Joe C. Wen Research Support Fund

Program Overview

The Collaborative Research Seed Grant Program supports interdisciplinary nursing science collaborations that can generate compelling preliminary data for major multi-investigator extramural applications. Projects must serve as a foundation for future opportunities such as multi-PI NIH R01 applications, P-series program or center grants, U-series cooperative agreements, or major cross-disciplinary foundation awards.

Partnership Structure & Eligibility

• Lead PI: Must hold a primary faculty appointment in the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing.
• Co-PI: Must hold a primary faculty appointment in the School of Nursing or another UCLA school.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: Proposals must demonstrate meaningful dual leadership and true integration between nursing science and the partner discipline.

Award Details & Budget Guidelines

• Total Funding Allocation: $100,000 total pool.
• Allowable Expenses: Examples are Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) support, technical/lab personnel, specialized assays or software fees, data collection expenses, participant recruitment incentives, and core facility recharge fees.
• Unallowable Expenses: Faculty salary/effort, travel expenses, subcontracts outside of UCLA, or general equipment purchases.

Proposal Requirements & Structure

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF package containing the following sections:

1. Cover Page (1 page): Project title, PI/Co-PI details (names, academic ranks, departments).
2. Specific Aims (1 page): Clear hypotheses, specific 12-month objectives and long-term goals.
3. Research Strategy (3 pages maximum, excluding references):
   • Significance & Innovation: Articulate the critical health problem and the novel interdisciplinary approach used to address it.
   • Team Science & Collaborative Integration: Describe the complementary roles of the Nursing PI and Co-PI, highlighting how the collaboration creates synergy beyond what either discipline could achieve independently.
   • Methodology: Outline rigorous scientific methods, study design, data collection plans, and analytic approaches achievable within the 12-month timeframe.
   • Extramural Funding Plan: Detailed strategy naming specific target funding agencies, mechanisms (e.g., NIH R01 multi-PI), and anticipated submission deadlines (within 12–18 months of seed grant completion).
4. Itemized Budget & Justification: Detailed breakdown of projected expenses.
5. Biosketches: Required for PI, Co-PI, and key personnel.

Review Criteria & Key Dates

Proposals will undergo peer review managed by the School of Nursing Faculty Research Committee, with ad hoc reviewers selected from partner disciplines. Evaluation criteria include:

• Scientific Merit & Innovation
• Quality of Interdisciplinary Integration & Team Science
• Feasibility of 12-Month Scope
• Competitiveness for Follow-on Extramural Multi-PI Funding

Key Program Dates

• Call for Proposals Release: October 6, 2026
• Application Deadline: January 8, 2027 (5:00 PM PST)
• Award Announcements: February 15, 2027
• Funding Period: February 15, 2027 – February 14, 2028

Mandatory Stewardship, Accountability & Reporting Terms

Awardees agree to the following terms upon accepting the award:

• Donor Stewardship & Presentation: Participate in a special donor showcase event with Mr. Joe C. Wen. Deliver a 3-minute executive presentation on your research vision and submit a personal testimonial highlighting how the award advances your career and research at UCLA.
• Work-in-Progress (WIP) Seminars: Present interim findings, methodological challenges, and grant outlines at one school-wide Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar during the funding period.
• Branding & Acknowledgments: All publications, conference abstracts, preliminary data figures, and extramural grant submissions resulting from this fund must explicitly cite:

"This research was supported by the Joe C. Wen Research Support Fund Collaborative Research Seed Grant Program at the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing."

• Final Progress & ROI Report (Due March 15, 2028): A comprehensive end-of-year report detailing:
  • Key scientific findings and preliminary datasets generated.
  • Status of peer-reviewed manuscript submissions.
  • Target extramural grant application details (agency, grant mechanism, submission date, and requested budget).

Submission & Inquiries

Send your completed single-PDF application packet to Ingrid Cuellar at Ingrid Ceullar with the subject line: Collaborative Seed Grant Application - [PI Last Name] by January 8, 2027.

For urgent inquiries, please contact Dong Sung An directly.

Program Overview

Program Overview

The Emerging Technology & AI Seed Grants support high-impact projects that use emerging technologies to improve patient outcomes, nursing practice, health equity or health-care systems.

