Big Idea Challenge

The Big Idea Challenge will focus on U of A's six strategic research pillars:

1. Defense and National Security
2. Energy and Environmental Sustainability
3. Health and Biomedical Sciences
4. The Human Experience
5. Data, Information Systems and AI
6. Space Sciences

In addressing these themes, successful proposals will be cross-cutting and multi-faceted, integrating equal-foot contributions to the overall project from faculty in the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, professional programs, and STEM disciplines. Proposals that cut across these topics (within, or even preferably across, themes) and bring multiple areas together in the pursuit of a big idea are highly encouraged and will be given priority.

It is understood that these topics often overlap and do not exist as isolated silos, and as such should only be interpreted as examples and a guide. 

For example, emerging diseases related to environmental change, global security, and the future of health, can greatly affect the dynamics of communities. 

We encourage bringing together faculty from multiple disciplines and connecting the worlds of art, science, and technology to thrive as interrelated, mutually informing modes of exploration, knowledge, and discovery. 

Exponential advances in AI/ML and digital technologies are, today more than ever, impacting the ways in which we live, learn and work in ways that are not fully understood; the ethical, legal, and societal implications of this digital transformation are complex and in need of deep scholarly thought and innovative approaches and solutions. 

Additionally, while progress is taking place in rebalancing the global energy systems toward more sustainable solutions, this progress is slow and new transformative solutions that can move the planet from a situation of energy scarcity to a mentality of energy abundance are urgently needed.

Written proposals shall not exceed three pages (single spaced, 12-point font, Times Roman) and will be evaluated to select projects for an oral presentation. 

The written proposal should include:

• A brief executive summary that articulates the global grand challenge the proposal aims to impact, the proposal’s Big Idea, and the potential impact of the idea.
• A brief description of the unmet need that the Big Idea tackles.
• What are the goals and expected outcomes, and impact on society of the project?
• Why now?
• A brief description of the benefits of the proposed solution to U of A and the world.
• Why U of A? Including a description of the competition in the field and possible partnerships.
• A brief description of the team’s approach to meeting the goals, including an articulation of the path to sustained external funding, and how the approach leverages U of A resources.
• A set of milestones that will be met over the period of performance (not to exceed 24 months).

Other considerations include the following:

• The proposal must clearly identify a team leader and project champion who must be an experienced (tenured or tenure track) faculty member with a significant record of success in translating new ideas to extramural research support. Research faculty and non-TTE with research appointments are eligible as Co-PIs.
• If possible, the proposal should identify a partner from a local, state, or global community to strengthen the system approach and societal impact.
• The milestones should set a clear path towards federal, philanthropic, or industry- sponsored funding after the BIC program ends.
• The milestones should set targets for tangible progress to be achieved and will be reviewed every six months for continuing funding.

Once a proposal has been submitted, the proposal will undergo peer review. Finalists will be notified of an opportunity to attend a proposal pitch day, where they will be asked to present a lightning talk to U of A senior leadership.

If selected for the BIC program, the team will work closely with U of A’s Washington DC consultants (Lewis-Burke Associates), Research Development Services, and Foundation Relations to find and create potential funding opportunities (federal, state, foundation, private, etc.) and develop a long-term vision for the research. Further, marketing and communications support will be provided to selected teams to support the development of related news articles. A member of the Research Development team will be assigned each awarded proposal to support identification of extramural funding, provide teaming support (on and off-campus), and for coordinating with Lewis-Burke Associates. For relevant projects, Tech Launch Arizona (for technology transfer) and Tech Parks Arizona (for start-up support) will also be engaged. Finally, the team will be supported by a team of mentors from across the institution that has successfully leveraged their big idea into an extramurally funded effort.

An annual research showcase will take place in May of each year and will consist of a lightning talk and poster sessions on the activities to date. Investigators should plan for at least two students to present at this event in addition to the investigators. The event will be open to others in the U of A community.

Awardees will be required to submit annual progress reports and a final report at the end of the funding period.

Proposals will be evaluated by a team of selected U of A academic leaders and external advisors representing the broad interests and capabilities of the campus. Care will be exercised to ensure diversity in the evaluation team, and that there is no conflict of interest in the proposal evaluation process. External reviewers will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

The U of A Big Idea Challenge (BIC) is an initiative by the Office of Research, Innovation, and Impact to incentivize the formation of transdisciplinary research teams tackling grand global challenges. It provides seed funding to develop innovative ideas that can lead to significant external funding and societal impact.

