Fermilab Collaboration Incentive Program

Launched by the Office of Research (OoR), the Fermilab Collaboration Incentive Program provides pilot support to investigators partnering with Fermilab scientists to strengthen proposed partnerships. The goal of this program is to increase the number of Purdue faculty working in partnership with Fermilab scientists to pursue sponsored funding. 

Deadlines

Applications accepted on a rolling basis, beginning July 15, 2026.

Submissions for the fall academic semester should be received by August 15, 2026, for funding decisions to be received early September. 

Eligibility

Applicants must have an active partnership with scientists/staff at Fermilab and have a target external funding opportunity that they plan to pursue.  Applications will also be accepted in tandem with an external application to strengthen the proposed partnership through institutional support. 

Available Support

Requests are limited to one year of support for graduate student or post-doctoral scholar efforts to grow the partnership.  

Cost sharing from investigator’s department/school and college is required. See details for this below. 

Application and Submission Process

Applicants should submit their request via email to sir@purdue.edu with the email subject: “Fermilab Collaboration Incentive Program Submission”.

Applicants should not go through Sponsored Programs Pre-Award Services for the submission process.

Applications should contain the following components:

1. Application Narrative (two-page limit; including the following):
   • Briefly describe the partnership with Fermi staff, including any history of past funding success;
   • Describe the planned project/experiments that will prepare you to submit towards a larger external funding opportunity and/or strengthen your external funding application;
   • Briefly describe the importance of the proposed research; and
   • Provide detail showing active participation by Fermi scientists (e.g. visits, workshops, access granted to facilities/data, etc.).
2. Cited Literature, if applicable
3. Biosketch and C&P of lead personnel at both institutions
4. Provide details on the support requested (i.e. grad student or post doc salary details)
5. Targeted funding opportunity and target submission date
6. Letters of support from department/school head(s) and associate dean(s) of research expressing their cost sharing support (email approval will also be accepted)

Incomplete applications and/or applications that do not meet these requirements will be returned without review.

Allowed Costs

• Requests for support are limited to one year. Additional funding past the initial year should be requested via a new application showing progress on the partnership and proposed work. 
• OoR incentive funds can be used towards graduate student or postdoctoral salary support only. 
• Available funding is limited to one jointly-funded graduate student or postdoc per associated faculty member.
• Funds are not available for supplies, equipment, travel, or any other costs. 

Cost Sharing or Matched Funding

Cost sharing from the investigator’s department/school and college is required and follows the typical model for required cost sharing with costs split in thirds between the school/department(s), college(s), and Office of Research.

The expectation is that the school/department contribution will be in the form of academic year support for investigator’s dedicated effort to move the partnership forward. Graduate student/post doc support in lieu of AY support is acceptable.

The program requires that the college contribution will be equally matching support for the requested graduate student or post doc effort. 

Review Criteria

Clear presentation of proposed project/experiments and how they strengthen the partnership with Fermilab to support a future funding application will be weighted heavily in the review process. Additional review criteria include the level of Fermilab engagement and potential for future external funding. 

Rolling reviews of the applications will be conducted.

Funding Mechanism

This program for support is established in conjunction with Purdue’s overall partnership with the Fermilab management award. Awarded Purdue funds will be established as cost share accounts within the Fermilab management account. Upon award, formal cost share approvals from all units will be requested via PERA in conjunction with SPS. 

Reporting Requirements

Recipients are required to provide a final report following the project period. This report must detail project outcomes and clear progress made toward a joint external funding submission in partnership with Fermilab.

Additional Information

Questions about the program may be directed to Kristyn Jewell , Marcey Hoover, or David Cappelleri.