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The Core Facility Voucher Program (CFVP) is aimed at encouraging new and existing investigators to utilize ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Core Facilities to advance their research.

Intent of the Voucher Program

The CFVP assists investigators in their pursuit to gather new or additional data that is currently unfunded, or facing financial hardships, for:Ìý

• Grant applications
• Manuscripts (new and enhanced resubmissions)
• Exploratory research that aims to ultimately result in a future grant application or peer reviewed manuscript
• Promote the utilization of our Core Facilities by new and existing investigators

Eligibility

1. The CVFP is intended to support as many investigators as possible:
   • ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
   • Senior Instructors
   • Career Track Research Faculty (i.e. Research Professors, Senior Research Associates, Research Associates)
   • PRAs must notify their direct report, department chair, college dean, or institute director before applying
   • The applicant must hold an appointment of half-time or greater
2. Due to limited resources and the intent of the program, preference will be given to research groups that did not receive Voucher Program support in FY26.
   • Note: This preference may change during any future FY2027 calls.
3. Only three submissions per Core
   • An individual Core may only be included on three unique submissions
4. Only two submissions per research lab
   • An individual research lab may only be included on two unique submissions
5. Applications may only involve Core Facilities that are in good standing with the Central Support Program
   • Core Facilities must have an approved rate sheet by the RBSA office
   • View the current list of Core Facilities

Applications may be submitted from September 15—October 16, 2026.Ìý

Applications must be submitted electronically via and include the following information: Ìý

• Application Title
• PI contact information and scientific role(s)
• Co-PIs (if any):ÌýName, department affiliation and scientific role(s)
• Cover page
  • Signatures of the name and title of the PI and each Core Facility manager
  • Please use theÌýÌýÌýCover Page template
• Amount requested (max = $10,000)
• Proposal description
  • Rationale and objectives of the proposed project, with an emphasis on the need for data collection/analysis services, highlighting:
    • Research significance and impact: What about this research is important and what are its broader implications? (500 words max)
    • Experimental plan: A brief description of the Core Facility services to be used. (250 words max)
    • Data use: Explanation of how the data will be used (new grant submission or resubmission, manuscript, etc) (250 words max)
    • Please use theÌýÌýÌýFY27 Proposal Form
• Specify the need for financial assistance from the following options (500 words max):
  • The PI is experiencing financial hardship.
  • The proposed research is not supported by an existing award, or that the current award does not have sufficient funds to support this effort.
  • Lack of funds within current awards.
  • Note: While the lack of financial support is not an absolute requirement, preference will be given to applications demonstrating that financial assistance is needed.
• A budget generated from the provided template that automatically calculates and adds the 9.13% GAIR to the quote (link below). Note: RIO and the CVFP will not pay for GAIR.
• List of Cores to be used
• Detailed quote for the Core(s) services
  • The quotesÌýmust be provided by the Core Facility.
• Details concerning how the data will be applied:
  • Specific Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for which you intend to respond within 12 months of the CFVPÌýaward.
    • Note:ÌýIf this justification is selected, the following questions are displayed on OpenWater:
      • Funder Name
      • Title of Program (Funding Opportunity)
      • Anticipated Date of Submission
      • Link to FOA
  • Specific FOA and reviews from a grant that was declined and for which you intend to reapply.
    • Note:ÌýIf this justification is selected, the following questions are displayed on OpenWater:
      • Title of Program (Funding Opportunity)
      • Original Submission Date
      • Anticipated Date of Resubmission
      • Link to FOA
    • File Uploads: Applicants will be prompted to upload their supporting documentation.
      • Declined Grant Reviews (single PDF file)
  • Manuscript declined/needs revision and peer reviews call for additional data.
    • Note: If this justification is selected, the following questions are displayed on OpenWater:
      • Title of Manuscript
      • Title of Publication (Journal, Book, etc)
      • Date Reviews (decline/revision decision) Received
      • Anticipated Date of Resubmission
    • File Uploads: Applicants will be prompted to upload their supporting documentation.
      • Declined/Needs revision Manuscript Reviews (single PDF File)
• Annual Report Agreement
  • Recipients of the Voucher Program must agree to submit a brief annual Impact Report for two fiscal years (two reports in total). A description of the report can be found below.

