The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Office of Research is proud to launch INSURE, a temporary funding initiative designed to support LAS faculty facing research disruptions. Whether due to funding delays, transitional periods, or unforeseen challenges, INSURE helps preserve scholarly momentum, retain key personnel, and sustain the research excellence that defines LAS across the humanities, social sciences, and life, physical and mathematical sciences.
Who should apply
INSURE is open to all tenure-stream faculty in LAS. We welcome proposals from any discipline, including those not traditionally reliant on external funding. Eligible applicants must demonstrate:
- A temporary disruption in project support (e.g., delayed external funding, institutional transition, or loss of non-federal support), or
- A compelling need for interim funding to maintain continuity or reposition a research program.
Program goals
INSURE aims to:
- Sustain research during temporary funding gaps or transitions
- Retain critical research staff and collaborators
- Enable project continuation or redirection
- Maintain momentum toward external funding, publication, creative output, or community impact
Funding priorities
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Retain key personnel (postdocs, technicians, graduate researchers)
- Support projects nearing completion or at a pivotal stage
- Assist early-career faculty during transitions
Allowable costs
INSURE funds may be used for:
- Personnel support
- Essential data collection or analysis
- Research materials, supplies, or infrastructure access
- Subvention costs for scholarly publications (when external sources are unavailable)
Not allowed: Summer salary, general travel (unless integral to research), equipment over $5,000, or activities already supported by other LAS internal programs.
Award details
- Typical awards range from $10,000 to $45,000
- Departmental cost share is strongly encouraged
- Awards are not renewable beyond the current program year
Application process
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
Required materials:
- Proposal narrative (2–3 pages)
- Itemized budget and justification
- Short biosketch or CV (2–3 pages max)
- Letter of support from unit Executive Officer (EO)
Optional letters from collaborators or mentors may also be submitted.
Submit your application via the LAS Funding Request Webform. Log in with your NetID, select “New Form,” choose “Research” as the funding type, and complete the required fields.
Review & reporting
Proposals are reviewed monthly by a leadership committee. Applicants will be notified of one of the following outcomes:
- Approved
- Approved with revisions
- Deferred
- Declined with feedback
Awardees must submit a brief final report (1–2 pages) detailing use of funds, outcomes, and next steps. They may also be invited to share their experiences through LAS research development programming.
Contact information
For questions or additional guidance, please contact the LAS Office of Research.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
For faculty applicants
Who is eligible to apply for INSURE funding?
All tenure-stream faculty in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are eligible. Applicants must demonstrate either a temporary disruption in project support or a compelling need for interim funding to maintain continuity or reposition their research program.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects from any LAS discipline—humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences—are welcome. This includes scholarship that may not rely on traditional external funding mechanisms.
What are examples of allowable expenses?
INSURE funds may be used for:
- Personnel support (e.g., postdocs, graduate/undergraduate assistants, lab technicians)
- Data collection or analysis
- Research materials and supplies
- Subvention costs for scholarly publications (if no external support is available)
What expenses are not allowed?
INSURE funds cannot be used for:
- Summer salary
- General travel (unless integral to research)
- Equipment purchases over $5,000
- Activities already supported by another LAS internal program
How much funding can I request?
Typical awards range from $10,000 to $45,000. Departmental cost share is strongly encouraged, especially for proposals involving personnel retention or larger budgets.
Is INSURE funding renewable?
No. INSURE awards are intended as one-time support and are not expected to be renewed beyond the current program year.
How do I apply?
Submit your application through the funding request form. You’ll need to include a proposal narrative, itemized budget using the budget template, CV or biosketch, and a letter of support from your unit Executive Officer.
What is the review process like?
Applications are reviewed monthly by a leadership committee. Decisions may result in approval, approval with revisions, deferral, or decline with feedback.
What are the reporting requirements?
Awardees must submit a brief final report (1–2 pages) detailing how funds were used, outcomes achieved, and next steps such as grant submissions or publications.
Who can I contact with questions?
Reach out to the LAS Office of Research at las-research@illinois.edu
For Executive Officers (EOs)
What is my role in the INSURE application process?
As an EO, you are expected to provide a letter of support for each applicant from your unit. This letter should explain:
- Why interim support is necessary for the continuity of the project and the faculty member’s career progression
- What departmental efforts are being made to support the applicant’s research and career
- Any financial contribution your department can offer toward the proposed work
If your department is unable to provide financial support, this should also be addressed in the letter.
Is departmental cost share required?
While not mandatory, departmental cost share is strongly encouraged, especially for proposals involving personnel retention or larger budgets. Providing matching support strengthens the proposal and demonstrates institutional commitment.
How do I submit my letter of support?
The letter of support is submitted as part of the faculty member’s application through the LAS Funding Request webform. EO approval is integrated into the application workflow and includes a section on departmental funds available to support the project.
Will I be notified of the outcome of the application?
Yes. Once the leadership committee reaches a decision, both the applicant and the EO will receive written confirmation of the outcome.
Can I support multiple applicants from my department?
Absolutely. There is no limit to the number of faculty members from a single department who may apply, provided each application meets the eligibility criteria and includes a complete set of required materials.
What if my department cannot contribute financially?
If your department is unable to provide financial support, you should still submit a letter of support explaining the situation. Lack of departmental funding does not automatically disqualify an application, but transparency is important for the review process.