Eligibility Criteria & Team Structure

• Lead PI: Must hold a primary faculty appointment in the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partnerships with departments that combine technical AI expertise with clinical or data science infrastructure are strongly encouraged to ensure technical feasibility and scientific rigor

Award Details & Budget Guidelines

• Total Funding Allocation: $100,000 total pool.
• Award Amount: Up to $50,000-$10,000 per project (funding 1 or 2 high-impact technology projects over a 12-month period).
• Allowable Expenses: Directly tied to the proposed project.
• Unallowable Expenses: Faculty salary/effort or general-purpose hardware.

Proposal Requirements & Structure

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF package containing the following sections:

1. Cover Page (1 page): Project title, PI/co-investigator details (names, ranks, departments).
2. Specific Aims (1 page): Clear problem statement, technology hypothesis, and specific 12-month objectives.
3. Research Strategy (3 pages maximum, excluding references):
   • Significance & Innovation: Articulate the critical nursing challenge and how the proposed technology provides a novel solution.
   • Technical & Methodological Approach: Sound study design, technology development/deployment plan, data privacy/security protocols, and analytic strategy.
   • Feasibility & Prototype Readiness: Current state of the technology (e.g., prototype, algorithm, or data pipeline) and concrete milestones achievable within 12 months.
   • Extramural Funding Plan: Strategy naming specific target funding agencies and mechanisms and anticipated submission deadlines within 12–18 months of grant completion.
4. Itemized Budget & Justification: Detailed breakdown of projected expenses.
5. Biosketches: Required for PI, co-investigators, and key technical advisors.

Review Criteria & Key Dates

Proposals will undergo peer review managed by the School of Nursing Research Committee, with ad hoc domain experts in informatics and engineering. Evaluation criteria include:

• Scientific & Technological Innovation
• Merit & Relevance to Nursing Science
• Technical Feasibility & Rigor of Methodological Design
• Competitiveness for Major Follow-on Extramural Funding

Key Program Dates

• Call for Proposals Release: October 6, 2026
• Application Deadline: January 8, 2027 (5:00 PM PST)
• Award Announcements: February 15, 2027
• Funding Period: February 15, 2027 – February 14, 2028

Mandatory Stewardship, Accountability & Reporting Terms

Awardees agree to the following terms upon accepting the award:

• Donor Stewardship & Presentation: Participate in a special donor showcase event with Mr. Joe C. Wen. Deliver a 3-minute executive presentation on your tech innovation and submit a personal testimonial highlighting how the award advances your research at UCLA.
• Work-in-Progress (WIP) Seminars: Present interim technical milestones, pilot findings, and grant outlines at one school-wide Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar during the funding period.
• Branding & Acknowledgments: All publications, conference abstracts, software code releases, and grant applications resulting from this fund must explicitly cite.

"Research supported by the Joe C. Wen Emerging Technology & AI Seed Grant at the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing."

• Final Progress & ROI Report (Due March 15, 2028): A comprehensive end-of-year report detailing:
  • Key scientific and technological milestones achieved.
  • Status of peer-reviewed manuscript submissions and intellectual property (IP) disclosures.
  • Target extramural grant application details (agency, grant mechanism, submission date, and requested budget).

Submission & Inquiries

Send your completed single-PDF application packet to Ingrid Cuellar at Ingrid Cuellar with the subject line: AI & Emerging Tech Grant Application - [PI Last Name] by January 8, 2027.

For urgent inquiries regarding technical scope or interdisciplinary matchmaking, please contact Dong Sung An directly.

Program Overview

This program supports teaching faculty undertaking projects in educational innovation, pedagogical research and evidence-based clinical practice. Projects should evaluate new teaching methods, implement evidence-based practices or produce scholarship that advances nursing education and care delivery.

Eligibility Criteria

• Target Faculty: Open exclusively to primary UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing teaching faculty.
• Role: Must serve as Lead Principal Investigator on the proposal. Interdisciplinary and interprofessional project team members are welcome as co-investigators.

Award Details & Budget Guidelines

• Total Funding Allocation: $50,000 total pool.
• Award Amount: Up to $12,500 per project (funding 4 impactful projects over a 12-month period).
• Allowable Expenses: Directly tied to the proposed project.
• Unallowable Expenses: Faculty salary/effort or general equipment purchases.

