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
RIO Announces 2026 Funding and Awards
The Research Development Office is pleased to announce RIO’s funding and award programs for 2026, which includes a recently launched Grant-in-Aid category focused on social justice impact.
2026 Research Infrastructure Investment Program
Letters of intent are now being accepted for the Research Infrastructure Investment Program, which is being offered as a single round in the spring only this year. LOI due February 23; full proposal due March 23.
Fall 2025 Grant-in-Aid Program Awards Thirty-Five Projects Across Three Campuses
The Research and Innovation Office has awarded thirty-five grants as part of the Fall 2025 Grant-in-Aid program. These projects represent principal investigators from fourteen colleges or units and three campuses.