Overview 

This chapter provides an overview of key academic and research resources available to faculty at the University of Florida. It covers support for research and grant development, curriculum design and assessment, instructional development through the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), access to extensive collections and services through the Smathers Libraries, and essential IRB training for research involving human subjects. These resources are designed to empower faculty in advancing their teaching, scholarship, and research endeavors. 

Resources 

Research & Grants  

Research at the University of Florida drives discovery, fuels innovation, and contributes to economic growth and educational advancement. UF Research supports faculty and student success by connecting researchers with funding opportunities, promoting UF’s research strengths to potential collaborators, and building strategic partnerships with external stakeholders. 

  • Support for Researchers: UF Research provides comprehensive support for faculty and students engaged in research, including help with proposal development, funding opportunities, compliance, and commercialization. 
  • Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP): This office assists with proposal preparation, submission, and award management, ensuring compliance with sponsor and university policies. 
  • Compliance & Ethics: The site outlines requirements for disclosing financial interests, foreign collaborations, and other support, especially for NIH-funded projects. 
  • Training & Resources: UF Research offers training on topics like IRB protocols, responsible conduct of research, and data management. 
  • Partnerships & Innovation: The office promotes collaboration with industry and government partners and supports technology transfer and startup development through UF Innovate. 

Important URLs 

Curriculum & Assessment  

The Office of Institutional Assessment at the University of Florida plays a central role in supporting academic excellence by guiding faculty and departments in the continuous evaluation and improvement of student learning and program effectiveness. Through the development of annual assessment plans and reports, the office ensures that academic programs align with UF’s mission and maintain high standards of quality and accountability. At the heart of this work is a commitment to UF’s diverse and high-achieving undergraduate population. Faculty are encouraged to foster meaningful learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, build strong relationships with students, and set high academic expectations. These efforts not only enhance student success but also reflect UF’s broader goal of creating a learning environment where all students are supported, challenged, and inspired to thrive. 

CTE 

The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) at the University of Florida supports faculty, instructors, and graduate students in creating transformative, inclusive learning environments that promote student success. CTE offers a wide range of professional development opportunities, including workshops, teaching consultations, certificate programs like Passport to Great Teaching, and initiatives such as Elevate and Faculty Learning Communities. The center also leads efforts in online course quality, textbook affordability, and innovative teaching strategies, helping educators grow their teaching practice and enhance student learning across disciplines. 

George A. Smathers Libraries 

The George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida offer a wide range of services and resources to support faculty teaching, research, and scholarship. Faculty have access to over 30,000 journals, hundreds of databases, and specialized research support through the Academic Research Consulting & Services (ARCS) team. Services include course reserves, copyright guidance, interlibrary loan, and tailored library instruction to enhance student learning. Faculty can also connect with subject specialists for personalized assistance and access materials both on and off campus through the UF Libraries Catalog and remote login tools. 

  • Every faculty member has access to librarians who know your subject area. They are your best resource! Find yours at Subject/Area Specialists
  • The UF Libraries also offer assistance with other services that cut across disciplines through ARCS: Academic Research Consultation and Services.
  • We have unique special collections, including the University Archives and 5 preeminent collections: the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Collection, the Price Library of Judaica, the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History, and the Map and Imagery Library. Additional information about our special collections. 
  • The UF Digital Collections hosts more than 300 outstanding digital collections, containing over 16 million pages, covering over 178,000 subjects in rare books,  manuscripts, antique maps, children’s literature, newspapers, theses and dissertations, data sets, photographs, oral histories and more.

IRB Training 

The UF Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for safeguarding the rights, welfare, and privacy of individuals who participate in research. It ensures that all human subjects research conducted under UF’s oversight is ethically sound, scientifically valid, and compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations. 

  • Approval Requirement: All research involving human participants must receive IRB approval or exemption before beginning, regardless of location. 
  • IRB Divisions: 
  • IRB-01: Oversees health-related research. 
  • IRB-02: Oversees campus-based, non-medical research. 
  • Submission System: Faculty must use the myIRB system to submit protocols for review. 
  • Tools Available: Includes a non-human/exempt auto-determination tool to help researchers determine if IRB review is needed. 
  • Compliance: Research must comply with federal, state, and institutional regulations. 

Author: Zaina DeLaney, Ed.D. 

Last Reviewed/Updated: June 2025