Our monthly newsletter aims to highlight upcoming news and opportunities for our campus stakeholders. We seek to inform, engage, and inspire through regular updates, features, and communications. 

Volume II Issue XI / 2026 May

May Research Review

 

 

Current News

AI‑Focused Funding Opportunities

A new wave of federal programs is opening doors for researchers exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Below is a curated selection of current opportunities spanning criminal justice, education, health, and foundational AI research.

A broader selection of AI‑focused funding opportunities, along with additional programs organized by research area, including Arts and Humanities, STEM Fields, International Studies, Philosophy and Religion, Business, Public Policy, Public Safety, Teaching and Education, and more, is available on our Find Funding page: https://affiliate.wcu.edu/engagedresearch/find-funding/

    Year End Roll Up Guidance for Sponsored Projects

    As Fiscal Year 2025–2026 (FY 26) comes to an end, we want to remind you of some important processes and deadlines. These processes & deadlines apply to all sponsored projects regardless of the end date. ORA must work in conjunction with rollup procedures and spending restrictions announced by the University.

    Timeline and Processes

    June 2026:

    • Review bi-weekly fund reviews provided in email.
    • June 9th, 2026: Payroll deadline for processing payrolls requests, or PAFs.
    • June 10th, 2026: Post Award deadline to submit FY 26 recodes, invoices, check requests, & travel reimbursements for approval
    • June 10th, 2026: WCU Purchasing deadlines for PCards and Catamart.
    • June 12, 2026: Interdepartmental Transactions.
    • June 19th, 2026: All invoices, check requests, and travel reimbursements are submitted and paid
    • Submit any needed requests to the Post-Award Action Form (includes budget revisions, recodes, check requests, etc.) to be processed in this FY.

    For questions, please contact Benjamin Peters (bpeters@wcu.edu) and Cameron Lopez (clopez@wcu.edu).

    Summer 2026 Extra Compensation

    ORA Post-Award has submitted all summer extra compensation PAFs to Payroll for all sponsored projects with a start date before 6/1/2026.

    We will process summer extra compensation PAFs for new projects as they are awarded this summer.

    The next payroll deadline for a 6/30/2026 pay date is 6/5/2026.

    If you have any questions about either year end guidance or Summer 2026 Extra Compensation PAfs, please contact Benjamin Peters (bpeters@wcu.edu) and Cameron Lopez (clopez@wcu.edu).

    IRB Quick Links: Managing Your Study in InfoEd

    Navigating next steps in the IRB process? Use the guidance below to ensure your submissions are completed correctly:

    Responding to requested revisions:

    Use this guide when the IRB has asked for changes to your submission

    → Respond to Changes Requested by the IRB Reviewer

    Making changes to an approved study:

    Use this process to request updates after approval

    → Submit a Modification to an Approved Protocol

    Renewing or closing your study:

    For full board studies requiring continuing review, or when your study is complete

    →Complete a Continuing Review or Study Closure

    If you’re unsure which pathway applies, reach out to our office—we’re happy to help ensure your submission is routed correctly.

    For questions, contact: Mallory Ball mball@wcu.edu 

    Summer Travel – Export Control

    • As summer international travel increases, faculty and staff are reminded to consider export control and research security requirements prior to departure.
      • University-owned laptops, research data, proprietary information, encrypted software, and certain research materials may be subject to federal export control regulations.
    • Most WCU personnel only encounter export control when traveling internationally. If you are planning to travel internationally, please review University Policy 100, complete the Policy 100 form with approval from your Department, and include your detailed itinerary.
    • Faculty and staff who plan to invite international visitors/scholars to visit our campus must obtain the Provost’s approval prior to the visit using the International Visitor Approval Form, which asks for a copy of the visitor’s itinerary and any technical data or university-owned equipment being shared with the visitor.
    • Travelers are encouraged to contact ORA before travel to discuss any potential export control considerations and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

    For questions, contact: ORA Director Kloo Hansen, at kchansen@wcu.edu

    Graduate Student Research News

    On May 19 the North Carolina Council of Graduate Schools (NCCGS) sponsored Graduate Education Day at the State Legislature in Raleigh with the goal of highlighting graduate student research across the state. Sixteen graduate schools in North Carolina sent representatives. Dean Lawson attended with two WCU graduate students, Luke and Caleb, to present their research and meet with legislators. Luke and Caleb both presented oral presentations at RASC earlier this Spring. A brief overview of their experience is highlighted in a reel on Facebook and Instagram.

