Research Development Office
Strategy & Engagement Core
Provides strategic intelligence and planning as well as proactive stakeholder and partner engagement.
RIO Funding & Awards Core
Administers internal grant competitions and award programs that seed innovative research.
Proposal Development Core
Provides tailored services to support grant proposal development and submission for a wide range of funding agencies and grants.
Services & Expertise
RDO provides resources and services to help researchers compete for internal and external funding and strategically grow their research programs.
Strategy and Engagement Core
Strategic Intelligence, Forecasting and Planning
- Horizon scanning and landscape analysis
- Funding opportunity identification
- Strategic planning for research teams and units
Proposal Strategy
- Review and consulting on funder priorities
- Proposal strategy development
- Project planning and management/governance strategy
Stakeholder and Partner Engagement
- Stakeholder and partner identification and network building
- Convenings and facilitation services
RIO Funding and Awards
- Internal research funding opportunities (pre and post award management)
- Internal awards programs
- Limited submissions
- Matching funds program
Collaborations and Initiatives
- Committee support (CRAD, RAD+, RADPN)
- Interdisciplinary research support initiatives
RIO Internal Funding and Awards Programs
Proposal Development Core
Proposal Development and Management
- Project management
- Review and consulting on proposal requirements
- Team formation and wrap around support
- Budget strategy and development
- Cost share identification and recruitment
- Proposal writing for non-scientific sections
Proposal Review and Submission
- Proposal editing
- Proposal review coordination (e.g., red team review)
- Coordination with Research Administration on MN-GEMS submission
- Coordination on submission for funder-specific platforms (e.g. research.gov)
Post-Submission Support
- Site visit strategy
- Program/project start-up support
RDO News & Announcements
2026 Innovation Impact Case Award Winners Announced
Edgar Arriaga, Philip Zelazo and Stephanie Carlson are the recipients of the 2026 Innovation Impact Case Award which recognizes University of Minnesota research that has had significant impact outside of academia.
Ten Recognized with 2026 UMN Research Technical Staff Awards
The Research Technical Staff Award recognizes staff for their distinguished service to the University of Minnesota research community and celebrates exemplary leadership that positively impacted their colleagues and advanced the University's mission.
Announcing the Fall 2026 Grant-in-Aid Competition
Applications will be accepted starting August 17 for the fall 2026 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship program, sponsored by the Research and Innovation Office.