Cal Poly Funds 17 Faculty Research Projects

Over $305,000 awarded through university's grant program supporting scholarly activities.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:08pm

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Cal Poly's Office of Research has announced 17 awards for the 2026-27 Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RSCA) grant program cycle, providing over $305,000 in funding to selected faculty projects. The RSCA program supports faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities that contribute new knowledge and address real-world challenges.

Why it matters

The RSCA grant program is a key mechanism through which Cal Poly supports the Teacher-Scholar Model, integrating excellence in teaching with robust research and creative activities. These funded projects demonstrate the depth and relevance of scholarly work at the university, strengthening California's social, cultural, and economic landscape.

The details

The RSCA grants are supported by funds from the California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office and Cal Poly's Office of the Provost. Proposals were selected based on the criteria outlined in the RSCA Request for Proposals, and guided by the review and rankings of the Academic Senate Grants Review Committee and the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Committee.

  • The 2026-27 RSCA grant cycle awards were announced on April 6, 2026.

The players

Dean Wendt

Cal Poly's interim associate vice provost of research.

Philip Costanzo

Chair of the Grants Review Committee of the Cal Poly Academic Senate.

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What they’re saying

“The RSCA competition demonstrates the remarkable depth and relevance of our scholarly work at Cal Poly. These projects exemplify how rigorous research and creative activity can address real-world challenges, strengthen our communities, provide rich learning opportunities for our students, and extend the reach and impact of our expertise beyond the university.”

— Dean Wendt, Cal Poly's interim associate vice provost of research

“The RSCA program continues to receive competitive proposals from all facets of campus, which is a great demonstration of the faculty's commitment to research and the involvement of students in meaningful experiences. Cal Poly's research program continues to grow and thrive.”

— Philip Costanzo, Chair of the Grants Review Committee of the Cal Poly Academic Senate

What’s next

The selected faculty projects will be carried out over the 2026-27 academic year, with the potential for additional funding and support from the university in future cycles.

The takeaway

Cal Poly's RSCA grant program demonstrates the university's commitment to supporting faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities that address real-world challenges and provide valuable learning opportunities for students. The funded projects highlight the depth and relevance of scholarly work at Cal Poly, strengthening the institution's role as a leader in higher education.