Future Interdisciplinary Research Explorations (FIRE)
The FIRE program funds ACES faculty at UIUC to launch interdisciplinary research collaborations that generate preliminary data aligned with USDA NIFA science areas.
Funder: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2026 (Feb 16, 2026 by 5:00 PM CT) | February 2027 (projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $60,000 total for up to 2 years; single-year option up to $35,000; ~4 awards expected per cycle.
Summary: Supports ACES faculty in launching interdisciplinary research collaborations to generate preliminary data for future external funding proposals.
Key Information: For associate/full professors in ACES; participation in a Multistate Hatch project is required.
Description
The Future Interdisciplinary Research Explorations (FIRE) program, funded by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Office of Research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is designed to foster creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration among ACES faculty and their research partners. The program seeks outstanding team research proposals that initiate new or enhance existing collaborations, with the primary goal of generating preliminary data or results to support future applications for external funding. Projects must align with USDA NIFA’s science and knowledge areas and require participation in a Multistate Hatch project. FIRE awards are intended to help faculty expand their research portfolios and address significant research questions that contribute to regional and national research efforts.
