One K-State Fund request for proposals open for 2026-2027 academic year

Kansas State University is accepting requests for proposals for eight One K-State Fund program areas for the 2026-2027 academic year. Faculty, staff and academic units may apply for more than $2.7 million in funding and recognition opportunities that support academic program innovation, energy research, interdisciplinary scholarship and faculty distinction.

Proposals accepting applications

• Academic Innovation Fund: $1 million available; proposals due Oct. 1.
  The Academic Innovation Fund supports the development of new noncredit microcredentials and new or redesigned degree programs, including interdisciplinary, competency-based and reduced-credit options, that respond to workforce needs and expand access.
• Secure Energy Initiative: $500,000 available; proposals due Oct. 1.
  The Secure Energy Initiative seed grants support interdisciplinary energy research across four pillars: advanced nuclear systems, grid integration and reliability, grid-independent systems and advanced manufacturing and supply chain. Of the total, $250,000 is matched by state nuclear funding and reserved for the Advanced Nuclear Systems Pillar.
• DASH award: $100,000 available; proposals due Oct. 1.
  The Design, Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities award provides 10 one-time, one-year grants of $10,000 to support faculty research, scholarship and creative activity — from empirical and theoretical research to applied design, the scholarship of teaching and learning and creative works in writing, art, music and theater. Half the fund, $50,000, is matched by the Office of the Vice President for Research.
• University Outstanding Scholars: Recognition award; proposals due March 1, 2027.
  This program recognizes tenured associate professors on an accelerated path to academic distinction. Honorees receive a permanent $10,000 salary increase, funded by One K-State for five years before transitioning to college budgets; a formal university designation; and a seat in ongoing university leadership conversations.
• Ad Astra Intramural Grants Program: $1 million available annually; proposals due Oct. 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027.
  This fall, K-State is launching the new Ad Astra Intramural Grants Program, a new suite of university-level funding opportunities designed to strengthen competitiveness for external funding, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and advance innovation toward commercialization. Administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research and funded in partnership with the One K-State Fund through the Office of the President, the program will provide $1 million annually through LAUNCH seed grants, THRUST resubmission awards and ORBIT interdisciplinary team-development awards, with additional KSURF-funded TOUCHDOWN awards supporting the commercialization of K-State intellectual property. The two competitive submission periods each year provide faculty with predictable opportunities to seek support for research at distinct stages of development.
• Humanities, Education and Arts Research Travel Program: Proposals due Oct. 1, 2026 and March 1, 2027.
  Launching this fall is the Humanities, Education, and Arts Research Travel, or HEART, Program, an exciting new internal grant opportunity supporting faculty who present original humanities, education, arts, architecture, design or social science research and creative work at significant professional venues in the United States and abroad. Funded by the One K-State Fund, with matching funds from the Office of the Vice President for Research, HEART will offer domestic travel awards of up to $2,000 and international travel awards of up to $4,000. Proposals will be accepted twice annually, with deadlines on Oct. 1 and March 1, and awards will reimburse allowable travel expenses in accordance with K-State policy.

The One K-State Fund supports strategic investments to advance the university's Next-Gen K-State strategic plan and its land-grant mission of teaching, research and engagement. Full eligibility criteria, guidelines and submission instructions for each program are available online for each fund.

— Submitted by Ian Jacobs