WLW-ECOS Interdisciplinary Research Awards

The WLW-ECOS Interdisciplinary Research Awards support new faculty research collaborations focused on solution-oriented environmental research. Five interdisciplinary teams will receive $80,000 each (research-related expenses only; cannot be used to pay faculty, postdoc, or graduate student salaries) to conduct collaborative research, mentor two undergraduate trainees, and develop competitive extramural grant proposals. This program fosters innovative environmental research while providing research experiences for undergraduate students in Biological Sciences, Geosciences, or Chemistry.

Award Amount: $80,000

Research Related Expenses: $65,000 per team (excluding faculty, postdoc, and graduate student salaries)

Undergraduate Trainee Stipend: $7,500 each (two trainees per 18-month award)

Duration: 18 months

Eligibility – Faculty Teams

New (previously unfunded) research collaboration among at least two ECOS-affiliated faculty
Faculty may participate in only one proposal per award cycle
At least one COS faculty from Biological Sciences, Geosciences, or Chemistry and Biochemistry
Solution-oriented environment-related research
Must identify at least four proposed extramural grant proposal options with application dates
Must include a 12-month mentoring plan for two undergraduate research trainees

Eligibility – Undergraduate Trainees

Full-time degree-seeking College of Science students
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Majoring in Biological Sciences, Geosciences, or Chemistry
Trainees must be new to the faculty team (no prior research experience with team members)
Each team must include one freshman or sophomore AND one junior or senior
Selected by faculty research team

Important Dates

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
Decision: June 2026
Award Period: July 2026 through December 2027

Application Requirements

How to Apply

Click Here to apply

See details below for requirements.

Documents Required

Written proposal including a detailed budget and budget justification (10-page limit excluding citations)
12-month mentoring plan for undergraduate trainees
Four proposed extramural grant options with approximate application dates

Selection Criteria

Intellectual merit
Originality of proposed research
Expected impact of research
Quality of mentoring plan
Potential for external funding
Qualifications of faculty team
Two internal faculty expert reviews

Award Reporting Requirements - Faculty Teams

Submit 6-month report detailing research progress and mentoring activities
Submit 12-month comprehensive report detailing research findings, mentoring activities, and external grant application progress
Submit 18-month report describing two extramural grant applications
Submit two extramural grant applications during award period

Award Reporting Requirements - Undergraduate Trainees

Submit final research report describing experience and accomplishments (1,000-word limit)
Present research at ECOS Expo OR to two COS classes (with instructor permission)
Provide photographic or video content to COS communications team for ECOS social media posts