The University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Centers (UWIRC) program was conceived in 1995 and implemented with initial funding in 1997 for ten “full” centers and 7 “pilot” centers.  Since its inception, this program has played a major role in promoting interdisciplinary, cross-institutional collaboration at UAB.  "An Organization Plan for the UAB Centers",  was authored in 1995 by Drs. Richard Allman, Eric Hunter, Craig & Sharon Ramey and Al LoBuglio and outlines the essential features of the program:

• Membership includes substantive involvement of faculty from multiple schools
• Provides resources for support of University's research infrastructure
• Provides an intellectual environment which enhances faculty and student recruitment, development and retention
• Has a financial base for support of Center/Core activities
• Provides leadership/coordination for the integration of research and service (translational research)
• Provides management and planning to facilitate acquisition of external research support
• Is involved in community outreach/partnerships
• Serves as a resource for the state and region
• Provides an interdisciplinary matrix for training
• Contains internal and external review processes to assure quality and productivity

Click here for a timeline of the different UWIRCs that have been funded by this program.