ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ

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

CFVP assists faculty in gathering new or additional data for grant applications and manuscripts (new and enhanced resubmissions) and for addressing concerns from peer reviewers on a submitted manuscript for publication.Ìý

Intent of the Voucher Program

The CFVP assists investigators in their pursuit to gather new or additional data 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 usersÌý

Eligibility

1. The CVFP is intended to support as many investigators as possible:
   1. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty
   2. Senior Instructors
   3. Career Track Research Faculty (i.e. Research Professors, Senior Research Associates, Research Associates)
   4. PRAs must receive written approval from their department chair, college dean, or institute director before applying
   5. The applicant must hold an appointment of half-time or greater
2. Due to limited resources and the intent of the program, applicants that received Voucher Program support in FY25 are currently ineligible to the FY26 Core Facility Voucher Program.
   1. Note: This restriction may change in FY2026.
3. Applications may only involve Core Facilities that are in good standing with the Central Support Program
   1. Core Facilities must have an approved rate sheet by the RBSA office
   2. View the current list of Core Facilities

Now accepting applications. The application portal will remain open until all available funds have been allocated, or until April 30, 2026, whichever occurs first.

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 = $2,000)
• Rationale and objectives of the proposed project, with an emphasis on the need for data collection/analysis services (500-word maximum), highlighting:
  • Research significance and impact: What about this research is important and what are its broader implications?
  • Experimental plan: A brief description of the Core Facility services to be used.
  • Data use: Explanation of how the data will be used (new grant submission or resubmission, manuscript, etc)
• Specify the need for financial assistance (500-word maximum), such as:
  • The PI 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.
  • Other considerations.
  • 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 8.68% 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 an annual Impact Report for three fiscal years (three reports in total)

Additional file uploads

All applicants will also need to upload these additional supporting documents:

• SignedÌýÌýÌýFY25 Core Facility Voucher Program Cover Page
• Detailed quote for the core services (required for all applicants)
• A budget generated from the provided template that automatically calculates and adds the 8.68% GAIR to the quote.
  • Note: RIO and the CVFP will not pay for GAIR.Ìý

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

The maximum per request is $2,000 per core facility.ÌýThere will be no no-cost extension, and the funds must be spent by the end of FY26.

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 8.49% GAIR to the quote.

Deadline

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please allow 2–3 weeks for review and decision on the proposal.ÌýFunds must be used by June 30, 2025.ÌýNo new voucher awards will be made after April 30, 2026.

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 8.68% 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

Review

Members of the Cores Executive Committee will review the submitted proposals. Review criteria include: 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
• Track record of the PI in grant submissions and publications

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

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.

Any awarded grants or publications must acknowledge support from the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Financial Futures Program.

By accepting the award, the recipient and the PI agree to acknowledge the "ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ FY26 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.