The Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (AR INBRE) invites faculty with research interests in the biomedical sciences at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) to apply to the Arkansas INBRE Developmental Research Project Program (DRPP). 

A funding mechanism for 1-year Pilot Projects (PPs), is offered to all PUI faculty within the Arkansas INBRE network. PUI faculty currently supported as a recipient of the DRPP’s Research Project award (two years in length) are not eligible to apply. Undergraduate student participation in the research is a requirement. 

Pilot Projects

The DRPP will offer PP funding for up to 12 months with a direct cost budget not to exceed $50,000. Project Leaders will be required to commit 3-person months (25% annual effort) to the project during the award period with Letters of Support from Department Chairs or upper administration officials if needed. Project Leaders will be required to include a minimum of two undergraduate students in the project. 

The DRPP anticipates awarding six PPs to start May 2026. 

These awards are intended to strengthen the research capacity at the PUIs by providing funding for biomedical research performed by faculty and students and help individual faculty conduct biomedical research in their own PUI laboratory. 

Eligible applicants include full-time permanent faculty members with an unmodified title at the rank of Assistant Professor, or higher, at the PUIs in Arkansas. Investigators from the Arkansas INBRE Lead Institutions, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, are not eligible to apply. 

Each PUI Project Leader is required to identify a research Mentor, from one of the two Arkansas INBRE Lead Institutions, with expertise in the scientific area of the proposed research. If you have any questions or need help identifying a suitable mentor, please contact Dr. Jerry Ware, Director of the Arkansas INBRE DRPP. 

Attendance at an Arkansas INBRE-sponsored Grant Writing Workshop is mandatory prior to any submission.

• PP Funding Period: May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027
• Minimum Effort: 25% commitment (3 calendar months) to the project
• Minimum: Two (2) undergraduate students annually
• Maximum Request: $50,000 Direct Costs per year
  • Indirect costs (F&A) are in addition to the allowable direct costs and are calculated based on the PUIs negotiated rate.
• Applications Due: November 3, 2025 by 5 pm CT

All applications will be peer reviewed and evaluated on scientific and technical merit along with the involvement of undergraduate students.  Following the peer review process all funding recommendations will be submitted to the AR INBRE External Advisory Committee and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for final approval.

All proposals must be submitted by the signing official of your institution. Completed applications (forms, narrative, references, support letters, IRB/IACUC approvals, etc.) should be sent via email as a single PDF file to INBREApplication@uams.edu. 

DRP FOA Resources

• 2026 INBRE Research Awards – Full FOA and instructions (PDF)
• Personal Data Sheet
• List of Potential Mentors
• UAMS Core Facilities
• UA, Fayetteville Core Facilities
• Sample Budget Pages
• FAQs
• Share our flyer about the PP Award Program (PDF)

AR INBRE Funding Opportunities

• Developmental Research Project Program*: Pilot Projects (PP) and Research Projects (No FOA at this time) and 
• Competitive Shared Instrumentation Awards*
• Research Technology Core Voucher Program (due Jan 1, May 1 and Sept 1)
• Mini-Sabbatical Grants (accepted year-round)
• Research Seminar Funding (accepted year-round)
• Travel Awards (accepted year-round)
• Summer Manuscript Support* (no active FOA at this time)
• New Faculty Recruitment Packages* (no active FOA at this time)

*Funding Announcements are contingent upon the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences receiving an award from the National Institutes of Health with adequate funding for each program component.