Opportunities Fund

The Opportunuities Fund is administered by the Office of Research; monies are distributed to both active and/or beginning researchers.

The funds are usually used for pilot studies, start-up funds for new faculty, foreign travel to make an invited presentation or exhibit, faculty/staff trips to visit granting agencies, workshops and conferences held at UT and organized by faculty, grant bridging, or seed money for new research activities. The funds are awarded to full-time, tenure-track faculty only.

There is a general requirement that these research incentive funds be matched equally by department and college funding at a 1:1:1 match; this requirement may be waived, or the matching ratio adjusted, for circumstances in which these monies are not available.

There is no formal application deadline for these funds. Funds are, however, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so applications should be made as early in the fiscal year as possible.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a letter describing the research activity to be supported, including the total cost of the project and the suggested division of the cost. The letter should include approval lines for the signatures of the department head and the dean of the college.

Once departmental and college approvals have been obtained, the letter should be forwarded to Dr. Gregory D. Reed, associate vice chancellor for research, 1534 White Avenue, 1529.

Contact Information

Jane Taylor
Administrative Specialist
UT Knoxville Office of Research
1534 White Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37996-1529
Phone: (865) 974-0437
Fax: (865) 974-7400
Email: tayloje@utk.edu