The University of Connecticut EMERGE Phase 3 program provides essential bridge support when funding for an ongoing, externally funded project has been completed, and anticipated follow-on funding has not yet been secured. The purpose of this OVPR support mechanism is to maximize the potential of applicants to re-establish extramural research funding with the shortest possible period of interruption. Applicants must provide evidence that they are actively pursuing renewed external support.
Timeline
Program opens on 7/1/2026
There are no deadlines for this program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The EMERGE Committee will meet whenever a need arises.
Eligibility
UConn faculty are eligible to apply for EMERGE Phase 3 funding if the following conditions have been met:
- Applicant is a full-time UConn Faculty member. UCH faculty are encouraged to explore the HCRAC Emergency Grant program.
- Applicant is the PI / Program Director of an externally reviewed and funded grant that has ended (beginning 7/1/26) or is due to end in the next 3 months.
- For established faculty (Associate Professor rank and higher), the qualifying externally funded grant must have been funded for at least three years prior to ending.
- For early career faculty (Assistant Professor rank), the qualifying externally funded grant must have been funded for at least one year before ending.
- A clear, specific, and feasible external funding plan is presented
- Preference is for evidence that a new external funding proposal has already been submitted.
- In place of a submitted proposal, applicants may provide an overview of their external funding strategy, including details about anticipated submissions (targets, timelines, analysis of competitiveness).
- Applicants who have more than $10,000 in unrestricted individual investigator accounts (IDC/DCA, Startup, research support, etc.) should be prepared to contribute to be eligible for an EMERGE Phase 3 grant.
Award Details/Conditions
EMERGE phase 3 awards will be proportional to the size of the base grant (the previously externally funded grant that has ended) or the pending grant (a new external grant that is being pursued). 6-month awards will be capped at 20 percent of average annual direct costs of the base grant, or 20% of estimated average annual direct costs of the pending grant, whichever is least.
- Example: A base grant had annual direct costs of $500K, and the pending grant is expected to have annual direct costs of $700K. The maximum amount available under phase 3 would be $100K for the 6-month period. If the pending grant had annual direct costs of $400K, the maximum would be $80K.
- Renewal is possible for additional six-month periods upon further application if the applicant meets the required conditions. See below.
- Funds may be used for personnel salary (research staff, grad students, postdocs, special payroll), fringe benefits, supplies, animal care, participant costs, contractual services, etc.
- Funds may not be used for tenured/tenure track faculty salary, faculty summer salary, conference travel, publication costs, or course buyouts.
- If new extramural grant funds become available to the investigator during the period of the emergency award, any unspent balance in the EMERGE Phase 3 project will be returned.Awardees must report new external funding awards to the EMERGE committee.
Renewals
1st renewal (Second Six-month Period) Beyond the first six-month award, a second six-month award is conditional upon the demonstration of substantive progress toward the goal of re-obtaining extramural funding. Expected milestones will be established at the time of the initial award, and may include:
- Submission of a new external funding proposal, if one hasn’t already been submitted (submitted proposal must be shared)
- Receiving strong reviews on new funding proposals (reviewer feedback or scores must be shared)
- Correspondence from their program officer related to the status of the grant (i.e. likelihood of funding).
- An overview of progress to date on efforts to restore external funding.
2nd renewal (Third Six-month Period) Third six-month period bridge is available only in extreme circumstances with strong justification. If a third bridge is needed, the PI should reach out to the OVPR for guidance on the criteria needed for justification.
EMERGE Phase 3 Bridge Support
The University of Connecticut EMERGE Phase 3 program provides essential bridge support when funding for an ongoing, externally funded project has been completed, and anticipated follow-on funding has not yet been secured. The purpose of this OVPR support mechanism is to maximize the potential of applicants to re-establish extramural research funding with the shortest possible period of interruption. Applicants must provide evidence that they are actively pursuing renewed external support.
Timeline
Program opens on 7/1/2026
There are no deadlines for this program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The EMERGE Committee will meet whenever a need arises.
Eligibility
UConn faculty are eligible to apply for EMERGE Phase 3 funding if the following conditions have been met:
- Applicant is a full-time UConn Faculty member. UCH faculty are encouraged to explore the HCRAC Emergency Grant program.
- Applicant is the PI / Program Director of an externally reviewed and funded grant that has ended (beginning 7/1/26) or is due to end in the next 3 months.
- For established faculty (Associate Professor rank and higher), the qualifying externally funded grant must have been funded for at least three years prior to ending.
- For early career faculty (Assistant Professor rank), the qualifying externally funded grant must have been funded for at least one year before ending.
- A clear, specific, and feasible external funding plan is presented
- Preference is for evidence that a new external funding proposal has already been submitted.
- In place of a submitted proposal, applicants may provide an overview of their external funding strategy, including details about anticipated submissions (targets, timelines, analysis of competitiveness).
- Applicants who have more than $10,000 in unrestricted individual investigator accounts (IDC/DCA, Startup, research support, etc.) should be prepared to contribute to be eligible for an EMERGE Phase 3 grant.
Award Details/Conditions
EMERGE phase 3 awards will be proportional to the size of the base grant (the previously externally funded grant that has ended) or the pending grant (a new external grant that is being pursued). 6-month awards will be capped at 20 percent of average annual direct costs of the base grant, or 20% of estimated average annual direct costs of the pending grant, whichever is least.
- Example: A base grant had annual direct costs of $500K, and the pending grant is expected to have annual direct costs of $700K. The maximum amount available under phase 3 would be $100K for the 6-month period. If the pending grant had annual direct costs of $400K, the maximum would be $80K.
- Renewal is possible for additional six-month periods upon further application if the applicant meets the required conditions. See below.
- Funds may be used for personnel salary (research staff, grad students, postdocs, special payroll), fringe benefits, supplies, animal care, participant costs, contractual services, etc.
- Funds may not be used for tenured/tenure track faculty salary, faculty summer salary, conference travel, publication costs, or course buyouts.
- If new extramural grant funds become available to the investigator during the period of the emergency award, any unspent balance in the EMERGE Phase 3 project will be returned.Awardees must report new external funding awards to the EMERGE committee.
Renewals
1st renewal (Second Six-month Period) Beyond the first six-month award, a second six-month award is conditional upon the demonstration of substantive progress toward the goal of re-obtaining extramural funding. Expected milestones will be established at the time of the initial award, and may include:
- Submission of a new external funding proposal, if one hasn’t already been submitted (submitted proposal must be shared)
- Receiving strong reviews on new funding proposals (reviewer feedback or scores must be shared)
- Correspondence from their program officer related to the status of the grant (i.e. likelihood of funding).
- An overview of progress to date on efforts to restore external funding.
2nd renewal (Third Six-month Period) Third six-month period bridge is available only in extreme circumstances with strong justification. If a third bridge is needed, the PI should reach out to the OVPR for guidance on the criteria needed for justification.