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Research Development Office (RDO)

Diagram depicting Strategic Research Development Activities, including: (1) coordinating internal funding programs, (2) facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations, (3) connecting investigators to idea development and review services, (4) providing proposal development assistance for large scale grants, (5) offering workshops for skill-building, and (6) matching faculty to funding opportunities

The Research Development Office (RDO) at the UAB Office of Research strives to expand the university's capability to continually discover and share new knowledge by connecting researchers to resources and providing support to increase their competitiveness in obtaining extramural funding. As a central resource, the research development team is here to assist investigators across the university in finding and securing funding to support their research, scholarship, and creative activities.

The Research Development Office aims to support research investigators across the proposal development continuum. Whether you are in the early stages of idea development or have a grant deadline quickly approaching, the RDO provides many supportive services and resources to help you at every step of the way. Learn more about how RDO can help you:

 
DevelopYour Ideas

Develop
Your Ideas

All research projects start with a great idea. The RDO can help you connect with resources to help you develop and refine your best ideas for innovative and impactful research projects.
FindFunding

Find
Funding

Once you have a solid research idea, it’s time to find funding to support your project. The RDO helps connect faculty to funding opportunities to support and grow the UAB research enterprise. The RDO also manages external funding opportunities that are institutionally limited, known as “limited submissions”.
Develop andSubmit Proposals

Develop and
Submit Proposals

Ready to write your proposal? RDO curates several internal and external resources to help faculty develop the most compelling and competitive research proposals. Whether you are looking for strategic guidance in the early stages of writing or a critical review of a near-final draft, RDO can connect you to the right resources to take your proposal to the next level.
Collaborateand Translate

Collaborate
and Translate

Collaborative and translational research is essential for solving the world’s most challenging problems. The RDO supports faculty in finding potential collaborators to support interdisciplinary research and connecting them to resources to commercialize new technologies or translate their findings from bench to bedside.
Grow ResearchDevelopment Skills

Grow Research
Development Skills

Looking to grow improve your research development skills? The RDO offers skill-building workshops and helps coordinate internal and external resources and programs to improve investigator’s’ ability to find and secure research funding.
Centers and Institutes

Centers
and Institutes

Centers and Institutes focus and concentrate efforts, usually multidisciplinary in nature, toward meeting a specialized need or dealing with a current issue. A fully developed center or institute that meets the criteria required by Board Rule 503 represents a significant investment of expertise, collaborative energy, and resources. UAB’s Office of Research may designate a board approved center as a “university-wide interdisciplinary research center” (UWIRC) denoting the center’s achievement of growth and potential to serve the entire campus, a recognition of scope beyond that encompassing a Board of Trustee approved school-based center.
Request aLetter of Support

Request a
Letter of Support

The Research Development Office (RDO) supports researchers in obtaining letters of institutional support, when required, for their funding proposals. To receive a letter of support from the Office of the Vice President of Research, send a drafted letter and specific aims or project summary page to the RDO. Our team will review the draft and, once finalized, will facilitate the final review and signing by the Vice President of Research. Please allow two weeks from submission of the draft for the signed letter to be returned. Our team can also provide materials to support you in drafting your letter.
Apply for a LimitedSubmission Opportunity

Apply for a Limited
Submission Opportunity

Some sponsors restrict the total number of grant applications submitted per institution, school, and/or discipline, commonly referred to as a “limited submission”. The Research Development Office tracks limited submission opportunities and manages the internal review process to determine which applicant(s) or proposal(s) will represent UAB, when necessary. If interested in a limited submission opportunity, learn more about the university’s policy and process, and notify the RDO of your interest.
ContactRDO

Contact
RDO

The Research Development Office offers a range of support for university researchers. Learn more about RDO, schedule a consult, and/or request resources.

 

RDO News and Events

  • FY 25 Centers and Institutes Progress Report Cycle Now Open

    June 2025

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has officially launched the FY 25 Centers and Institutes Progress Report cycle. In accordance with University of Alabama System Board Rule 503, all officially recognized centers and institutes are required to submit an annual progress report through the InfoReady portal.