Additional file uploads

All applicants must upload these additional supporting documents:

• ÌýÌýFY27 Core Facility Voucher Program Cover Page
  • Completed and signed by the research lab, PI, and Core Manager/Director
• ÌýÌýFY27 Budget Template
  • Summarizes the quotes provided by each Core and planned expenses.
  • Note: RIO and the CVFP will not pay for GAIR.
• Service quotes from the Core(s)
  • Detailed quote for the Core services (each Core must provide their own quote if multiple Cores will be used)
• ÌýÌýÌýFY27 Proposal Form
  • Proposal form including the Research Significance and Impact (500 words max), Experimental Plan (250 words max), and Data Use (250 words max).

After all of the above steps are complete, the applicant will be prompted to submit the application.

The maximum per request is $10,000 per core facility.ÌýThere will be no no-cost extension, and the funds must be spent by the end of FY27.

The funding source for the Core Facility Voucher Program (CFVP) is coming from Auxiliary funding, therefore GAIR is required to be included in the total request for the Voucher award applications.ÌýPlease use theÌýÌýÌýbudget template, which automatically calculates and adds the 9.13% GAIR to the quote.

Deadline

Proposals will be reviewed after the application portal has closed. Please allow 2–3 weeks for review and decision on the proposal.ÌýFunds must be used by June 30, 2027.ÌýAn additional application portal may open in the Spring if funds are available.

Restrictions

• Funds for awarded vouchers will be provided to the selected core(s) and used for services as outlined in the submitted quote. Make sure you used theÌýÌýÌýbudget template that automatically calculates and adds the 9.13% GAIR to the quote. Note: The GAIR calculation is for your reference. Neither RIO nor the CFVP will pay for GAIR.
• Unused funds cannot be redirected to other uses.
• PIs must submit or re-submit the applicable grant proposal or manuscript within one year after receipt of a Core Facility Voucher. Failure to do so will render the PI ineligible for any additional support from CFVP for a period of two years. Submitting a different manuscript or grant proposal will be permissible if the resulting core facility data necessitates a change in direction.
• Click here for a list of all eligible Core Facilities.Ìý
• Preference will be given to research labs that did not receive support from the FY26 Voucher Program
• Only three submissions per Core
  • An individual Core may only be included on three unique submissions
• Only two submissions per research lab
  • An individual Research Lab may only be included on two unique submissions

Review

Members of the Cores Executive Committee will review the submitted proposals. Review criteria include:Ìý

• Eligibility of the applicant and the Core Facility
• Strength of the proposal description
• Ability of the Core Facility to satisfy the goals and objectives of the project
• Justification of the need for financial assistance
• Future impact of the funds on grant applications and/or publications

Funding decisions will be announced on a rolling basis 2–3 weeks after the submission period closes.

Post-voucher award reporting and acknowledgement

PIs must submit a brief Impact Report.ÌýRecipients will receive a link to the Impact Report each August. The report will request information on Core Facility useÌýand grants/publications submitted. The intent of the report is to capture the impact of the funds. Reports will request the following information:

• Confirmation of Core Facility Use
• List of publications enabled by the funds (either author last name and title or DOI)
• List of awards enabled by the funds (funding agency and award number)

By accepting the award, the recipient and the PI agree to acknowledge the "ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ FY27 Core Facility Voucher Program" in any and all publications and presentations that were supported by the award. Failure to do so may disqualify the applicant and the PI from future funding opportunities.Ìý

For more information about campus cores or applications for this program, please contact Joe Dragavon, Director of Core Facilities & Shared Instrumentation at joseph.dragavon@colorado.edu.