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[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-115px|||||” custom_padding=”54px|0px|100px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-58px|auto|-61px|auto||” custom_padding=”47px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Current News” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#592c88″ min_height=”40px” custom_margin=”-93px|||||” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|100px|0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-273px|auto|1px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”63px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slider _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#592c88″ positioning=”none” vertical_offset=”0px” min_height=”926.2px” custom_margin=”-57px|||||” custom_padding=”6px||0px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_delay=”1500ms” animation_starting_opacity=”50%” auto=”on” auto_speed=”30000″ auto_ignore_hover=”on” hover_transition_duration=”500ms” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_slide heading=”New to WCU? We’re Glad You’re Here! ” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n We are excited to welcome you to Western Carolina University, where curiosity, creativity, and collaboration drive our mission forward. W<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span>t<\/span>her y<\/span>o<\/span>u’r<\/span>e<\/span> j<\/span>o<\/span>i<\/span>ning<\/span> us fr<\/span>o<\/span>m g<\/span>r<\/span>ad<\/span>u<\/span>a<\/span>te<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>ch<\/span>o<\/span>ol, i<\/span>n<\/span>du<\/span>s<\/span>try, or an<\/span>other academic institution, you are now part of a community that values scholarship, innovation, and th<\/span>e people behind it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you plan to engage in research, scholarship, or creative activities, we’ve developed a helpful resource to guide you through the essential first steps of establishing your research profile at WCU.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Get star<\/span>ted here: <\/span>New Faculty Research Guide<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n This resource includes information on: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n We look forward to supporting your success and helping you advance your research, scholarship, and creative endeavors at WCU. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Find Your Next Grant Opportunity” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Looking for opportunities in your discipline? Visit Research CAT to browse funding opportunities by field of study: https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/engagedresearch\/find-funding\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Also, don’t forget <\/span>to comp<\/span>lete your college’s Grants Checklist before beginning proposal development. College-specific Grants Checklists are available through Research CAT and are linked below. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Faculty are also encouraged to contact the Pre-Award Team for assistance identifying funding opportunities, navigating college-specific requirements, and developing competitive proposals. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Samantha<\/span> Ellithorpe at <\/span>sellithorpe@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Matt Salerno at <\/span>msalerno@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Need a Prior Action\/Approval Request (PAR)? Start Early!” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on” video_url=”youtube.com\/watch?si=C_EgUc6ZRElPM7mq&v=lKdGVaDS6BI&feature=youtu.be” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-08-21 084826″ image=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/engagedresearch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/389\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-21-084826.png” button_link=”youtube.com\/watch?si=C_EgUc6ZRElPM7mq&v=lKdGVaDS6BI&feature=youtu.be” link_option_url=”youtube.com\/watch?si=C_EgUc6ZRElPM7mq&v=lKdGVaDS6BI&feature=youtu.be” link_option_url_new_window=”on” url_new_window=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Many sponsor actions, including no-cost extensions, budget revisions, and changes in scope, require sponsor prior approval. The first step is to contac<\/span>t your Post Award te<\/span>am to determine requirements and develop the request strategy. PARs often require internal review and sponsor processing, which can take days or even weeks, so early engagement is key to avoiding project delays.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n View our New Video for More Information! <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n h<\/span>ttps:\/\/youtu.be\/lKdGVaDS6BI?si=C_EgUc6ZRElPM7mq<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n You can also learn about individual PARs by visiting our Granting Success page for award & financi<\/span>al <\/span>management at <\/span>go.wcu.edu\/research<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Contact Kloo Hansen (<\/span>kchansen@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a>) or Cameron Lopez (<\/span>clopez@wcu.edu)<\/span><\/a> for assi<\/span>st<\/span>anc<\/span>e<\/span> w<\/span>i<\/span>th PA<\/span>R<\/span>s. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Academic Year Release Season Is Here!” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n PIs should have received an email detailing all personnel with Academic Year (AY) release effort beginning between August 1 and <\/span>December 31, 2026<\/span>, including project information, person mon<\/span>ths, sala<\/span>ry rep<\/span>lacement amount<\/span>s, and e<\/span>ffective dat<\/span>es. Please rev<\/span>iew an<\/span>d submit a<\/span>ny<\/span> <\/span>approvals,<\/span> comme<\/span>nts, or requested changes as soon as possible. Our internal deadline for<\/span> submission through Talent Management (TM) is <\/span>September 4, 2026<\/span>. A second round of notifications for release effort beginning between <\/span>January 1 and May 31, 2027<\/span> will be distributed in November. If you anticipate a need for AY release on a sponsored project, please contact the Post Award team early to discuss options, requirements, and timelines.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Contact Kloo Hansen (<\/span>kchansen@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a>) or Cameron Lopez (<\/span>clopez@wcu.edu)<\/span><\/a> for assistance with PARs. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”Compliance Updates: Fall Review Board Deadlines Approaching” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” width=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Planning research involving human participants, animals, or recombinant\/synthetic biological materials? Be sure to review upcoming <\/span>IRB, IACUC, and IBC meeting and protocol submission deadlines<\/span> and submit materials early to allow adequate time for review. Investigators are encouraged to take advantage of the <\/span>help guides, templates, FAQs, and submission resources available on the ORA website <\/span>to streamline the process. For questions, protocol planning, or assistance with submissions, please contact <\/span>Kloo Hansen<\/span> (<\/span>kchansen@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a>) or <\/span>Billy Hutchings<\/span> (<\/span>wshutchings@wcu.edu<\/span><\/a>). We’re here to help ensure your protocols are complete and ready for review.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n See the Deadlines Here: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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