Faculty Recognition Investment Program

The Faculty Recognition Investment Program (FRIP) aims to cultivate research excellence and sustained growth by providing modest financial incentives to faculty and staff for their research accomplishments. Aligned with the Lead On Strategic Plan, this program encourages cutting-edge discoveries and patents, as well as high impact publications, performances, and art, all of which contribute to the institution's reputation and standing in the global academic community. The FRIP offers recognition opportunities in three categories: large STEM grant awards, large non-STEM grant awards, and highly-prestigious awards.

Large Grant Award Recognition (STEM and non-STEM categories)

STEM* faculty or staff

Faculty or staff who receive an externally sponsored research or creative activity grant award (or sub-award) through the Office of Research Services greater than $3 million, are eligible for a cash incentive of up to 0.5% of the value of the grant award (or sub-award). The total grant award (or sub-award) amount eligible for the cash incentive will be capped at $25 million.

Non-STEM** faculty or staff

Faculty or staff who receive an externally sponsored research or creative activity grant award (or sub-award) through the Office of Research Services greater than $100,000, are eligible for a cash incentive of up to 0.5% of the value of the grant award (or sub-award). The total grant award (or sub-award) amount eligible for the cash incentive will be capped at $25 million.

Terms of the cash incentive award:

Awards granted in FY26 are eligible in this cycle. Future FRIP awards will depend on the availability of funds.
The cash incentive payouts are made annually based on expenditures in each fiscal year. For collaborative grants, the Principal Investigator (PI) will submit an annual distribution plan to the OVPRP, outlining how the cash incentive funds will be allocated to the OU Norman Campus team members (external collaborators are not eligible for a cash incentive).
The cash incentive can be taken as a personal non-base building salary supplement, or as funds to support the PI’s and/or Co-PI’s university-based research efforts.
If the grant is terminated by the sponsor earlier than the original term of the award, the cash incentive will stop at that point.
If the grant terms are altered by the sponsor during the period of performance, the cash incentive will be adjusted accordingly.
If the principal investigator leaves the University of Oklahoma and the grant is terminated by the sponsor, or the grant moves to a different institution, the cash incentive will stop.

*STEM disciplines are defined by the National Science Foundation here: NSF Approved Fields of Study (PDF)
**For the purpose of this program, non-STEM faculty are defined as those working in a field not listed in the National Science Foundation’s list of STEM disciplines.

Submit application

Highly Prestigious Faculty Awards

Faculty or staff receiving an award that is listed on the NRC highly prestigious award list (https://www.aau.edu/key-issues/national-research- council-list-highly-prestigious-awards) are eligible for a $3,000 one-time salary supplement in the year that the award is received. Newly elected members to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, or Medicine are eligible for a $5,000 one-time salary supplement in the year of election. All NRC Highly Prestigious awards received in FY26 are eligible in this cycle. Future awards will depend on the availability of funds.

Submit application

FAQ

How was the floor for the program selected?

For STEM disciplines, the FRIP aims to incentivize team-based, large-scale, competitive research grants coming to OU, defined using a common threshold of $3M. For non-STEM disciplines, we are incentivizing high-impact large awards in excess of $100,000 with the recognition that funding for non-STEM efforts typically have a lower common threshold.

How was the ceiling for the program established?

$25M is an arbitrary amount designed to ensure there are enough resources in the program to pay out the intended cash incentives.

What would be the cash incentive if I win a proposal worth $50M?

The cash incentive would be $125,000 or 0.5% of the $25M ceiling.

Does the program apply to both competitive and non-competitive grants/contracts, or only competitive grants?

The program applies to both competitive and non-competitive research grants and contracts.

If I am a PI working in a non-STEM field, but my home unit is designated by OU as a STEM unit, how will the decision be made and to which category the award falls under?

The decision will made based on the primary topic of the grant.

If the PI and co-PIs in a proposal are from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines, how will the determination be made as to whether an award is in the STEM or non-STEM category?

The decision will be made based on the primary topic of the grant.

How do I determine if my grant/contract award is eligible in FY26?

If the agency’s official award start date is in FY26 (July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026), you are eligible for the cash incentive award.

How can I notify the OVPRP of an external grant award that I believe is eligible for a cash incentive award?

Submit your information via the “submission button” in the program announcement on the OVPRP webpage.

Can a PI apply for a FRIP award if the grant is in the 2^nd year (or beyond)?

No, only new grant awards that started in FY26 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) are eligible to apply.

Can FRIP funds be allocated to individuals that helped in some manner with the grant submission?

Individuals that are named on the grant award as PI, co-PI, or senior personnel (those who will work on the project) are eligible for the cash award. In some cases, it may be appropriate to name a staff person who was significantly involved in preparation of the proposal.

How often will the OVPRP review FRIP applications?

Applications can be submitted at any time but the OVPRP will review them roughly on a monthly basis.

Faculty Recognition Investment Program