Review Process

Projects which have the potential of increasing sustained collaboration across the CU Anschutz and CU Boulder campuses will be prioritized, especially those with potential for broader and long-term engagement. 


The review process involves three phases: (1) a peer review by non-conflicted subject-matter experts from both campuses who provide scores and comments; (2) study-section style review led by AB Nexus Faculty Advisors representing both campuses, which will yield award recommendations to the Vice Chancellors for Research from both campuses; and (3) review by the Vice Chancellors for Research from both campuses who make final award decisions.

Proposals will be evaluated in four primary areas: Ìý

  • Intellectual Merit: Merit and quality of proposed research; potential to contribute value and advance knowledge (particularly factoring in the novel approach to concept(s)).Ìý
  • Impact: Measurable benefit of basic, translational, clinical, or epidemiological approaches to significantly improve human well-being.Ìý
  • Interdisciplinarity: Demonstration of fully integrated research collaborations and partnerships across disciplines. Of high interest are proposals that indicate a specific plan to grow and expand the team over time.Ìý
  • Leverage: Long-term potential for growth of the proposed research activity, including identified or prospective support from external funding agencies. Of high interest are proposals that identify specific external opportunities, ideally growing in magnitude or complexity, and a timeline in which the team plans to pursue them.Ìý

We encourage all members of our research community to serve as an AB Nexus Reviewer.  Reviewing AB Nexus proposals is a great way to learn about the program and gain insight into intercampus collaborative research.  Reviewers are provided guidance and information to facilitate constructive reviews. If interested, please complete the . 

Key Dates and Deadlines

AB Nexus Spring 2024 Collaborative Seed Grant Competition

  • Feb. 1: Information session​
  • Feb. 16: Notice of intent deadline
  • March 27: Proposal deadline
  • June 15: Award notification
  • July 1: Project start date

Learn More