Proposal Requirements & Structure

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF package containing the following sections:

1. Cover Page (1 page): Project title, applicant details (rank, title, department series) and co-investigators.
2. Specific Aims (1 page): Clear problem statement, hypotheses or practice/learning objectives, and specific 12-month milestones.
3. Project Strategy (3 pages maximum, excluding references):
   • Significance & Educational Innovation: Describe the gap in nursing education and how the project addresses it with a novel approach.
   • Methodology & Implementation Plan: Detail project design, educational intervention, data collection metrics, participant cohort (students, trainees, or patient populations), and evaluation plan.
   • Dissemination Strategy: Clear plan for scholarly dissemination, including target peer-reviewed educational journals and national conference presentations.
4. Itemized Budget & Justification: Detailed breakdown of projected costs.
5. Biosketches: Biosketch for the Principal Investigator and key team members.

Review Criteria & Key Dates

Proposals will undergo peer review managed by the ad hoc reviewers selected from teaching disciplines. Evaluation criteria include:

• Educational Merit & Innovation
• Methodological Rigor & Evaluation Plan
• Potential Impact on Nursing Pedagogy Outcomes
• Feasibility of 12-Month Timeline and Scholarly Dissemination Plan

Key Program Dates

• Call for Proposals Release: October 6, 2026
• Application Deadline: January 8, 2027 (5:00 PM PST)
• Award Announcements: February 15, 2027
• Funding Period: February 15, 2027 – February 14, 2028

Mandatory Stewardship, Accountability & Reporting Terms

Awardees agree to the following terms upon accepting the award:

• Donor Stewardship & Presentation: Participate in a special donor showcase event with Mr. Joe C. Wen. Deliver a 3-minute executive presentation on your educational or clinical innovation and submit a personal testimonial highlighting how the award advances your career and practice at UCLA.
• Work-in-Progress (WIP) Seminars: Present interim project progress, educational metrics, or practice outcomes at one school-wide Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar during the funding period.
• Branding & Acknowledgments: All publications, conference abstracts, educational materials, and presentations resulting from this fund must explicitly cite:

"Supported by the Joe C. Wen Teaching Professor Research Support Grant at the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing."

• Final Progress & ROI Report (Due March 15, 2028): A comprehensive end-of-year report detailing:
  • Key pedagogical findings and educational outcome metrics.
  • Status of peer-reviewed manuscript submissions and conference presentations.
  • Curricular tools generated for ongoing use at UCLA.

Submission & Inquiries

Send your completed single-PDF application packet to Ingrid Cuellar with the subject line: Teaching Professor Grant Application - [PI Last Name] by January 8, 2027.

For urgent inquiries, please contact Dong Sung An directly.

Program Overview

The Statistical Analysis Voucher Program provides access to specialized biostatistical consulting, REDCap data-collection infrastructure, advanced study-design support and statistical review. Services are delivered in partnership with the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute Biostatistics Program and the UCLA Department of Medicine Statistics Core.

Award Details & Eligibility

• Total Allocation: $50,000 total pool.
• Award Amount: To be determined by the initial consultation with the CTSI / DOM Statistics Core (redeemable directly against UCLA CTSI / DOM Statistics Core recharge service fees).
• Eligibility: All primary Joe C. Wen School of Nursing faculty members.
• Review & Deployment: Vouchers are awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are fully committed.

Pre-Application Requirement: Initial Core Consultation

Prior to submitting an application, applicants must contact the core to discuss their project scope and obtain an estimated budget quote.

1. Get an Estimate: Use this online form SoM - Consultation Request Form to schedule a preliminary intake discussion and request a written fee estimate/quote outlining projected consultant hours. State you are applying for the Joe C. Wen Statistical Analysis Voucher Program.
2. Previous Collaborators: Faculty are encouraged to review core team members on the Department of Medicine Statistics Core Homepage. If you have had prior successful collaborations with specific statisticians in the core, you may request to work with them on follow-on projects.