It is open to transdisciplinary teams that include U of A faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and research staff. The team must include a project champion who is an experienced tenured, or tenure-track, faculty member. 

Proposals that integrate multiple disciplines from these six strategic research pillars are highly encouraged:

1. Defense and National Security
2. Energy and Environmental Sustainability
3. Health and Biomedical Sciences
4. The Human Experience
5. Data, Information Systems and AI
6. Space Sciences

It encourages transdisciplinary research that crosses traditional academic boundaries, integrating perspectives from science, engineering, business, social sciences, arts, design, and humanities to create holistic solutions to global challenges.  

Applications must include a written proposal (three pages max) and a detailed budget. Proposals are submitted electronically through the Arizona Cultivate platform. Selected teams will be invited to present their ideas during a pitch session​. 

Key dates for the FY26 cycle are: 

• Solicitation Release: January 8, 2025 
• Proposal Deadline: March 26, 2025 
• Notification of Pitch Date Invitation: April 16, 2025 
• Pitch Date: on, or near, May 14, 2025 
• Award Date: May 28, 2025 
• Project Start Date: July 1, 2025 

Proposals are assessed on three main criteria: 

1. Interdisciplinarity and societal impact (40%) 
2. Intellectual value and contribution to research (20%) 
3. Likelihood of securing significant external funding (40%) 

The challenge provides seed funding to develop ideas that can attract significant external funding in the future. Projects can receive up to $125,000 per year for a maximum of two years. Teams must include opportunities for engagement with external partners and funding agencies, as well as regular reporting milestones​.  

Proposals undergo peer review, and finalists are invited to pitch their ideas in a public presentation process. Awardees are expected to submit annual progress reports, attend research showcases, and provide a final report. 

Selected teams receive support from U of A Research Development Services, Lewis-Burke Associates, and Foundation Relations to identify funding opportunities. Additional support for technology transfer and public engagement is available through Tech Launch Arizona and Tech Parks Arizona. 

March 26, 2025 at 5:00pm MST. Please note that the system will shut down promptly at 5:00pm. It is strongly suggested that applicants complete and submit their application much earlier than 5:00 pm as the system will not accept applications after the deadline. There have been instances of application failure when submitting minutes prior to the 5:00 pm deadline. To ensure successful submission, RII recommends submitting your proposal no later than noon on the deadline date.

No, however, your budget officer/research administrator will be required to sign off on the budget through a system-supported routing step. Your budget office/research administrator will have two business days to finalize your budget in the system. It is highly encouraged that you contact the appropriate individual much earlier in the process for assistance in developing the budget. 

Up to $250,000 for two years. That is $125,000 per year.

The following provides a list of generally allowable costs:

• Short-term hourly student wages and associated ERE
• Research technical staff, including graduate students, and associated ERE and tuition and fees (when applicable)
• Honoraria or participant stipends
• Meeting costs, e.g., room rentals, meals/breaks, etc.
• Supplies, including research supplies and/or items such as musical scores and art supplies
• Domestic travel (international travel funding is only available in very well justified cases)
• Specialized equipment (capital and other) pertaining specifically to the project
• Consultants may be used in very limited, exceptional, and well-justified cases, e.g., graphic designers, workshop facilitators, etc.
• Extremely well-justified release for faculty with a greater than 2:2 teaching load OR faculty pursuing large/complex research efforts. Course releases require a letter of support from your department head and should be used judiciously. 

No funding may be used for salaries for personnel from other institutions. If there is a collaborating institution or organization, a summary of the commitments from that institution/organization is required as a letter of support. 

As a reminder, all proposals are required to include: at least one trip per year to Washington, D.C. for at least two faculty members, two outbound trips to external partners (if applicable), at least one “all hands” meeting for the full team (including external partners), and printing/design costs affiliated with the annual research showcase.

F&A is not required as part of the budget as these are internal funds.

Yes. While proposals must be linked to the PI’s name and official U of A email address, PIs may designate an individual, such as a research administrator, to proxy in the proposal materials. Information on submitting proposals by proxy is available in the “Help” section of the submission website. Please do not simply have the proxy submit in your name. Instead, follow the steps to give proxy. Failure to do so can cause Arizona Cultivate to not accept your submission. If you have questions, email ResDev@arizona.edu.

No.