The Big Idea Challenge
The University of Arizona is at the forefront of addressing global challenges that impact society. To support continued research that seeks, understands, and implements solutions that benefit Arizona and the world, the Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP) launched the Big Idea Challenge.
Recent updates
5/30/25 - Six teams selected as awardees of the inaugural University of Arizona Big Idea Challenge
The Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP) will provide strategic guidance and seed funding to the finalists to support transformative research that seeks novel solutions to grand challenges. ORP will also provide the remaining eight finalist teams with $5,000 in seed funding to continue advancing their proposals.
5/12/25 - Collaboration and vision drive Big Idea Challenge Pitch Day
Fourteen transdisciplinary teams presented visionary proposals during the University of Arizona Big Idea Challenge Pitch Day. The venture capital-style pitch event marked the culmination of the newest university initiative to launch high-impact, large-scale research efforts with the power to attract major external funding and deliver meaningful outcomes for Arizona and the world.
4/7/25 - The Big Idea Challenge attracts dozens of transdisciplinary submissions addressing society’s urgent global challenges
Proposals address six strategic research areas: data, information systems and artificial intelligence; defense and national security; energy and environmental sustainability; the future of health and biomedical sciences; the human experience; and space sciences.
This initiative incentivizes transdisciplinary, convergent research teams to incubate ideas, generate new insights, and launch transformative, high-impact projects with the potential for future extramural support.
These projects will further enhance U of A’s position as a leader in producing game-changing research and innovation that tackles regional, national, and global challenges in six strategic areas.
Big Ideas Lead to Transformative Solutions
Out of 72 bold proposals submitted by transdisciplinary teams across the University of Arizona, 14 were selected as finalists—and now, six have been awarded $250,000 each to launch visionary projects that exemplify the university’s commitment to solutions for society.
These projects tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges: expanding access to health care through digital tools, improving agricultural sustainability, building resilient health systems amid rising heat, unlocking new frontiers in space-based infrastructure, modeling planetary habitability, and enabling preparedness for environmental hazards through deep-time science. Each initiative reflects the power of convergent research to shape a more secure, healthy and sustainable future for Arizona and the world.
Convergent Digital Health for Remote Access (CoDiRA)
CoDiRA reimagines healthcare delivery with AI-powered kiosks, remote diagnostics, medical selfies, and personalized digital twins. Designed for underserved populations, this ecosystem pairs advanced tech with multilingual support, virtual education, and community collaboration. Led by Dr. Srikar Adhikari, the project builds scalable, culturally sensitive models to bridge healthcare gaps in Arizona and beyond.
Summoning microbial allies to reduce nitrogen fertilizer dependency in modern agriculture
Synthetic nitrogen is essential yet inefficient and environmentally costly. This project seeks to boost nitrogen-use efficiency through microbiome-based solutions, potentially saving billions and reducing runoff damage. Led by Dr. Mark Beilstein this project is focused on sustainable agriculture in Arizona and beyond to advance innovation at the intersection of biology, food systems, and environmental health.
Making Space for off-Earth Scalable Cloud Computing and Data Infrastructure
AZSCI (pronounced “A-Z Sky”) proposes migrating data infrastructure to space. Solar-powered satellites would reduce Earth-based server costs, energy use, and cybersecurity risks. Ideal for defense, disaster response, and AI, the project positions Arizona as a leader in orbital data innovation. Krishna Muralidharan leads this visionary initiative.
From early Earth to Mars: Landscape terraformation and digital twinning at Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 becomes the launchpad for a new science of terraformation. Combining real-world experiments with AI-powered digital twins, this project simulates how life can shape planets. Scott Saleska leads efforts to establish a national center for terraformation and habitability—advancing planetary science, sustainability, and Arizona’s global research leadership.
Heat and Health Resilience Innovation Consortium
With extreme heat causing record-breaking deaths in Arizona, this project launches a statewide consortium to develop wearable biosensors, kiosk care, multilingual apps, and AI-driven health risk tools. Co-led by Dr. Amelia Gallitano and Dr. Freya Spielberg, it integrates tech, clinical training, and community partnerships to save lives and lead innovation in climate-responsive health.
Invest in TIME! Earth hazards research through tree-ring science and solar archives
The TIME Lab decodes environmental and solar history by analyzing radiocarbon in tree rings with annual precision. This research reveals ancient solar storms and can be used to precision date earthquakes and associated geohazards, providing insights crucial for resilience planning. Led by Charlotte Pearson, and in partnership with planetary and solar science groups, the lab positions Arizona as a leader in earth hazards research.
In the News
Six teams selected as awardees of the inaugural Big Idea Challenge
The Office of Research and Partnerships shared the initial news through UA News at the end of May.
U of A names 6 teams to each get $250k through Big Idea Challenge
Tucson’s newspaper of record outlines the Big Idea Challenge, including the six award-winning projects.
U of A announces winners of inaugural Big Idea Challenge
A Primary Investigator for one of the six award-winning teams is interviewed by a local TV news station.
U of A is the State of Arizona’s flagship, public, land grant institution
As a land-grant institution, the U of A is deeply engaged in building thriving, sustainable lives, communities and economies.
Transcending boundaries to deliver practical and impactful solutions
In our vision for research, educational innovation, scholarship, and creative activity, researchers move beyond and across traditional academic boundaries, collaborating across disciplines and internationally with other universities, policy makers, economists, artists and designers, and business leaders to create solutions for a better world.
The U of A Big Idea Challenge (BIC) is an initiative by the Office of Research and Partnerships (ORP) to incentivize the formation of transdisciplinary research teams tackling grand global challenges. It provides seed funding to develop innovative ideas that can lead to significant external funding and societal impact.
It is open to transdisciplinary teams that include U of A faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and research staff. The team must include a project champion who is an experienced tenured, or tenure-track, faculty member.
Proposals that integrate multiple disciplines from these six strategic research pillars are highly encouraged:
- Defense and National Security
- Energy and Environmental Sustainability
- Health and Biomedical Sciences
- The Human Experience
- Data, Information Systems and AI
- Space Sciences
It encourages transdisciplinary research that crosses traditional academic boundaries, integrating perspectives from science, engineering, business, social sciences, arts, design, and humanities to create holistic solutions to global challenges.
Selected teams receive support from U of A Research Development Services, Lewis-Burke Associates, and Foundation Relations to identify funding opportunities. Additional support for technology transfer and public engagement is available through Tech Launch Arizona and Tech Parks Arizona.
Up to $250,000 for two years. That is $125,000 per year.
No.
Contact Information
For questions regarding this solicitation, please contact: Research Development Services
ResDev@arizona.edu
Phone: (520) 621-8585