Statement Of Purpose
The Research Foundation encourages the exploration of new fields across a broad spectrum of disciplines. In doing so, the Foundation expands opportunities for faculty to attract support and resources from external sources while encouraging work in fields that are traditionally under-funded.
The Foundation supports two levels of grants. The first level, Type A grants, provide support in the range of $500 to $5,000. The second level, Type B grants, provide support in the range of $5,000 to $50,000. The standard application for a Type A grant is briefer than that for a Type B grant, reflecting respective funding levels. However, the review criteria for Type A and Type B grants are similar, and several general factors are considered in evaluating an application for either type of grant. They are:
+ Its contribution to the development of the applicant's research
potential and progress.
+ The quality, importance and impact of the proposed research
project.
+ Its potential value for enhancing the stature of the
University.
+ Its budget appropriateness in terms of the project proposed,
including consideration of need and availability of external support.
The Application Process
The Research Foundation Board will review both Type A and Type B applications in the fall and spring of each academic year. Applications for the fall cycle are due on or before November 1 of each year, while spring cycle applications are due on or before March 15 of each year. All research projects involving human subjects or animals must receive Institutional Board approval prior to funding. Questions concerning humans/animal research should be directed to Ruth Clark at 898-2614. All research projects involving the use of hazardous or biohazardous materials must receive approval from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) prior to initiation of experimentation. Questions about this approval process should be directed to Harriet Izenberg at 898-4453.
An Original And Ten Copies of both Type A and Type B proposals should be submitted to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, 212 College Hall/6381.
Type A Proposals should contain a brief description of the research and the specific needs which the grant will cover. The proposal should include:
I. Cover page(s)
1. Name, Title, Department, School, Campus Mailing Address, Signatures of Department Chairperson and Dean.
2. Title of proposal.
3. Does the project utilize human subjects or animals?
4. Does the project involve the use of any of the following:
+ potentially infectious agents including human blood, blood
products, body fluids or tissues?
+ in vitro formation of recombinant DNA?
+ hazardous chemicals (acutely toxic chemicals, reproductive
hazards, carcinogens)?
5. Amount requested.
6. 100-word abstract of need.
7. 100-word description of the significance of the project for the educated non-specialist.
8. Amount of current research support.
9. Other pending proposals for the same project.
10. List of research support received during the past three years. Include funds from University sources such as schools, department, or Research Foundation. If you were funded by the Research Foundation in the last three years, please submit a brief progress report with publications and grants proposed or received (no more than one page).
11. A one-page biographical sketch of the investigator(s) listing educational background, academic positions held, and five recent publications.
II. A back-up of the 100-word abstract in the form of a 3 or 4 page mini-proposal.
III. A budget list that justifies the specific items requested and assigns a priority to each item. Budgets should not exceed a two-year maximum time period.
Categories of Research Foundation support for Type A proposals will focus on:
+ Seed money for the initiation of new research.
+ Limited equipment requests directly related to research
needs.
+ Summer Stipends, with preference for applications from
Assistant Professors.
+ Travel expenses for research only.
+ Publication preparation costs.
Type B Proposals are limited to ten single spaced pages in length. The following format is suggested for Type B proposals:
I. Cover Page(s)
1. Name, Title, Department, School, Campus Mailing Address, Signatures of Department Chairperson and Dean.
2. Title of proposal.
3. Does the project utilize human subjects or animals?
4. Does the project involve the use of any of the following:
+ potentially infectious agents including human blood, blood
products, body fluids or tissues?
+ in vitro formation of recombinant DNA?
+ hazardous chemicals (acutely toxic chemicals, reproductive
hazards, carcinogens)?
5. Amount requested.
6. 100-word abstract of need.
7. Amount of current research support.
8. Other pending proposals for the same project.
9. Listing of publications and research support, including titles, amounts, and grant periods, received during the past three years. Include funds from University sources such as schools, department, or Research Foundation.
10. A brief curriculum vitae for the principal investigator.
II. Introduction (2 to 3 pages)
Statement of the objectives and scholarly or scientific significance of the proposed work.
III. Methods of Procedure (3 to 4 pages)
Description of the research plan and methodologies to be employed.
IV. Description of the significance and impact of the project.
V. Description of how a Research Foundation grant will facilitate acquisition of future research funds.
VI. Budget (one page) 2 year maximum. Each budget item should be listed in order of priority.
Categories of Research Foundation support for Type B proposals focus on several areas of need. These are:
+ Matching funds, vis-a-vis external grant sources.
+ Seed money for exploratory research programs.
+ Support for interdisciplinary research initiatives.
+ Faculty released time.
Requests for student tuition and dissertation fees will not be considered by the Foundation..