Division announcements

Federal administration transition impact on research activities

The federal administration has enacted a number of Executive Orders that have implications for the University of Nevada, Reno, research community and our federal proposals and awards.

All division announcements, new external funding opportunities and division event invites are sent out through our ResearchNotes group email list.

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Proposal and project support and resources

 

 

Funding opportunities and resources

 

Research ethics, responsible conduct, security and safety

Whether you’re working with animal or human subjects, in an art studio or a lab, the University expects everyone to do their part to conduct ethical, safe and responsible research. Advisors and mentors need to assure that they are meeting regulations within their space and that students and trainees receive guidance in areas such as: research integrity, data acquisition and management, authorship, research collaborations, conflicts of interest, and others as appropriate.

Researcher standing with a test subject with their head held in position on a test stand working on an experiment relating to the neuroscience of vision

Research compliance and training

Working with animals

Visit Animal Resources for assistance with any research or teaching use of vertebrate animals.

Working with human subjects

Health and safety for your space

Visit Environmental Health & Safety for assistance with any of the topics listed below or any other health and safety related issues.

  • Establish a lab, studio or creative space
  • Your responsibilities in terms of safety
  • Required training for your research group
  • Waste disposal practices (chemical, biological, radioactive, electronic)
  • Injuries or exposure to hazardous materials
  • Working with biological agents
  • Wearing respirators
  • Certifying or repairing a biosafety cabinet
  • Building environmental permits
 

Commercializing research

The Enterprise & Innovation team is available to assist researchers with protecting intellectual property (IP) – including filing for patents – and finding commercial partners to help bring your novel research into the world. The process may sound complex and daunting, but we are here to assist you every step of the way.

Person in an engineering lab working on an experimental set-up that is inside a protective clear plastic, fully-enclosed bubble with sealed-glove access ports - the person's arms are in the glove ports

Patents, commercialization & licensing services

We have a broad range of services and support for every part of the commercialization process, with resources for University employees and students, and external businesses and entrepreneurs.

  • Obtain assistance with filing for patents and protecting your innovations
  • Learn about our step by step process to research commercialization
  • See how intellectual property ownership is handled through the University
  • Find or list technologies that are available for license
  • Report your innovation by filing a disclosure

Commercialization services and support

Non-disclosure & material transfer agreements

We have a streamlined process for initiating agreement contracts using your NetID for University internal users and a simple login process for external users.

Non-disclosure agreements protect the confidentiality of proprietary information that is being exchanged. Material transfer agreements establish the rights and obligations for the exchange of tangible and intangible research material.

Research agreement information (NDAs & MTAs)

Funding and grant support for innovations

Overview of funding and grant services for technology commercialization

  • Request letters of support and commercialization plans for grant proposals
  • Obtain advice, training and support for SBIR and STTR grants
  • Learn about competitions, venture capital programs and other funding resources

WolfCorps

The WolfCorps program is designed to prepare University teams to apply for the Bay Area Regional I-Corps training course. The I-Corps offers an immersive experience for the process of moving research innovations into products and services.

Sierra Accelerator for Growth & Entrepreneurship (SAGE)

SAGE helps Nevada technology entrepreneurs win competitive grant funding from the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs. These programs provide funding in excess of $100,000.

 
 

Celebrating research through awards and fellowships

Research & Innovation is continually working on initiatives to recognize faculty and reward creativity, productivity and innovative research endeavors.

Foundation Innovation Award

We award two faculty or staff members annually for contributions to innovation or the commercialization of ideas that impact and benefit the public’s well-being. We consider innovation to be all forms of discovery, creation and production of inventive and progressive ideas, methods, and products that promote society’s growth. Our categories for the two awards are the Early Career Innovator Award and the Established Innovator Award. The recipients will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony and receive $5,000 for their work.

Outstanding Researcher Award

One University faculty member is awarded annually for a distinguished record in research or creative activities over their academic career. The faculty member must have contributed a meaningful amount of their work while a member of the University of Nevada, Reno. The evaluation is based on records and supporting material supplied by the faculty member. An award of $5,000 will be presented to the recipient at the Honor the Best Ceremony.

Excellence in Laboratory Safety Award

We award one research group led by a University faculty member annually for demonstrating leadership in laboratory safety and upholding the University’s core values of safety and environmental stewardship. The research group must be one whose research involves laboratory work and use of any combination of chemicals, biological materials, lasers, radioactive materials, or physical hazards. The recipient will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony and receive $2,000.

Regents' Awards for Research

Nominations for the annual Regents’ awards for research are reviewed through Research & Innovation. The awards are given annually to NSHE faculty members at UNR, UNLV and DRI. Any NSHE employee or student can nominate faculty members for the campus selection process.

  • Regents’ Researcher Awards – $5,000 for distinguished records in research
    • Regents' Researcher – Distinguished-Career
    • Regents' Researcher – Mid-Career
    • Regents' Researcher – Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Regents’ Creative Activities Award – $5,000 for a distinguished record in creative activities
  • Jason Geddes Regents’ Rising Researcher Award – $2,000 for early-career accomplishments

Research & Innovation Leadership Fellows Program

This professional development program offers faculty the opportunity to gain experience toward potential career opportunities in research administration. The Research & Innovation Leadership Fellow will develop a deeper understanding of the administration of a research enterprise; interact with University leadership and stakeholders at the local, state, national, and international level; and participate in the development of policies and procedures relevant to faculty members and the research enterprise. This is a five month appointment for an equivalent of one day per week (20% effort).

 

Awardee spotlights

Ying Yang and Brian Sandoval smile for a photo, with Yang holding a framed certificate.

Yang named 2025 Foundation Early Career Innovator
Ying Yang's work has a strong upward trajectory.

Headshot of Valerie Fridland.

Professor Valerie Fridland receives competitive Fellowship for the second time
The National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship is supporting Fridland in the completion of another book.

Vladimir Pravosudov stands next to President Sandoval holding a certificate on a stage.

Vladimir Pravosudov named Regents’ Outstanding Researcher
Pravosudov’s research on chickadees has led to fascinating insights about bird cognition.

Nine people stand in front of the Laxalt Mining Engineering Building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

Chemical & Materials Engineering professor wins national award for work on corrosion science
Dev Chidambaram and his researchers study electron transfer reactions — including those involved in corrosion.

A woman in a blue helmet and vest paddling a blue kayak.

Laurel Genzoli receives Hynes Award for New Investigators from Society for Freshwater Science
Postdoctoral scholar recognized for research on toxic algal blooms and water quality.

A woman looks at fish tanks in a research lab.

Evolutionary biologist Misty Riddle receives NSF CAREER Award
Riddle will explore the genetic basis of host-microbiome interactions.

Four men and one woman stand in a line in front of a grassy area, trees and a red brick building.

Novel health screening tool to diagnose TB gets a shot
Xiaoshan Zhu and team receive $5 million NSF award to develop a point-of-care sensor.