Extramural Coordinated Funding


UM Submission Instructions: UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program 2026

Sponsor:
National Science Foundation (NSF),UIDP (UIDP)
Award Title:
UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program
Amount:
See Program Description
UM Deadline:
08/20/2026
Sponsor Deadline:
12/31/2026
Description:
The UIDP Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program is a U.S. pilot designed to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) doctoral education by integrating sustained industry research experience into dissertation-based PhD training.

The program provides four years of coordinated doctoral support through shared investment by participating university-industry partnerships, with additional co-funding support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate (TIP).

Participating students receive joint mentorship from academic and industry researchers, and spend at least one year (in aggregate), conducting dissertation-integrated research at an industry site. Students also engage in national cohort-based activities, annual convenings, and professional development opportunities, including a complementary program designed to build competencies for working in industry and cross-sector research environments.

The pilot will launch in Fall 2026, with additional cohorts in subsequent years.

Register for the UIDP Webinar:Program Updates - UIDP I-PhD Scholars Program September 3, 2026, 12-1pm CST

The University is limited to submitting one application per university-industry partnership, so RIO is fielding expressions of interest (see Nominations Process below for details).
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit:
Multiple
Additional Requirements:
Restriction on duplicates (see description)
Sponsor Guidelines:
https://uidp.org/i-phd-scholars/ (opens in a new window)
UM Nominations Process:
UPDATE (8/21/26): Given the information presented from UIDP in office hours on 8/20/2026, the VPRI has made the decision to move proposals forward on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit EOI Concept Papers to collabor@umn.edu ASAP.

This funding RIO is tracking intent to submit across all of the University of Minnesota campuses, schools, and departments through an Expression of Interest phase.

Please submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) to collabor@umn.edu using this concept paper template as soon as possible if you wish to submit a proposal for this opportunity.

After the internal deadline passes, RIO will still accept and review EOIs from prospective PIs until UIDP announces that all funds have been distributed. Please contact collabor@umn.edu to learn if your proposed Industry partner is attached to another proposal already.
Peer Review Coordination:
Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status:
The internal deadline has passed with some applicant spots still available. Contact us if interested.
Please note:
To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.

General Information


  • Each posting has information about the external sponsor and opportunity as well as the internal application instructions.
  • Opportunities can be sorted by column headings; just click on the heading to re-sort by that column.
  • When a link redirects you to another site, it opens in a new browser window.
  • If you know of an opportunity that is not on the list, please contact Kristin Mead.

Internal Requirements


  • Sponsor: Name of funder.
  • Award Title: Funding opportunity nameAmount: Range/Maximum dollar amount awarded.
  • UMN Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
  • Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
  • Description: General information about the sponsor and the funding opportunity. Usually describes the purpose of the funding opportunity, overview of what the sponsor is looking for, including distinctive criteria. This is not meant to take the place of the sponsor guidelines; please read the sponsor guidelines before deciding to apply.
  • Number of Applicants University is Allowed to Submit: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
  • Additional Requirements: Identifies any special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
  • Sponsor Guidelines: Link to the sponsor’s funding opportunity website.
  • UMN Nominations Process: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
  • Peer Review Coordination: The name and contact email of the office coordinating the funding opportunity. RIO coordinates most limited submissions, but opportunities coordinated by other offices or programs are also posted on this webpage.
  • Status:
    • Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
    • Forecasted: The funder has not yet formally published the opportunity. The deadline has yet to be determined.
    • Archived: The opportunity has been archived by the funder.
    • Spots Remaining: UMN deadline has passed, with some applicant spots still available. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
    • First-Come, First-Served: Applicants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
    • Contact Us: The internal deadline has passed, but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
    • In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
    • PI Selected: The PI(s) have been selected as the official UMN nominees.
    • Closed: UMN is no longer accepting applications.

UMN Selection Process


  • Once the internal deadline has passed, if the number of applicants is less than or equal to the number of spots the university is allowed to send forward, the applicants automatically become the UMN nominee(s).
  • If the status of an opportunity is "First-Come, First-Served", there was not time to hold an internal review. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If there are no applicants, the status will change to "Contact Us". At this point, the opportunity changes to a first-come, first-served opportunity.
  • If there are multiple applicants, the office coordinating the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process. The status will change to "In Review".
  • Once the review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
  • Nominees will be provided with an email from RIO (or the designated coordinating office) indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
  • SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to "PI(s) Selected".