    This year’s report will cover the period from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, and must be submitted no later than Friday, August 15, 2025.

    The annual report is a vital tool for documenting accomplishments, evaluating impact, and planning for the future. Directors are asked to provide a comprehensive summary of their center or institute’s activities, outcomes, and strategic goals for the previous (FY 25) upcoming fiscal year (FY 26).

    To support the submission process, the Research Development Office has created the Centers and Institutes Reporting and Resources Hub. Here, you can find supporting documents and user guides to aid in the successful submission of progress reports and more.

    Submit Your FY 25 Progress Report via InfoReady.

    For questions or assistance, please contact the Research Development Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    C/I Reporting and Resources Hub

  • FY25 CDMRP Funding Announced: $650 Million Available for Innovative Research

    April 7, 2025

    The Congressionally Directed Research Programs (CDMRP) has announced $650 million in research funding for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), supporting high-impact, high-risk projects that address critical gaps in biomedical research. CDMRP is known for its unique approach to funding, prioritizing research that directly benefits military personnel, veterans, and the broader public while fostering innovation across disciplines.

    CDMRP has historically funded a broad range of health-related topics, from cancer and neurological disorders to infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. Unlike traditional NIH mechanisms, CDMRP programs are shaped by congressional directives and stakeholder input, often prioritizing bold, transformative research with potential for rapid translation into practice. Funding areas for FY25 are listed below:

    • Alzheimer's Research Program - $15.0 million
    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program - $40.0 million
    • Breast Cancer Research Program - $130.0 million
    • Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research Program - $12.5 million
    • Melanoma Research Program - $40.0 million
    • Military Burn Research Program - $10.0 million
    • Ovarian Cancer Research Program - $15.0 million
    • Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (18 topics) - $130.0 million
    • Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (42 topics) - $150.0 million
    • Prostate Cancer Research Program - $75 million
    • Rare Cancers Research Program - $17.5 million
    • Toxic Exposures Research Program - $15.0 million

    We encourage researchers across disciplines to explore CDMRP opportunities and consider how their expertise aligns with these funding priorities. The Research Development Office is available to help navigate funding announcements, develop competitive proposals, and facilitate collaborations to strengthen submissions. If you’re interested in pursuing CDMRP funding, reach out to our team for guidance and support.

    Funding opportunity announcements, including detailed descriptions of award mechanism intent, evaluation criteria, submission requirements, and deadlines, will be shared soon. Visit the CDMRP webpage to learn more.

  • We're Growing!

    March 31, 2025

    The Research Development Office (RDO) is growing our capabilities to support the UAB research enterprise with the addition of Jeremy Arnold, Project Manager II, to our team. Jeremy brings wide ranging expertise in nonprofits, grantsmanship, and consulting. In this new role, Jeremy will continue RDO’s efforts to connect researchers to resources and bolster their competitiveness in obtaining funding. Jeremy will also be a key administrator tasked with supporting UAB’s centers and institutes program. Whether you’re interested in support finding funding, crafting a competitive proposal, or facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, Jeremy and the RDO are here to help! Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a consultation or learn more.

    C/I Reporting and Resources Hub

  • Request RDO Support

    Sep. 13, 2023

    The RDO assists faculty at the earliest stages of idea development who are pursuing large interdisciplinary research initiatives, including the preparation of grants that involving multiple schools, departments, divisions, or centers to support new research programs at UAB. The RDO is available to discuss your specific needs and connect you with the best internal and external resources to ensure your research project’s success. The RDO offers in-house proposal review services, including guidance on proposal structure, content, style, and grantsmanship.

    C/I Reporting and Resources Hub

  • Stay Connected: Subscribe to Research Matters

    Sep. 6, 2023

    Research Matters is a weekly newsletter designed to effectively inform the UAB research community of important updates that affect research administration. The Office of Research Development regularly publishes news and updates through Research Matters. Subscribe so you do not miss our news and announcements!

    C/I Reporting and Resources Hub