Arkansas INBRE

The Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (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). 

Two funding mechanisms are offered — Research Projects (RPs) and Pilot Projects (PPs). Undergraduate student participation in RP- and PP-funded research is a requirement. Both RPs and PPs are renewable. PUI faculty may only apply for either a RP or PP award, but not both, at the same time. 

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. Final decisions for both RP and PP awards will be made before the end of the 2026 calendar year. 

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. 

If a proposed project involves vertebrate animals (requiring IACUC approval) or human subjects (requiring IRB approval), it is recommended you contact Dr. Ware (jware@uams.edu) prior to submission to discuss additional requirements.  

Attendance at an Arkansas INBRE-sponsored Grant Writing Workshop is mandatory prior to any submission. The workshop is virtual (Zoom) and is offered August 24 at 1 pm CT. Registration required. If you are unable to attend during the scheduled time contact Dr. Ware (jware@uams.edu).

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

• 2027 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

AR INBRE Funding Opportunities

• 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
• New Faculty Recruitment Packages

PILOT PROJECT (PP) 
The DRPP anticipates awarding six (6) PPs to start May 2027. The DRPP anticipates annual PP funding opportunities to begin May 1 of subsequent years. 

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 one undergraduate student in the project.

• PP Funding Period: May 1, 2027 – April 30, 2028
• Minimum Effort: 25% commitment (3 calendar months) to the project
• Minimum: One (1) undergraduate student 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: October 5, 2026 by 5 pm CT

RESEARCH PROJECTS (RP) 
The DRPP anticipates awarding eight (8) RPs to start May 2027 with a second round of funding to begin May 2029.

RP funding is available up to two years with a direct cost budget not to exceed $125,000 per year.

Project Leaders will be required to commit 6-person months* (50% annual effort) to the project during the award period with Letters of Support from Department Chairs or higher administration officials if needed.

Project Leaders will be required to include a minimum of two undergraduate students in the project.

• RP Funding Period: May 1, 2027 – April 30, 2029
• Minimum Effort: 50% commitment (6 calendar months) to the project
• Minimum: Two (2) undergraduate students in the project
• Maximum Request: $125,000 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: October 5, 2026 by 5 pm CT

Contact information:

For help with identifying a mentor please contact Drs. Jerry Ware or Samantha Kendrick.

For form page questions and budget assistance, please contact Caroline Miller Robinson.

Program Coordinator and Developmental Research Project (DRP) Program Director
(501) 526-6096 | Email

INBRE Liaison for PUI Faculty
(501) 686-5823 | Email

Project Manager
(501) 526-6503 | Email