In this issue
Research highlights | Leadership news | Innovation spotlight
New awards | Unsung heroes | Faculty kudos
Research development | Nuts & bolts | Upcoming events
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Regaining research momentum |
We are emerging from a year of profound challenges for research universities nationwide. I’m incredibly proud of how the University of Kansas research community persisted through uncertainty, and I’m energized by the opportunities ahead in 2026.
KU research expenditures surpassed the half-billion-dollar mark in FY 2024 for the first time in university history, and we’ll soon share exciting news about continued growth in 2025. Although new federal awards have stalled, we’re optimistic about regaining momentum as Congress works toward FY 26 funding bills that look promising for research and innovation. KU researchers are also on track to submit a record number of proposals this year — an extraordinary effort that positions us well for future success. Thank you.
In early February, we will announce the return of several long-standing internal funding programs — the New Faculty Research Development Award and KU Research GO — along with two one-time opportunities designed to support faculty pivoting toward shifting federal priorities and those building new One KU collaborations.
We are also studying recommendations from a recent peer assessment of KU’s research administration ecosystem and analyzing results from the fall Research Services Satisfaction Survey. We look forward to sharing insights and partnering with you to strengthen research support in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
As we move toward unifying research operations and strategy across all campuses through One KU, the challenges ahead become more manageable — and our potential impact grows. In my expanded role as One KU vice chancellor for research, I’m honored to help lead these efforts and to accelerate our collective progress.
Best wishes for a fulfilling spring semester.
Shelley Hooks
Vice Chancellor for Research
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Water is vital to the Kansas economy and the nation’s agribusiness. In recent decades, the Kansas water supply and quality have come under threat, and KU is leading the way in developing strategies to protect this precious resource — including providing data that has allowed farmers to decrease their water usage and extend the life of the Ogallala aquifer while generating greater profitability.
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A community-based project that builds on years of research showing benefits of exercise for people with disabilities will expand through a federal grant that will help University of Kansas researchers partner with fitness facilities adapted for people with mobility disabilities.
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KU scientists found that species diversity acts like an ecosystem’s immune system — boosting growth, resilience and long‑term ecosystem health. The findings support regenerative agriculture practices that build strong soil biomes.
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Tadeo Weiner Davis, assistant professor of social welfare, helped create the Stand Up KC Community Archive, which will be housed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. An exhibition of materials used in the movement opened Jan. 17.
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Three KU researchers have received the 2026 Steven F. Warren, Staff and Postdoctoral Research Achievement Awards recognizing outstanding unclassified academic staff, unclassified professional staff and postdoctoral fellows whose research has significantly influenced their fields and expanded intellectual or societal insights.
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The CEBC works to develop cleaner, safer, energy-efficient technologies that protect the planet and human health while training the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“I am honored to be appointed director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis,” Allgeier said. “Since its founding in 2003, excellence in research and workforce development has been the hallmark of CEBC. I look forward to building on that foundation as we focus on new use-inspired research that addresses real-world challenges.”
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Take your research further with NSF I-Corps |
KU researchers are invited to apply for the upcoming Regional NSF I-Corps cohort, a 5-week program designed to help research teams test the real-world value of their innovations through customer discovery and market exploration. The virtual Regional I-Corps program brings together faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in teams led by a technical lead and entrepreneurial lead, with industry mentors encouraged. Participants commit 8–10 hours per week, complete customer interviews and receive coaching throughout the program. Upon successful participation, the entrepreneurial lead is eligible for a $2,000 stipend. Cohorts are limited to 10 teams, and participation is required prior to applying for NSF I-Corps Nationals.
Application deadline: Feb. 9
Virtual cohort sessions: Feb. 23, March 2, March 9, March 23, March 30 (4 – 6 p.m. CST)
Interested in applying or learning more? Visit the NSF I-Corps Great Plains regional website for more details and application instructions, or email the KU Office of Economic Development to learn how to form a team and get started.
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Congratulations to KU innovator Steven Soper on being named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow |
This prestigious honor recognizes Soper’s decades of impactful discoveries in precision medicine and his commitment to translating research into real-world health solutions. With more than 20 patents and multiple startup companies, his work exemplifies the power of KU innovation to improve lives and drive economic impact.
The KU Center for Technology Commercialization is proud to support inventors like Soper, who help advance KU’s growing national reputation for research excellence and commercialization.
Interested in learning more about the National Academy of Inventors and KU’s NAI Fellows? Visit NAI’s website or explore KU’s growing community of recognized innovators.
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KU researchers are creating interventions for problem eating, validating novel cancer therapeutics, testing new crop analytics, estimating the economic impact of Kansas hospitals and more — all with the aid of external funding awarded in November and December.
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Behind every successful award are teams of KU research support staff who help investigators identify opportunities, prepare and submit complicated proposals under strict deadlines, help manage finances and compliance for funded projects, and more. They are the unsung heroes of KU research, greasing the wheels of innovation and discovery.
