Request for Proposals – Call to Action Research Program, 2025-26
October 1, 2024 2:02 PM

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

I am pleased to announce the opening of the request for proposals for the 2025-26 Call to Action Research Program. Begun in Fall 2020, the goal of the program is to enhance exceptional cross-disciplinary research strengths and expand collaborations to build cultures of research and scholarship that creates a more robust and equitable society.

The full RFP along with the application details can be found on the Call to Action program website. For 2025, the research program projects may include but are not limited to:

• Systemic interventions to improve educational outcomes and increase college readiness.
• Research that tackles the complex drivers of health disparities.
• Structural disparities in the criminal justice system.
• Challenges faced by sexual and gender minorities in education, health, and the criminal justice system. 

Award amounts this year are up to $75,000. Proposals can be submitted along two different tracks: 

• Community-Based Innovation
• Societal Impact

To begin the competitive process, a full proposal is due by November 1, 2024 at 5 pm Central Time. Tenure-stream or specialized faculty (instructors and lecturers), or an Academic Professional with appointments (0 to 100%) in any campus unit are eligible to apply.

Announcements of projects selected to be funded for 2025–26 will be announced by February 2025.

For more information, visit go.illinois.edu/CallToActionRFP.

The Call to Action Research Program supports, prioritizes, and recognizes the impactful efforts of scholars as they work to create a more robust society. I encourage you to look to others across the university and around our entire community to join you in submitting a proposal for this year’s round of funding.

Sincerely,

Sean C. Garrick
Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion