Request for proposals sought for ACC Innovation Initiative Research Grant Program

From: Faculty Athletics Representative

The Atlantic Coast Conference and the Center for Research in Intercollegiate Athletics at UNC- Chapel Hill are extending a request for proposals for the fifth annual ACC Innovation Initiative Research Grant Program. The purpose of this competitive program is to assist conference athletics administrators with data-driven decision-making. To accomplish this, several grants will be awarded to financially support faculty members and students from ACC member institutions--including Virginia Tech--who conduct research related to issues deemed critical by conference athletics administrators:

1. Student-athlete welfare

2. Revenue generation and finance/budgeting-related topics

3. Organizational behavior and managerial issues within athletics departments

4. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

5. Current issues including NCAA FBS Football governance structure, diversity, professionalization of college sports, sports wagering, transfer student-athletes, and scholarships

This year, a total grant pool of $25,000 is available to fund research. An anticipated five to eight grants will be dispersed. Faculty-led project budgets should fall in the range of $2,500 to $7,500, while student-led project budgets should range between $1,000 to $3,000. Applications are due by 5 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, Sept. 20.

Additional information is available in the Request for Proposals here: https://www.cria-unc.com/_files/ugd/1ee3b7_5f182148d2a24757894c832222e15e52.pdf.