In each issue of KU Discoveries, we shine a spotlight on a research support staff member deemed particularly outstanding by colleagues. Click or tap the button below this month's story to nominate a deserving candidate from any unit on campus.
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Administrative associate supports research on sustainable refrigerants |
Emily Weiss | Administrative Associate | Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub
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Research centers rely on strong staff support to bring investigators together to solve complex societal challenges. At the Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH), a National Science Foundation-funded Engineering Research Center based at the University of Kansas, administrative associate Emily Weiss facilitates research by keeping operations running smoothly.
Weiss joined EARTH in January 2025 after earning KU bachelor’s degrees in communication & media studies and dance. Her work helps connect researchers from KU and at least eight partner universities as they develop sustainable alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants — chemicals that have 2,000 to 4,000 times the global-warming potential of carbon dioxide
“Emily’s professionalism and dedication elevate the center’s operations,” said Jessica Tami, EARTH research project manager.
Weiss coordinates scheduling, travel, purchasing, event planning and communication for the multi-institutional team. Her colleagues praise her strong organization, adaptability and proactive approach.
“She consistently anticipates needs, solves problems quickly and maintains a positive, collaborative attitude,” Tami said. “Her ability to balance multiple priorities while ensuring accuracy and timeliness demonstrates outstanding judgment and reliability.”
Weiss’s contributions were especially valuable during NSF site visits in March and October 2025.
“Emily went above and beyond her normal duties to ensure that the NSF EARTH annual meetings were a tremendous success,” said Mark Shifflett, Foundation Distinguished Professor of chemical & petroleum engineering and EARTH director.
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- Caroline Bennett, Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering, received the 2026 T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.
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Josh Bolick, head of the David Shulenburger Office of Scholarly Communication & Copyright in KU Libraries, was elected to the Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition Steering Committee. The organization, which represents 250 libraries and academic organizations across North America, supports open systems for research and education.
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Marco Caricato, professor of chemistry, received the October 2025 Sutton Family Research Impact Award from KU's Department of Chemistry.
- Will Ciconte, assistant professor of accounting, and his co-authors received the Best Paper Award at the 2025 Review of Accounting Studies Conference for their paper titled, “Using AI to Identify Exogenous Shocks and Conduct Archival Accounting Research.”
- Lisa Didion, assistant professor of special education, received the 2026 Council for Exceptional Children 2026 Outstanding Student Chapter Advisor Award.
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Donna Ginther, Roy A. Roberts & Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics and director of KU’s Institute for Policy & Social Research, received the 2025 Carolyn Shaw Bell Award from the American Economic Association. The award honors individuals who have furthered the status of women in economics.
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Brian Gordon, professor of sport management, was recognized by the Sport Marketing Association as a research fellow.
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Rongqing Hui, professor of electrical engineering & computer science and director of the Center for Communications, Networking & Photonics in KU’s Institute for Information Sciences, was named a 2026 Fellow of Optica, the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light.
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Krzysztof Kuczera, professor of chemistry, received the September 2025 Sutton Family Research Impact Award from KU's Department of Chemistry.
- Prakash Neupane, professor of medical oncology, was named a fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This honor recognizes his commitment to advancing cancer care and research.
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Sean Seyer, associate professor of history, received the 2026 Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics for his book, "Sovereign Skies: The Origins of American Civil Aviation Policy."
- Manar Shoshani, assistant professor of chemistry, received the November 2025 Sutton Family Research Impact Award from KU's Department of Chemistry.
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Join us for spring NSF CAREER + NIH grant writing seminars |
University of Kansas faculty members on any KU campus looking to increase their chances of securing funding from the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation CAREER program are invited to attend upcoming seminars associated with KU's NSF CAREER and NIH Grant Writing Workshops.
Brought to you by the KU Office of Research and the KU School of Journalism & Mass Communications, these seminars will cover key aspects of the proposal preparation process.
The seminar series resumes this spring with a session co-offered for both the NSF and NIH workshops:
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Simply Engaging: Crafting Clear, Concise Prose
Lisa McLendon, School of Journalism & Mass Communications
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Join a Collaborative Research Luncheon on data science |
Please join us for a Collaborative Research Luncheon focused on data science. From the arts and humanities through the sciences — on all campuses — data is at the heart of the KU research enterprise. Join us as we consider the myriad ways in which we depend on data, from its acquisition to its management, security, sharing, interpretation and more.
The luncheon will feature a panel of experts, table-based conversations, and opportunities for networking.
Collaborative Research Luncheon No. 6: Data Science
Tuesday, Feb. 10 | 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Forum A, Burge Union
Register today
Visit the Collaborative Research Luncheon webpage to preview topics and save dates for future sessions.
