Preliminary proposals are now being accepted for initiatives to support the strategic plan
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Written by
Office of Strategic Communication

Proposals are now being accepted for fiscal year 2028 P3 projects that support the University of Iowa’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. Preliminary proposals must be submitted by Nov. 13. 

Projects selected for funding will begin July 1, 2027, and may run for one to three years. A two-stage competitive application process will determine which projects receive P3 funding. 

Individuals or teams planning to apply for funding are encouraged to attend an information session on Sept. 25 or Oct. 22 to learn more about how to construct a competitive proposal. 

Application process
The preliminary proposal must be completed via Workflow and include:

  • Project title
  • Project lead (include name, title, and college/unit)
  • List of project collaborators (include names, titles, and colleges/units)
  • Budget information
  • Summary of project purpose and impact, including how it meets the P3 project criteria
  • Performance measures that include intended key indicators of progress, milestones, and timeline

Project leads are encouraged to discuss their proposal with their collegiate deans or central unit leaders before submission. All proposals should demonstrate a direct connection to the UI strategic plan. 

The Strategic Plan Action and Resource Committee (SPARC) will review the preliminary proposals. After discussion of the preliminary proposals, SPARC will submit recommendations to the executive vice president and provost for evaluation.

Project leads of selected proposals will be notified by Dec. 14 if they are invited to submit a full application. Full applications are due by March 10, 2027.

P3 funding
In March 2020, nearly $1 billion in funding from the university’s 50-year partnership with ENGIE North America and Meridiam to operate the utility system was placed in an endowment. Earnings from that endowment allow the university to invest in projects that advance the UI’s strategic plan.

Up to $15 million in nonrecurring funds will be awarded from the UI Strategic Initiatives Fund (P3) in FY 2028 to projects submitted via the campuswide call for proposals. Any remaining funds may be used to support academic infrastructure or reserved to support additional strategic plan initiatives throughout the year.

Visit the P3 Program website for more information and to view a list of previous P3-funded projects.

Point(s) of contact
Office of Strategic Communication