Six awards have been distributed under a new program from the Office of Research and Engagement, with the goal toward increasing the percentage of faculty applying for and receiving external funding.

The Office of Research and Engagement has partnered with the UT Medical Center to provide UT Knoxville researchers access to Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a safe and non-invasive technique that allows researchers to view the changes that occur to blood flow in the brain in real time. A subject can alternate between focusing on a visual stimulus and blocking all stimuli while data is collected and analyzed.

This technology is important in research related to social, behavioral, and biological sciences.

To facilitate the use of this new resource, the Office of Research and Engagement has opened a call for proposals to provide support for access to UTMC’s fMRI system. Applicants may request up to $5,500 per award (equivalent to 10 hours of use under the current fee schedule), and will be expected to use their data to pursue outside funding opportunities.

ORE’s pilot program will make a total of $110,000 available to investigators on a rolling basis throughout the upcoming fiscal year.

This opportunity is open to any UT Knoxville tenure or non-tenure track faculty and post-doctoral researchers with appointment.