Funder: Louisiana Board of Regents
Due Dates: September 11, 2026 (Mandatory Notice of Intent) | November 6, 2026 (Proposal)
Funding Amounts: FY 2024–25 limits: up to $200,000 over three years (RCS) or $20,000 for one year (RCS One-Year)
Summary: Supports fundamental scientific and engineering research at Louisiana universities to strengthen national competitiveness and prospects for federal funding.
Key Information: A mandatory Notice of Intent and institutional approval are required before the Board can accept a proposal.
Description
The Research Competitiveness Subprogram (RCS) is part of the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund Research & Development Program, administered through Research and Sponsored Initiatives. It supports projects that build Louisiana universities’ fundamental research base and help researchers become consistently competitive for federal support. Research must contribute new knowledge rather than simply apply existing knowledge, with a clear plan to overcome barriers to national competitiveness.
RCS also offers one-year pilot awards for novel scientific and engineering research leading to near-term federal support. These awards can support faculty who are already federally competitive but are exploring new directions. For tenure-track faculty, the emphasis is on sharpening research focus and developing cutting-edge techniques; for tenured faculty, it is on innovative concepts requiring a shift in research direction.
