Boost
Boost is a semester-long program designed to support early stage collaborative research teams working on transdisciplinary projects with substantial potential for producing highly competitive proposals in response to large-scale external funding opportunities within the next two to five years.
A cohort of up to eight teams are accepted into the program and will receive staff support from a research development professional and up to $75,000 to conduct activities such as preliminary research, gathering background data and information, hiring staff or students, holding workshops and team meetings to engage collaborators, inviting speakers and connecting with external partners, including government, industry and community groups.
What are the benefits and outcomes?
Teams accepted into the Boost program receive:
- Training and Skill-building from experts in Research Development
- Facilitated sessions on Team Collaboration, Research Communication and Strategic Planning
- Connections to campus partners and external partners
- Support in identifying relevant external funding opportunities
- Up to $75,000 in funding for research and team development activities
- Two communication deliverables: a written project summary and a research presentation
Who should apply?
Boost applications are open to newly formed teams of interdisciplinary researchers interested in pursuing large-scale funding in the next two to five years. The program is intended for researchers who not only have compelling research ideas, but also want to expand their skills in interdisciplinary leadership, research communication, collaboration and networking across a cohort. Requirements include:
- Teams must consist of 3-8 interdisciplinary partners.
- Teams must have at least two different schools or colleges represented on their team (based on primary appointment).
- Teams should propose projects tackling significant and complex research questions that require interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Each team member is required to commit to regular attendance of the in-person cohort sessions and to ensuring that the majority of the team — barring emergency situations — will be present and engaged throughout the semester
- Faculty who previously led a Boost team are not eligible to lead another, although they may participate on a new team with a new project.
Application Information
Applications are due May 15, 2026.