$848M
Funding secured across major initiatives
320+
Large-scale projects funded
500+
Principal investigators supported
Research and Innovation Strategy
Research and Innovation Strategy (RIS) advances the university’s research enterprise by connecting faculty with high-impact funding opportunities and the resources needed to pursue them. RIS advances USC’s research and innovation enterprise by identifying opportunities, supporting faculty success, building innovation pathways, and strengthening institutional visibility, all to expand the societal impact of USC research. The team supports investigators across the full research lifecycle—from early concept development and proposal strategy to submission, internal review, and post-award engagement.
RIS also administers internal funding programs, coordinates limited submission opportunities, and strengthens research capacity through shared infrastructure, mentorship, and training initiatives. By aligning strategic priorities with institutional and federal opportunities, RIS helps position multidisciplinary teams for sustained success and innovation.
Limited Submissions
Competitions for awards by outside agencies for which USC can nominate a limited number of candidates.
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Shared Resources
USC’s shared resources that enable faculty and students to perform cutting-edge research.
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Faculty Support Services
Office staff is available to assist USC faculty members in the development of federal grant proposal submissions.
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Training
Each semester, CER organizes workshops for USC researchers to provide them with the skills to seek funding and more.
For required investigator training, visit the Research Training Finder.
Office Achievements
RIS has contributed to the submission of over 1,000 proposals for a total of $3.8B, of which over 320 were funded for a total of $848M. This includes projects involving over 500 principal investigators from 15 USC schools and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, with submissions to the following federal agencies:
Meet the RIS Team
From grant development and funding strategy to research infrastructure and faculty support, the RIS team brings deep expertise across the university’s research ecosystem.
Calendar
See the calendar below for our award deadlines, training workshops and office closures: