Center for Research
The Mission
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) Center for Research exists to support LUCOM faculty and students as they pursue excellence in research and scholarly activity.
The greater than 8,500-square-foot Center for Research features eight state-of-the-art molecular and cellular labs, a large central lab, a dedicated administrative suite, and an expanded animal facility.
Five Year Goals (2024-29)
LUCOM aims to enhance the research and scholarly activity of its faculty and students through the following primary goals:
- Increase opportunities for LUCOM students to engage in mentored scholarly or research activity throughout the 4-year curriculum.
- Increase collaboration across university departments, with an emphasis on expanding research and scholarly activity in osteopathic manipulative medicine and the osteopathic approach to patient care.
- Develop and maintain streamlined processes for securing intramural research funding for faculty and students.
- Increase access to resources and personnel to support and expand basic, clinical, and educational research and scholarly activity.
- Develop an environment that fosters life-long learning and facilitates the submission of competitive applications for extramural funding.
- Increase research and scholarship productivity and impact via dissemination in peer-reviewed journals and at professional conferences.
- Increase awareness and engagement of the LUCOM Cureus publishing platform and the annual LUCOM Research Day.
Extramural Research Grants
All communications with funding sources outside of the university must be submitted through the Liberty University Office of Sponsored Programs and Research. An overview of the grant writing process and how to apply can be found on the Grant Process page.
Intramural Research Grants
- Instructions for submitting grant applications.
- Unless specifically instructed, LUCOM will not consider intramural applications for Faculty Release or Student Research Project Awards.
Funds are available to support the research and scholarly activity of LUCOM faculty, staff, and students from project inception to dissemination.
Research Project Award (Faculty)
LUCOM faculty seeking funds to cover costs associated with research and/or scholarly activity can apply for a Research Project Award online through the Liberty University Office of Sponsored Programs and Research.
Faculty having received prior intramural funding are required to submit a progress report summarizing the results from the prior grant before new award funds will be released.
Faculty should include the following as attachments to their application:
1. Current curriculum vitae
2. Itemized budget
3. Project proposal (submitted as a single file)
a. Specific Aims Page (1-page, see this NIH reference on approaches to creating a Specific Aims page)
b. Strategy / Methodology / Approach (1-page)
Scholarship Award (Faculty)
LUCOM faculty seeking funds to cover costs associated with presenting research or scholarly activity, or publishing a peer-reviewed manuscript, can apply for a Scholarship Award online through the Liberty University Office of Sponsored Programs and Research.
Faculty should review the Liberty University Travel Policy prior to submitting an application to ensure an appropriate budget is prepared.
Please note that any employee driving a University-owned, rented, or personal vehicle for the purposes of University business must be approved by Liberty University Transportation. This process determines the insurability of the employee. Please refer to the approved driver process for more information.
Applicants should include the following as attachments for this funding mechanism:
1. Copy of submitted manuscript or abstract
2. Proof of review and acceptance for publication / presentation
3. Itemized budget for approved travel expenses
Research Presentation Award (Student)
LUCOM student-doctors seeking funds to cover costs associated with presenting original, peer-reviewed research or scholarly activity at a reputable conference can apply for a Student Research Presentation Award online through the Liberty University Center for Research and Scholarship.
LUCOM sets a maximum budget for each submitted abstract and the application requires applicants to provide budget codes. Student travel outside of the USA is generally not supported. Budget amounts and appropriate budget codes can be provided by email from the LUCOM Center for Research at LUCOMResearch@liberty.edu.
Students should review the Liberty University Travel Policy prior to submitting an application to ensure an appropriate budget is prepared. Please note that only Liberty-approved drivers are authorized to drive for any professional event. Please refer to the approved driver process.
Applicants should include the following as attachments for this funding mechanism:
1. Copy of submitted manuscript or abstract
2. Letter of support from faculty mentor highlighting role of student in publication / presentation
3. Proof of review and acceptance for publication / presentation
4. Itemized budget for approved travel expenses
Research and Scholarly Activity
Stories