Resources to support our researchers

The Research Innovation Center provides an array of services throughout the research cycle to ensure our faculty and researchers achieve the best outcomes for funding and project success.

Resources for Conducting & Collaborating on Research

  • CCI Funding Opportunities* – RIC and CCI sponsored awards for faculty and post-doctoral researchers. *this resource is on an intranet site for CCI employees only
  • CCI Innovation Labs – Our four labs offer a range of technology and resources for research.
  • Research affinities  – Explore where your research interests may intersect with others in CCI.
  • CCI Research Symposium – Our annual Research Symposium elevates the research of CCI faculty, staff, and students.
  • CCI Communications and Marketing can help you plan your communication objectives and connect with the best resources for sharing your work. Submit a project request here.
  • Collaborating and networking with the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development programs to strengthen and facilitate new collaborations and partnerships.
  • OIT guide to sensitive information helps researchers conduct responsible research and secure the data they collect while adhering to UT policies, grant guidelines, and federal regulations for handling that data.
  • ELEMENTS a reporting system that helps faculty track their scholarly publications, teaching accomplishments, and service activities.
  • ORCID provides researchers with a unique, persistent identifier and the ability to connect their research and professional work across positions, locations, and time.
  • SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae) is a system for researchers to create and maintain biosketches that are required for NIH and NSF grant applications

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Guidance

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Guidance

PLEASE NOTE: This page is prepared for researchers in the College of Information and Communication. Information for the university community about the Human Research Protection Program including the IRB can be found here.

The Human Research Participant Program (HRPP) is overseen by the Research Integrity and Assurance Division in UT’s Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development. The HRPP, in partnership with its research community, is responsible for ensuring the ethical and equitable treatment of all human subjects in research conducted under the university’s auspices. Human Research Protection (HRPP) includes institutional leaders, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and staff. 

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulates all research activities involving human subjects on the UT Knoxville campus. All UT Knoxville research involving human participants must be reviewed following UT Knoxville IRB policies and procedures. It must be approved prior to the initiation of research activity such as contact with potential human participants.

All IRB applications must be submitted through iMedRIS (Integrated Medical Research Information System).

For assistance navigating iMedris and/or questions about specific IRB requirements, contact RIC. For iMedris log-in and other access issues contact [email protected]

IRB Resources  (through the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development)

  • iMedRIS Guides — step-by-step guides for navigating iMedris, routing your IRB, and revising your application.
  • Research Guidelines – IRB guides and workshop videos
  • IRB Forms – IRB Review Checklist; Informed Consent

IRB Routing Procedure for CCI Researchers

CCI requires researchers to follow these steps in order to successfully route their application:

In Section 3.4 of the iMedris application, select the following individuals:

  • Kat Capstick (department review chair) 
  • Emily Paskewitz (department chair) 

At the end of the application (after selecting “Signoff” and “Submit”): 

  • Select “Yes” when asked if you want to add additional personnel for routing.
  • Check the box beside the following: Each PI, Kat Capstick (department review chair), Emily Paskewitz (department chair).
  • Click “Submit.”

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Training Resources

The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) requires current CITI training for each PI, Co-PI, Sub-Investigator, Faculty Advisor, and all Research Personnel (e.g. research assistant, coordinator, etc.) listed on a human subjects research application. 

The two modules required by CCI are:

Basic Courses in IRB/Human Subjects Research

  • Social and Behavioral Focus Basic/Refresher — For most people in Social and Behavioral or Humanities disciplines.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

  • Social and Behavioral RCR (Psychology, Social Work, etc.)

Access CITI training here and use your UT NetID and password to log in. 

Proposal Development and Submissions

External Funding Databases

Pivot is a comprehensive, searchable database of funding opportunities and research profiles. Opportunities include federal, non-federal, foundation, and private opportunities, both domestic and international.  

Grants.gov is the most comprehensive public source for information on federal funding opportunities. 

Proposal Deadlines

When is my proposal due?

RIC uses the following deadlines for grant proposal preparation and submission to meet university compliance. If you have questions about the timeline, please email RIC as soon as possible.

  • At least one month before sponsor deadline: 
    • Tap the Torch to notify RIC that you are working on a proposal. This lets RIC get ready to help you prepare your submission
    • Register for submission management portals (e.g., Fastlane, grants.gov, ASSIST)
  • No less than 10 business days* prior to sponsor deadline: 
    • Submit all proposal documents to the RIC office
    • RIC reviews the documents, consulting the PI as necessary, to prepare the most complete and compliant documents possible. 
  • No less than five business days* prior to sponsor deadline:
    •  RIC uploads the documents as a submission to Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development
    • The budget documents (including subcontractor documents) and supporting documents MUST be in final form at this time. See, DRA Proposal Deadlines
    • To enable direct submission support in portals (e.g., research.gov, grants.gov, ASSIST), give access to RIC

*This does not include weekends, staff holidays, and administrative closings. 

This calendar shows a visual of the same proposal deadlines that are written out in the preceding text on this page.