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In 2026, more federal agencies requiring use of Common forms generated in SciENcv |
Researchers submitting proposals to the National Science Foundation have been using the Common Forms in SciENcv to prepare biosketches and current & pending support documents for several months. In 2026, more federal agencies will require the use of SciENcv to prepare these forms for their applications, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), with other agencies to follow.
SciENcv is an application developed by the National Library of Medicine that produces a digitally certified PDF of the Common Forms in agency appropriate formats.
Research administration staff in the Office of Research and in research centers that provide proposal preparation assistance can help prepare required Common Forms. If you are planning a proposal submission to these agencies, please provide notification to kucrpremgmt@lists.ku.edu or your preferred research center at least 3 working weeks before your deadline, with longer lead times for complex proposals with multiple senior/key personnel.
Resources:
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Common Forms require certification from each individual (not their delegate) of their own form(s) in SciENcv, acknowledging: 1) information is current, accurate and complete and 2) at time of submission, they are not a party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
In December, the NIH released the Common Forms for biographical sketch and current & pending (other) support in SciENcv. These forms must be used for all NIH applications, just-in-time (JIT) submissions, prior approval requests, and research performance progress reports (RPPRs) with due dates on or after Jan. 25, 2026. Instructions for using the Common Forms have also been made available.
Proposal preparation assistants can be granted delegate access to your account in SciENcv, but there are several steps that you will need to perform first.
PI actions required for use of Common Forms with NIH applications:
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Register for an ORCID ID if you don't already have one. ORCID is a free, unique, persistent identifier (PID). For more information about the ORCID ID, visit the ORCID website. To begin your registration, visit Register – ORCID. An ORCID ID is mandatory for completing the Common Forms required for submitting NIH proposals, JIT and RPPRs.
- Once you have an ORCID ID, make sure your ORCID profile is up to date and connected to your funding and publication history. Go to ORCID for Researchers to learn how to optimize your ORCID record and minimize manual data entry.
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Link your ORCID ID to your eRA Commons profile. NIH has posted instructions at The ORCID ID help website. An ORCID ID that is linked to the eRA Commons profile is mandatory for completing the Common Forms required for submitting NIH proposals, JIT and RPPRs.
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Log in to SciENcv using the same credentials you use for the eRA Commons (eRA Commons ID, Login.gov, My NCBI, ORCiD) and create a profile.
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Grant delegate access to the person assisting you with your NIH application, JIT submission, prior approval request or RPPR.
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Additional NIH resources:
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Please note: NIH will begin enforcing the use of these forms via eRA system validations starting Jan. 25, 2026. Warnings will escalate to errors preventing submission after Feb. 6, 2026.
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Fulfill your research security training requirements |
Principal investigators (PI) and senior/key personnel (SKP) for the following federal sponsors are currently required to have taken research security training within the 12 months prior to proposal submission:
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- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Department of Energy (DOE)
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Research security training will also be required for National Institutes of Health proposals submitted on or after May 25, 2026.
Regulatory background: In accordance with section 10634 of the CHIPS & Science Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C. § 19234), NSPM-33, and the July 9, 2024 Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) memorandum, the DOE, NSF and NIH have implemented a requirement for all covered individuals to complete research security training in the 12 months prior to application or RPPR submission.
To fulfill this training requirement, PIs/SKPs at KU must complete the 1-hour Research Security Training course offered through CITI Program.
Enroll in the 1-hour research security course
Click the link above or the button below to enroll in the course directly. The course will appear under the “My Courses” tab after signing into CITI using your KU SSO. If you have never signed into CITI using your KU ID, you will be prompted to create an account.
Questions or access issues? Please contact rcrtraining@ku.edu.
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Final Friday Ethics series ramps up spring programming |
The Human Research Protection Program's Final Friday Ethics series reboots this month and continues through April. Please register on Zoom and make plans to join these one-hour virtual sessions that begin at 11:30 a.m. on the dates below:
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- Jan. 30 | Class Projects & Research: Do I Need Approval?
This session will discuss the intersection between class projects and research, and when a class project becomes research. We will also review best practices for obtaining IRB approval for a class project.
- Feb. 27 | Open Science & Data Sharing
This session will review evolving requirements for open science and data sharing. We will discuss requirements for data sharing, including consent requirements and data sharing agreements.
- March 27 | Transitions: Your Study after Leaving KU
Whether you are graduating, retiring, or transferring institutions, your study will need to close before you leave! This session will review requirements for closing studies as well as transferring a study to another institution.
- April 24 | Funding & IRB Approval: When Do I Submit?
Do you apply for IRB after receiving funding? Or does your funding source require confirmation of IRB approval? This session will review best practices for ensuring that you have IRB approval at the time of receiving your award.
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Questions? Comments? Content suggestions?
Mindie Paget | Office of Research | mpaget@ku.edu
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The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.
© The University of Kansas. 2026.
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