Johns Hopkins University and West Virginia University Research Collaborative
Announced in June 2026, the Johns Hopkins University-West Virginia University Research Collaborative is designed to support research collaborations between researchers at both universities.
JHU–WVU RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE: CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Proposals will be considered in any field, but we especially encourage research projects aligned with institutional strengths across both schools, such as neuroscience (e.g., substance use, mental health, dementia, and neurosurgical interventions) and environmental exposures and population health research (comparative urban–rural research). Other innovative and high-impact areas of interdisciplinary collaboration will also be considered.
Proposals will be evaluated through a joint JHU–WVU review process based on scientific merit, innovation, collaboration strength, feasibility, strategic alignment, and future external funding potential. Awardees will be required to submit annual progress reports during the award period and for one year following project completion to support program evaluation and outcome tracking.
Applications will open later this summer. Details are forthcoming.
For additional information/questions, please contact OVPRawards@jh.edu.
Please note, the JHU co-PI must submit the final application since submissions are processed through the Johns Hopkins University awards system.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible to apply?
- Can students, trainees, or staff participate on teams?
- What types of projects are most competitive?
- What expenses are allowable under the award?
- What types of expenses are unallowable?
- Can collaborators outside JHU and WVU participate?
- What compliance approvals are required prior to award activation?
- How are proposals reviewed and scored?
- What are the expectations for progress reporting and follow-on funding tracking?
- Are letters of support required or permitted?
Who is eligible to apply?
This award is meant to spark collaboration between JHU and WVU faculty. Applications are open to full time tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure JHU and WVU faculty, including clinical, research, practice, and teaching faculty. The following applies to both JHU and WVU: part-time and adjunct faculty, emeriti professors, and lecturers may apply as co-PIs. Visiting professors are ineligible. Students, trainees, and staff cannot serve as co-PI; however, they may be supported by the budget and involved with the project.Can students, trainees, or staff participate on teams?
Yes. Students, trainees, and staff may participate on the project. While they cannot serve as co-PI, they are welcome to be involved and financially supported by the budget.What types of projects are most competitive?
Projects that align with shared institutional priorities and leverage complementary strengths across both universities will be most competitive. Areas of strategic interest include neuroscience (e.g., substance use, mental health, dementia, and neurosurgical interventions) and environmental exposures and population health, particularly comparative urban–rural research (e.g., Baltimore and West Virginia).
At the same time, the program remains open to other high-impact areas of interdisciplinary collaboration. Prospective applicants are encouraged to engage with institutional research leadership and attend pre-submission information sessions to better understand program priorities and ask questions about project fit and competitiveness.
What expenses are allowable under the award?
Support may be used for salary, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows or technicians, equipment, travel (within reason), and/or consumables. Include institution-specific fringe on all salary funding requests. The aim of this program is to foster novel interactions across JHU and WVU; therefore, no more than 10% of the grant may be allocated to third party subawards.What types of expenses are unallowable?
The following expenses are generally unallowable under the JHU–WVU award mechanism:
- Subawards exceeding 10% of the award budget
- Facilities and administrative/indirect costs
- Expenses associated with projects that substantially overlap with existing funded work
- Construction or renovation costs
- Tuition support, stipends, or administrative costs not directly tied to the proposed research activities
- Entertainment expenses
- Travel unrelated to proposed research activities
All proposed expenses must be reasonable, directly related to the project objectives, and consistent with institutional priorities at both JHU and WVU.
Can collaborators outside JHU and WVU participate?
No. This award is meant to spark collaboration between JHU and WVU faculty. For this reason, faculty from other institutions are not permitted to serve as project investigators or collaborators on the project.What compliance approvals are required prior to award activation?
Projects involving regulated research activities (e.g., human subjects, animal research, or export-controlled work) must obtain all required institutional approvals prior to award activation. Depending on the project, approvals may be required at both JHU and WVU.How are proposals reviewed and scored?
Each proposal will receive two expert reviewers, one from JHU and one from WVU. Applications will be discussed by a joint review panel and evaluated based on scientific merit, collaboration strength, strategic alignment, feasibility, and future funding potential.What are the expectations for progress reporting and follow-on funding tracking?
Awardees will submit annual progress reports during the two-year award period and for one year following project completion. Teams will also be asked to report follow-on funding, publications, and other outcomes resulting from the collaboration.Are letters of support required or permitted?
No. To maintain an equitable and streamlined review process, letters of support (of any kind) will not be accepted in submissions.