Principal Investigator (PI)ÌýAcademy
Launched in 2017, the Research & Innovation Office’s Principal Investigator (PI) Academy supports ±ð²¹°ù±ô²ââ€Çì²¹°ù±ð±ð°ù, eligible CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß PIs as they navigate the campus research ecosystem. The program provides structured engagement on core research development topics to help new investigators pursue external funding for their research, scholarly, and creative work. Participation is recommended for faculty and researchers within their first three years on campus.
From launch, the PI Academy has grown substantially. Today, it includes nearly 190 alumni and around 50 current participants, representing a broad cross‑section of campus including every college, school and research institute.
Note: The PI Academy provides a deep dive into CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß’s research and creative work ecosystem, setting it apart from Thriving at CU through the Office of Faculty Affairs. We encourage you to look through both programs to ensure you maximize your first few years at CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß.Ìý
Participation in the PI AcademyÌýincludes the following benefits:
- Faculty Network—Build a network with faculty leaders and peers from across campus.
- Workshops—Priority workshopÌýregistration plus foundational offerings that will support you in your research.
- Identify Funding—One-on-one assistance in identifying relevant funding opportunities.
- Proposal Development Support—Priority access to services including strategic grant writing advice and proposal development, editing, proofreading, and rigorous proposal review.
- Biweekly Onboarding Email Series—Delivers practical, just‑in‑time guidance on navigating CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß’s research landscape, getting funding‑ready, and building long‑term success as a PI.
These offerings provide a foundation to support you in your research at CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß. We encourage you to join any that make sense for you. Sessions are typically 1.5 hours in length offered hybrid. After each core offering, we provide opportunities for casual in-person networking you may stay for should you attend in person.
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August/September: PI Academy Kickoff::This event welcomes participants and provides an opportunity to network and learn about various resources and components of the PI Academy, the Research & Innovation Office, and research across CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß.Ìý
September: Avenues to External Funding: : Learn how to use freely available databases of external funding opportunities for fellowships and grants. Including setting up funding alerts specific to your scholarly research or creative work through Pivot. You will also learn to use Philanthropy News Digest (PND) to identify potential philanthropic funding opportunities. The session concludes with guidance on the best next steps after identifying a promising funding opportunity.
October: 1-Pager, Concept Note, Letter of Intent: : Learn how to clearly and concisely communicate your research through common early‑stage proposal formats. You will come away with a refined one‑paragraph summary of your current research project, a foundations‑focused tips sheet to guide future philanthropic outreach, and a 1‑pager reference guide to support you as you shape and present your next compelling idea.
February: Societal Impacts and Engagement: : Learn best practices for building and sustaining transdisciplinary research relationships that strengthen the societal impacts of your work. This session will highlight how transdisciplinary approaches are increasingly used to address today’s complex scientific, medical, and societal challenges. These challenges require diverse disciplinary and experiential knowledge to understand, design solutions for, and successfully secure external support. You will gain practical guidance on developing impactful collaborations and positioning your work for stronger Broader Impacts and Societal Impacts in future proposals.
March: Industry Collaborations, Ventures, and IP: : Learn practical strategies for building effective relationships with industry partners and navigating the pathways that support entrepreneurial activity. This session will introduce key considerations for engaging in ventures, approaching contracts, and protecting your intellectual property. You will gain guidance on how to establish sustainable industry collaborations to ensure continuity and support throughout your research career.
April: OCG’s Proposal Development & Project Management: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 2:30-4 p.m. MT: The Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG) Proposal Analysts and the Program Management Office (PMO) are designated officials to assist PIs with the development of the project and the proposal submission. This session covers the essentials of proposal development and project management, from funding readiness through submission. We will address the critical project considerations within the PSR, discuss common cost elements, and identify how to work effectively with OCG Proposal Analysts and the PMO through the proposal development process. Emphasis is placed on how early project management strengthens proposals and supports successful award implementation.
- Follow steps in How to Join above to join this upcoming event!
The PI Academy is geared toward eligible CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß PIs who are within the first three years of their CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß academic appointment at the level of Assistant Professor or the equivalent. If you are interested in participating but do not fall into this category, please follow steps 1 and 2 above and we will reach out.
Postdocs are supported through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, therefore Postdocs are not eligible for PI Academy.
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