Application Requirements & Proposal Structure

To apply, please submit a brief request package in a single PDF containing:

1. Applicant & Project Information: Name, academic rank, series, and project title.
2. Project Description & Specific Aims: Brief summary of the proposed or ongoing research project (1 page).
3. Scope of Statistical / Data Need: Clear explanation of required core services (e.g., power calculations for an upcoming NIH grant, REDCap database setup, or manuscript revision modeling).
4. Target Deliverables & Timeline:
   • Specific extramural grant mechanism and targeted submission cycle (e.g., NIH R01 January 2027 cycle), OR
   • Target peer-reviewed journal for manuscript submission.
5. CTSI / DOM Statistics Core Fee Quote: Attached written estimate from the core consultant.

Mandatory Stewardship, Accountability & Reporting Terms

Voucher recipients agree to the following terms upon accepting the award:

• Service Utilization: Utilize allocated CTSI / DOM Statistics Core services within 6 months of award notice.
• Donor Stewardship & Presentation: Participate in a special donor showcase event with Mr. Joe C. Wen. Deliver a 3-minute executive presentation on your research vision and submit a personal testimonial highlighting how the award advances your scholarship at UCLA.
• Work-in-Progress (WIP) Seminars: Present interim findings, study design strategies, or statistical methodologies at one school-wide Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar session during the academic year.
• Branding & Acknowledgments: All publications, conference abstracts, and grant proposals resulting from this support must explicitly cite:

"Biostatistical support for this work was provided through the Joe C. Wen Research Support Fund Statistical Analysis Voucher Program at the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing and the UCLA CTSI."

• Final Progress & ROI Report: A brief report submitted upon completion detailing resulting manuscript submissions or grant submissions (including agency, mechanism, and budget).

Submission & Inquiries

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Please submit your completed single-PDF application package to Ingrid Cuellar with the subject line: Statistical Voucher Application - [Faculty Last Name].

For urgent inquiries, please contact Dong Sung An directly.

Program Overview

This program provides funding for professional grant editing, pre-submission peer review and writing assistance intended to strengthen high-stakes extramural proposals.

Eligible Voucher Services Include:

• Comprehensive Grant Editing: Structural editing, proofreading, stylistic refinement, and formatting alignment with agency guidelines (e.g., NIH, HRSA, AHRQ, DoD, or major foundation standards).
• Pre-Submission Peer Review ("Red Team" Review): Scientific review and critical critique of grant narrative drafts by experienced external or internal grant consultants prior to submission.
• Grant Writing & Formatting Support: Consultation on Specific Aims refinement, narrative flow, logic models, and resource/environment statements.

Award Details & Eligibility

• Award Amount: Up to $1,500 – $3,000 per voucher (covering contracted external editing/review services arranged or approved by the Office of Research and Innovation).
• Eligibility: All primary UCLA School of Nursing faculty across the Tenure-Track, Health Sciences Clinical, and Adjunct series.
• Priority Criteria: Priority is given to faculty submitting major multi-year extramural applications (e.g., NIH R01, R21, K-series, U-series, or equivalent national foundation awards).
• Review & Deployment: Vouchers are awarded on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are fully committed.

Application Requirements & How to Apply

To apply, please submit a brief request (2 pages maximum) in a single PDF to the Office of Research and Innovation containing:

1. Applicant Information: Name, academic rank, series, and project title.
2. Target Grant Information:
   • Funding Agency / Institute (e.g., NIH/NINR, HRSA).
   • Grant Mechanism (e.g., R01, R21, K23).
   • Official Agency Submission Deadline.
3. Draft Specific Aims Page: Attach a current draft of your Specific Aims page.
4. Scope of Support Requested: Detail the specific editing or pre-submission review services needed (e.g., full narrative copyedit, Red Team scientific review of Specific Aims + Research Strategy).
5. Timeline: Confirmation that a complete grant draft will be ready at least 4 weeks prior to the agency deadline to allow sufficient time for professional review and editing.

Awardee Expectations & Acknowledgment

Voucher recipients agree to:

• Submit the final grant application to the targeted agency on or before the specified deadline.
• Share agency summary statements/reviews with the Office of Research and Innovation upon receipt.
• Present study progress during a school-wide Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar session.
• Explicitly cite support in all resulting proposals and publications using the following statement:

"Pre-submission editorial and grant development support was provided through the Joe C. Wen Research Support Fund Grant Writing & Editing Voucher Program at the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing."