    • Dr. Luke Gillespie (just graduated on May 8!)
      • Program: Family Nurse Practitioner D.N.P.
      • Research Project: “Confidence for Screening for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Men.”
    • Caleb Cole
      • Program: Engineering Technology M.S.E.T.
      • Research Project: “Exploring Sustainable Practices for Managing 3D Printing Waste”

    Special gratitude to Christy Agner, Director of External Relations, and her team for their effort in coordinating meetings for our students with a number of senators and representatives throughout the day.

    Undergraduate Student Research News

    Mark your calendars for the SoCon Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) 2026, happening October 9 – 10 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina!

    Hosted by the Southern Conference (SoCon) Academic Exchange, SURF is a dynamic, multidisciplinary conference that brings together around 150 student presenters from all ten SoCon institutions. From the arts and humanities to STEM, students showcase their research and creative work in engaging, supportive environments.

    Why participate?

    • Share your research or creative projects
    • Connect with peers across the SoCon
    • Gain presentation experience in welcoming, small-group settings
    • No registration fee
    • Most expenses covered upon acceptance
    • Meals provided during much of the conference
    • This is a fantastic opportunity—especially for students involved in summer research—to highlight your work and represent your institution.

    Be on the lookout for the application this fall!

    For questions, contact Suzanne Melton, Research Programs Coordinator, at scmelton@wcu.edu

    ResearchCAT Magazine: Volume II

    The Graduate School & Research has released its annual research magazine. The second volume summarizes the fiscal year 2025 annual report of the Office of Research Administration (ORA), showcasing the pursuit of research, scholarship, and creative activities, as well as extramural sponsorship and initiatives.

    Explore the Magazine!

    Special Programs & More on ResearchCAT

    We are excited to announce a new addition to the site: Special Programs & More. This page is your go-to for upcoming events, workshops, presentations, and special programming opportunities. Explore what’s new and stay connected.

    The ORA is now on LinkedIn!

    We are excited to share that the Office of Research Administration has launched an official LinkedIn page. Follow us to stay informed about new funding opportunities, important announcements, and the latest updates from our office. Join our growing community and stay connected with everything happening at the ORA.

    Follow the ORA on LinkedIn

    Follow ORA On Instagram!

    The Office of Research Administration is on Instagram. Follow us!

    Follow Undergraduate Research On Instagram!

    Undergraduate Research is on Instagram. Follow us!

    Announcing ResearchCAT Volume II

    The second volume summarizes the fiscal year 2025 annual report of the Office of Research Administration (ORA) at Western Carolina University (WCU) in 2024-2025, showcasing the pursuit of research, scholarship, and creative activities, as well as extramural sponsorship and initiatives. 

    READ Me

    Announcing ResearchCAT Volume I Issue I

    This inaugural issue of ResearchCAT highlights the activity of the Office of Research Administration at Western Carolina University (WCU) in 2023-2024. It catalogs the pursuit of sponsorship for research, programs, and other scholarly works.

    READ Me

    The Research Review Archives

    Volume II Issue XI / 2026 May

    The Research Review – May 2026

    Volume II Issue X / 2026 April

    The Research Review – April 2026

    Volume II Issue IX / 2026 March

    The Research Review – March 2026

    Volume II Issue VIII / 2026 February

    The Research Review – February 2026

    Volume II Issue VII / 2026 January

    The Research Review – January 2026

    Volume II Issue VI / 2025 December

    The Research Review – December 2025

    Volume II Issue V / 2025 November

    The Research Review-November 2025

    Volume II Issue IV / 2025 October

    The Research Review-October 2025

    Volume II Issue III / 2025 September

    The Research Review-September 2025

    Volume II Issue II / 2025 August

    The Research Review August 2025

    Volume II Issue 1 / 2025 July

    The Research Review July 2025

    Volume 1 Issues I-III / AY2024-2025

    The Research Review April 2025

    The Research Review May 2025

    The Research Review June 2025

    Explore The Research Blog
    Student Research

    research.wcu.edu