Proposals Due:
November 1, 2026 11:59pm ET
Direct questions to Dr Mykal Leslie
(mykal.leslie@uky.edu)
Introduction
The Human Development Institute (HDI) is pleased to announce 2027 Fund for Excellence (FFE) funding is available to support projects of scientific merit that will generate competitive submissions for external funding. All full-time HDI staff and UK faculty are encouraged to develop project ideas and submit applications. Project teams may be led by faculty not formally affiliated with HDI but must include an HDI staff or faculty (faculty who are affiliated with HDI through demonstrated ongoing involvement in LEND, Certificate in Universal Design, Certificate in Developmental Disabilities Leadership, College and Career Studies, or other HDI project). Project teams are encouraged to include student researchers.
Webinar – Program Overview
Zoom Webinar Overview – September 12th 10:00am EST
Purpose of the Program
This notice solicits applications for seed projects that will include clear evidence of potential for future external funding and address a critical issue for people with disabilities, families, and/or their networks of support. Critical topics can include but are not limited to:
- Assistive technology
- Early childhood
- Education
- Employment
- Evaluation
- Health
- Leadership
- Self-advocacy
- Universal design
Program Goal
Tangible results are expected from the funding, including submission for external funding within 12 months from the funding conclusion. Applicants are required to detail the external funding opportunity, including the funding announcement number/link and application deadline, if available.
Funding
Funding for this initiative is provided by the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute. Competitive applicants will craft an application that meets all stated requirements and proposes a highly meritorious project.
Funding Details
- Award: One award of up to $25,000
- Duration: 12-month project period
Key Dates
- Release of Request for Proposals: September 1, 2026
- Overview of funding opportunity webinar: September 15, 2026
- Proposal due date: November 1, 2026
- Notification of funding decision: December 1, 2026
- Anticipated project start date: January 1, 2027
Funding Guidance
The HDI FFE welcomes applicants to budget as needed to conduct their proposed study. When developing your budget, keep in mind that indirect costs are not included. A budget template and guidance for budget justification are included at the end of this document.
Note: The review committee will make budgetary recommendations that may impact the final award amount.
Proposal Components, Formatting Requirements, & Submission Process
Proposal Components
- Project Summary/Abstract (250 words, maximum)
- Specific Aims/Rationale (1 page)
- State concisely the goals of the proposed research and summarize the expected outcomes, including the impact the results will have on the research fields involved.
- List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed (e.g., to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology).
- Research Plan (2-3 pages)
Describe the significance, innovation and approach.
Significance
- Explain the importance of the problem or barrier the proposed project addresses. Describe the scientific premise supporting the project, including key strengths, gaps, or preliminary data that justify the approach. Outline how the project will advance knowledge, methods, or practice. Briefly discuss how achieving the proposed aims could inform or improve services, interventions, or policy relevant to disparities experienced by people with disabilities. Describe how the project will advance HDI’s mission.
Innovation
- Explain how the project challenges or enhances current research or practice. Highlight any novel concepts, methods, or approaches being developed or tested. Describe the advantages or improvements these innovations offer compared with existing strategies. Clarify how the project’s innovative aspects will generate preliminary insights to support future large-scale studies or applications.
Approach
- Describe the overall strategy, design, and methods to accomplish the proposed aims. Explain how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted to ensure rigor and feasibility. Identify potential challenges or alternative strategies and define clear benchmarks for success. Address how the project will establish feasibility or manage any high risk aspects of the work. Note any relevant variables (e.g., demographic or contextual factors) that will be considered in the design and analysis.
- Include a timeline for activities
- Describe the plans beyond the seed project, including dissemination plans, such as publications and presentations.
- Budget / Justification (maximum 2 pages)
- Provide a line-item budget and justification for each budget item or category
- Abbreviated curriculum vita or biosketch for project lead (3 page limit)
- References (do not count toward the page total)
- Letters of commitment, if necessary for project success (do not count toward the page total)
Formatting Requirements
- Document type: All proposal components should be combined into one compiled PDF and uploaded into the submission portal and saved using the following approach to naming: FY27_FFE_YourName
- Required font: Arial, 12pt, single-spaced
- Margin limit: 1.0” all sides
- Page limit: Six single-spaced pages, not including abstract, cv/biosketch, references, or letters of commitment
Submission Process
Submit the completed application here
Review Process
The review committee will review proposals using a scoring rubric based on the criteria outlined below. They will also assess whether the proposed budget and timeline are appropriate for the scope and nature of the project.
Each proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Significance: Does the proposed project address a critical issue in the field? Does the study have the potential to generate new knowledge?
- Innovation: Does the proposal utilize novel theoretical concepts, approaches, methodologies, or instrumentation, or apply existing concepts to new problems?
- Approach: Are the intended research activities well described and feasible within the project timeline? Are the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses well- reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the specific aims of the project?
- Alignment: Does the proposed study advance the mission and values of HDI? Does the research team have the required expertise and experience to conduct the proposed research study?
- Budget: Is the budget reasonable in terms of the project approach?
- Evidence of future research and funding potential: Does the proposed research show unambiguous evidence of potential for future funding? Does the proposal adhere to the specific requirement regarding a clear expectation of the next steps toward external funding and dissemination?
Post-Award Expectations
All publications, presentations and other creative activities resulting from this award must include the following acknowledgement: “Funding was provided, in part, by the Human Development Institute.”
A final report is due 30 days after project completion. It must detail the tangible results such as citations for publications, presentations and next steps. Recipients are expected to be responsive to ongoing contact from the human development institute to assess progress and outcomes from the award. Awardees are also asked to present their project updates at hdi sponsored events upon request.
Questions?
Please reach out to Dr Mykal Leslie (mykal.leslie@uky.edu) with any questions or if you need to complete this application in an alternative format.
Budget Template
| Cost Category | Amount |
| Personnel | |
| Key Personnel | |
| Other Personnel | |
| Total Personnel | $ |
| Other Costs | |
| Travel | |
| Materials & Supplies | |
| Consultants or Services | |
| Other | |
| Total Other Costs | $ |
| Total Costs | $ |
Budget Justification
Personnel
Provide personnel name, title/position, estimated hours, and the rate of compensation proposed for each individual. For salaried personnel, provide percentage of time and annual salary; for hourly personnel, provide estimated hours and hourly rate. Other forms of compensation paid as or in lieu of wages to students performing necessary work are allowable provided that the other payments are reasonable compensation for the work performed and are conditioned explicitly upon the performance of necessary work. Note that health insurance, if provided, is to be included under fringe benefits. Include the overall fringe benefit rate (% of salary) applicable to each category of employee proposed in the project. If applicable, include prorated health and life insurance.
Other Costs
Travel
Provide purpose and estimated costs for all travel. Include all applicable travel details including location, number of personnel, number of days, per diem rate, lodging rate, mileage and mileage rate, airfare, etc.
Materials & Supplies
List all supplies to be purchased to conduct and disseminate the research. This may include computer software, computer expendables, supplies, and supplies for poster sessions, etc. Be as explicit as possible (e.g. unit costs, number of units, total cost for each item).
Services or Consultants
Identify the specific tasks for which these services or consultants would be used. Provide a detailed breakdown of the services or consultants to include personnel, time, salary, supplies, travel, etc.
Other Direct Costs
Itemize costs not included elsewhere, including publication costs. Provide a breakdown for costs listed under this category.