RISE RFP [PDF]
Provides detailed information regarding RISE eligibility, application requirements, and submission process. This RFP is applicable to all eligible campuses: Aiken, Beaufort, Upstate, and Palmetto College
The Research Initiative for Summer Engagement, or RISE, program was initiated in 2012 to support summer research for faculty members at USC's system campuses. This program employs a competitive application process to provide money for summer salary, research supplies, travel related to research and undergraduate student support to bolster scholarship throughout the USC system. Along with helping faculty develop research programs, RISE also aims to equip Palmetto and senior campuses to better serve their local communities as well as to support the larger university mission.
RISE is only for faculty at
USC Aiken, Beaufort, Upstate, and Palmetto College
RISE Requests for Proposals
The RISE Request for Proposals is announced each fall, for funding the following summer. Faculty complete and submit their RISE applications via USCeRA, the University of South Carolina electronic research administration software system.
Applications for the Summer 2026 RISE grant cycle are due
December 16, 2025
Detailed information about RISE eligibility, funds available, required components of the RISE application, allowable and unallowable costs, post-award requirements and the RISE application review process are included in the requests for proposals (RFPs) available below. If you have additional questions about the RISE program, please contact Emily Devereux, Associate Vice President for Research Development.
RISE Review Rubric
NEW beginning 2025-26 - RISE proposals will be evaluated using this rubric by a peer review panel. Applicants are encouraged to use the rubric during proposal development.
RISE Application Forms
Faculty apply for RISE funding through USCeRA, but some forms must be completed outside of the system, and then attached. Below, you will find these forms.
RISE Budget Request Form [XLSX]
Use this form to enter your detailed RISE budget request.
RISE Current and Pending Support Form [DOCX]
Use this form to document other project support that is current, pending, or planned for the near future, for each investigator on the RISE project for which you are seeking funding. This form is required even if there is no other funding (mark “no other grant support”).
RISE Award Documents
2025 RISE Terms and Conditions [PDF]
2025 RISE recipients should refer to this document for detailed guidance on the grant period, expenditures, compliance, publications and presentations, extensions and the final report or research findings.
2024 RISE Terms and Conditions [PDF]
2024 RISE recipients should refer to this document for detailed guidance on the grant period, expenditures, compliance, publications and presentations, extensions and the final report or research findings.
Submit your final internal funding report
To submit your final RISE report, please complete the VPR Internal Grant Report Form