Internal SJSU Funding

2026-27 Funding Programs Overview

2026-2027 internal funding calendar.

Annual R&I Faculty Funding Opportunities

SJSU logo.

SJSU RSCA Seed Grant Program

Partially funded by the CSU Chancellor's Office, in support of all Unit 3 Faculty, this initial seed grant is to support faculty starting new RSCA projects with no previous funding. 

Award Type: Grant

Award Amount: Up to $7,500

Deadline: November 22, 2026, 11:59 PM

Seed Grant Program FAQ

Walter Adams

SJSU University Grants Academy 

The University Grants Academy (UGA) supports tenure-track/tenured faculty members through the process of writing a significant external grant proposal to fund their research, scholarship, and creative activity (RSCA). 

Award Type: Assigned Time

Award amount: .2 Assigned Time

Deadline: September 20, 2026

UGA Program FAQs

Other R&I Funding Programs

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RSCA Grand Challenge

The Office of Research seeks to fund one faculty member to serve as a team leader who will recruit team members to pursue external funding mechanisms, including large, multi-million-dollar grants and industry contracts. To drive momentum, measurable goals will be placed along the three-year timeline, each unlocking additional funding tranches that the team may use. Teams will not have a member limit; teams are expected to adapt to the project’s needs in relation to the funding landscape. This milestone-driven program will run for three years from Fall 2026 to September 30, 2029.

Award Type: Grant

Award Amount: Assigned time and $35,000 per year with fulfillment of deliverables

Deadline: October 11, 2026

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RAPID+ (RSCA Award for Prompt Investigation and Discovery): Bridge Funding Opportunity

This opportunity provides a mechanism of internal support for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (RSCA) that requires a rapid turnaround due to a gap in external grant funding or an award termination. Specifically, the Office of Research will be using this mechanism to provide bridge funding for faculty who are experiencing 1) a premature grant termination, 2) delays in non-competitive grants, or 3) competitive federal grants recommended for award, but have been delayed in awarding.

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Research Impact Academy (Spring 2027)

The Office of Research has partnered with Open Window Solutions to offer a semester-long program around crafting a pitch, presentation best practices, and effective communication skills for twelve (12) faculty members.

Award Type: Grant

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: TBD

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Rapid Response Initiative

To provide a mechanism of internal support for RSCA that requires a rapid turnaround due to special circumstances. 

Award Type: Grant

Award Amount: Up to $7,500

Deadline: Rolling through 06/30/2027

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RAISE (Research and Innovation Scholarly Entrepreneurship) Award

Starting Spring 2026

This award recognizes and rewards individuals who generate significant extramural funding as measured by F&A reimbursements to the university through their sponsored research activities. This award provides a mechanism to reinvest a portion of these reimbursements to further support their research endeavors and foster a culture of research excellence.

Award Type:  Fellowship Award

Amount:  0.2 Assigned Time, funded at the full buyout rate for each awardee