EXCEL Research Initiative Proposals EXCEL Research Initiative Proposals

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Office of the Provost, the Vice President for Research (VPR), UK HealthCare and the College of Medicine about an exciting initiative at our university designed to further accelerate our research efforts to advance our state.
 
This document outlines a new initiative we have dubbed the EXCEL (Executive Clinical Expert Leadership) Research Initiative. As the call for proposals outlines, our goal is to enhance the clinical and community impact of the incredible research underway at the University of Kentucky. These awards will support EXCEL research teams that develop research proposals that give our patients new opportunities. 
 
As one of only eight universities in the country with the full range of programs and disciplines on one contiguous campus with an academic medical system, we have a distinctive opportunity to engage in transformative transdisciplinary research — research that changes lives and improves communities.
 
That’s the idea behind the EXCEL Research Initiative. 
 
We are seeking proposals from faculty across every college on our campus. Our units will provide startup funding to teams with innovative proposals that demonstrate, for example, a transdisciplinary approach, focus on health disparities or that in some way further one of our existing Research Priority Areas (RPAs), to begin new clinical trials, among other factors.
 
We have utilized institutional incentives in other initiatives to help jumpstart important research efforts. Typically, that takes place within a college or an administrative area. What makes this program unique is the partnership among our units — the Office of the Provost, the Office of the VPR, the College of Medicine and UK HealthCare — and the call for a transdisciplinary approach with a focus across the institution. This approach can, and should, leverage our clear strengths — a land-grant mission embedded in an institution with clear depth and breadth across many disciplines.
 
Our mission as Kentucky’s university is to advance this state in everything that we do. 
 
Research that leads to discovery, solutions, healing and that addresses gaps in access to care is critical to who we are and what we do.
 
I hope you will consider this opportunity.

Robert S. DiPaola, M.D. 
Provost