Submission & Inquiries

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting October 1, 2026. Please submit your completed application package electronically to the Office of Research and Innovation.

For questions regarding vendor selection, scope of service, or application eligibility, please contact our office directly.

Program Overview

The Distinguished Scholar Seminar Series will bring two to three national or international research leaders to campus during the 2026–2027 academic year. Visits may include a school-wide keynote, faculty and trainee workshops, and individual research consultations.

Scope & Scholar Engagement

Each sponsored visit will feature a multi-day, in-person campus visit designed to maximize scientific interaction, mentorship, and research collaboration across our community.

Visiting Scholar Itineraries Will Include:

• School-Wide Keynote Address: A major scientific lecture showcasing cutting-edge advancements in nursing science, health equity, emerging technologies, or clinical care.
• Interactive Faculty & Trainee Workshops: Specialized research enhancing sessions or roundtables tailored for our faculty, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows.
• 1-on-1 Research Consultations: Dedicated individual meeting blocks for our faculty and students to discuss ongoing research, study designs, and potential extramural collaborations with the visiting scholar.

Nomination Criteria & Guidelines

Faculty may submit individual or joint nominations. Nominees should be recognized research pioneers, NIH/extramurally funded principal investigators, or national/international leaders in fields vital to nursing science.

Submission Requirements (1 Page Maximum)

Nominations must be submitted in a single PDF and include:

1. Nominator Information: Name, academic rank, and series of the nominating faculty member(s).
2. Nominee Information: Full name, current academic title, institution, link to CV/faculty profile, and primary research focus.
3. Justification & Strategic Fit:
   • Impact of the scholar’s research on nursing science and healthcare.
   • Specific alignment with Joe C. Wen UCLA School of Nursing research priorities.
   • Rationale for how their visit will benefit faculty and student’s productivity and trainee development.
4. Proposed Visit Outline: Suggested timing (Winter 2027, Spring 2027) and proposed topics for workshops or 1-on-1 faculty consultations.

Review & Selection Process

• Nomination Deadline: rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are fully committed.
• Review Body: The School of Nursing Research Committee will evaluate nominations based on scientific excellence, institutional prestige, and potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.

How to Submit

Send your completed single-PDF application packet to Ingrid Cuellar with the subject line: "Joe C. Wen Distinguished Scholar Nomination - [Nominee Last Name]".

We look forward to reviewing your nominations and hosting a transformative seminar series this academic year.

Program Overview

The Rapid Response Fund provides flexible support for unexpected, time-sensitive research needs that could otherwise interrupt active research. Examples include equipment repairs, database access, recruitment incentives and emergency preliminary data collection.

Eligibility

UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing faculty

Examples of Research Needs

• equipment repairs
• database access
• participant recruitment incentives
• emergency preliminary data collection

Review & Deployment

Reviewed on a rolling basis year-round until funds are fully expended.

Application Process (Streamlined 1-Page Format)

To apply, submit a single 1-page PDF document to the Office of Research and Innovation containing:

1. Investigator Information: Name, academic rank, series, and contact information.
2. Title & Context: Project title and a brief overview of the parent research project.
3. Urgency & Rationale: Explanation of the urgent/unforeseen research need and why immediate funding is critical (e.g., impact if funding is delayed).
4. Itemized Budget Justification: Precise breakdown of requested costs and expected vendor/service timelines.

Awardee Expectations & Acknowledgment

Recipients agree to:

• Utilize all awarded funds within 90 days of approval.
• Submit a brief 1-paragraph summary report upon completion detailing how the funds resolved the immediate research barrier.
• Explicitly cite support in resulting publications or proposals using the following statement:

"Emergency research support was provided through the Joe C. Wen Research Support Fund Rapid Response Program at the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing."

How to Apply

Email your completed single-PDF application packet to Ingrid Cuellar with the subject line: "Rapid Response Fund Request - [Faculty Last Name]". Applications are accepted on a continuous rolling basis starting October 6, 2026. 

For urgent inquiries regarding funding eligibility or administrative routing, please contact Dong Sung An directly.