Supporting Pathways for Advancement, Research and Knowledge (SPARK)
Forecasted
The SPARK grant from the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station funds interdisciplinary, early-stage research by ACES assistant professors to build preliminary data for future external funding.
Funder: Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (proposal submission deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $60,000 over 2 years (max); up to $35,000 for 1-year projects; typically 4 awards per cycle
Summary: Supports ACES assistant professors in developing interdisciplinary research and preliminary data for future external funding proposals.
Key Information: For tenure- and non-tenure-track ACES assistant professors not up for promotion before September 2026.
Description
The SPARK program, funded by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station through the ACES Office of Research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is designed to catalyze creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration among early-career ACES faculty. The grant supports the development of innovative research ideas and the collection of preliminary data, positioning teams for future success in securing significant extramural funding from federal agencies, industry, or foundations. Projects must emphasize collaboration across departments or colleges and are expected to produce foundational research products that underpin competitive proposals.
