Grainger Engineers Accelerating Research (GEAR) Program

All first- and second-year full-time or part-time faculty members in the Grainger College of Engineering are automatically eligible to participate in GEAR and become GEAR Scholars.

Assistant faculty in their third year or beyond, or those with zero-percent appointments, may be considered on a case-by-case basis. To request consideration, please complete the GEAR Interest Form and contact a member of the GEAR team.

Participants can earn the GEAR Scholar designation by completing the following requirements:

• Attend at least 75% of the required sessions
• Share research concept and meet with (in-person or virtually) a Program Manager
• Share a draft proposal to be reviewed

GEAR Scholars receive hotel support for the annual Washington, D.C. trip and a signed certificate from the Grainger College of Engineering. 

1. Build Your Research Funding Portfolio

Develop a personalized strategy for securing research funding throughout your career. Drawing on over a decade of experience supporting Grainger faculty, GEAR introduces a practical framework to help you:

• Define your core research
• Generate competitive research ideas
• Identify funding sources
• Find targeted funding opportunities
• Develop stronger grant proposals
• Build relationships with industry and agency program managers

Throughout the academic year, you'll apply this framework to your own research through GEAR workshops and activities. The program culminates with an optional trip to Washington, D.C., where cohort members meet with federal agency program managers they have identified and scheduled. Building a successful research funding portfolio requires continued effort beyond the workshops, and GEAR is designed to provide the foundation, tools, and support to help you get started.

2. Expand Your Research Network and Resources

Connect with the people and resources that will support your research success. GEAR helps participants:

• Discover research resources available across The Grainger College of Engineering and the University of Illinois
• Learn about tools and services that support research development
• Build relationships with peers, mentors, and campus partners
• Gain insights and practical advice from experienced faculty who have successfully navigated the research funding landscape