the supervisor of the industry partner. Travel expenses for industry research partners may be covered by this award. Faculty researchers will be provided with a maximum award of $10,000 to cover related expenses associated with their collaborative visit(s).

Office for Research Development (ORD) intends to make ten awards.

Industry Topics, Partners, and Researchers There are two mechanisms by which faculty may select industry collaborators: The first is via IU strategic investments in partnership with NSWC Crane (and its many industrial partners) and advancing life sciences and biotechnology innovation via IU LAB in which IU Research assists faculty in choosing from a list of existing topics and industry collaborators supplied by IU Research.

The second mechanism allows faculty to select industry partners and topics of their own choice with the approval of IU Research to best align strategic areas of current and future opportunities for IU. Develop new industry partnerships and collaborations with IU researchers. Develop faculty for research in collaboration with industry.

Accelerate readiness for large-scale external funding with industry partners. Development of future workforce for industry partners targeted in this program. Development of translational research for industry commercialization.

DIRECT grant award up to $10,000. Support for team formation, proposal development, and strategic engagement. Optional training to prepare faculty to collaborate and work in an industry environment.

All full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty Full-time research scientists, center directors, and Research Innovator Career Track staff Funding and Proposal Requirements Project duration: no more than one year Allowable expenses: Awards may be used for travel, food, lodging, and approved incidental research expenses.

While the primary purpose of the program is to develop new teams and research directions, expenses used to develop these directions may be approved. Examples include production of preliminary data, development of a concept paper, production of drafts, or other activities that may be used to strengthen external funding proposals. Not allowable: Salary, course release, and teaching program development.

Applications for new projects or collaborations will receive priority for this program. Proposals that present external funding possibilities at the end of the research period will receive priority for this program. Proposed industry partners must be approved by IU Research and the IU Research Security Office (RSO).

Proposed industries will be screened by ORD in collaboration with RSO. Faculty are encouraged to contact ORD regarding their proposed industry partner before initiating a proposal. Domestic industry partnerships will receive priority.

Submissions are accepted continually based on the availability of funding. ORD intends to make ten awards. Submit your application and attachments as one PDF document through the InfoReady portal.

Applicant Information (including fiscal officer and account number) Research Expertise (max 2 pages) Qualifications for the selected topic Plan for external funding Letter from Department Chair Letter of Collaboration from Industry Partner.

In cases in which IUR assists with the selection of an industry colleague, ORD will work with the faculty and industry partner prior to submission of the application to obtain industry approval and necessary collaboration letters.

Biosketches (NIH/NSF format or equivalent) Proposals submitted in response to this RFP must not contain any data or materials subject to U.S. export control laws, including, but not limited to, the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 C. F. R.

§§ 730–774) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 C. F. R.

§§ 120–130). Applicants must ensure that: No export-controlled technology or technical data are included in the proposal submission. If the performance of any resulting award may involve access to export-controlled information or technology, technical data, or items, the applicant must: Notify the Research Security Office (RSO) at rsohelp@iu.

edu Work with the RSO to ensure that all required licenses, agreements, or other authorizations are obtained prior to disclosure Work with RSO to implement appropriate Technology Control Plans to prevent unauthorized access by foreign persons, in accordance with applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations Submit external funding proposal(s) within 12–18 months. Acknowledge IU and industry partners in all products.

Submit progress and final reports, including ROI metrics (e.g., submissions, awards, publications, patents). For questions, contact Alicia Gahimer at ord@iu. edu .

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