Networks of Excellence Funding Opportunities - General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Eligibility and Collaborators
I am planning to collaborate with a faculty member from another department but we are at the same SUNY institution. Does this collaboration meet the eligibility criteria?
No. As indicated in the General Guidelines, the program requires at least two SUNY institutions to be represented in the LOI and full proposal. A SUNY institution such as the University at Buffalo with more than one physical campus is still considered one institution.
Can a researcher be funded by more than one Network of Excellence?
Yes, however the proposal efforts must be distinct and separate, insofar as each scope and budget must align with the respective Network’s vision and intents and not be merely reiterative. Finally, although faculty may join multiple proposal teams and Networks, submitting the same proposal to multiple Networks is prohibited.
Can a research team funded by the Networks of Excellence during the previous round request a renewal?
No, a research team cannot request a renewal. However, any research team (previously/currently funded or not) may submit an application in response to an openly competed RFP proposing a new scope of work that builds on their previous research. There is no preference for or against previous/current awardees. Within the RFP, additional information from research teams that submitted an application during the previous funding round but were not funded is requested in the “for a Revised Applications ONLY” section. Because previous/current awardees were funded, they should not submit the additional information.
Can a SUNY researcher who is not a faculty member apply?
Tenure track, non-faculty research associates at SUNY campuses and research scientists employed through the Research Foundation for SUNY are eligible to be the PI on a NoE application. There may be additional eligible categories of scientists. Please send questions to the relevant program contact.
Can a SUNY student apply for a Network of Excellence award?
The Summer Scholars program (offered by SUNY Brain and SUNY 4E) are specifically for undergraduate students. Once these opportunities are announced, undergraduate students should submit applications directly through the online application system.
For SUNY Brain, applicants applying to the Post-Doctoral program are expected to have completed their PhD by the award start date. Applicants will submit a post-doctoral candidate application directly through the online system. Selected applicants will be invited to work with SUNY investigators to develop and submit a detailed research plan.
For all other RFPs, the Principal Investigator should be a SUNY faculty member. PIs are encouraged to include undergraduate and graduate students in their projects. A student may be supported by a NOE award (e.g. through a stipend).
Can a budget request include funds for a non-SUNY researcher?
No. Please see related questions below.
Are researchers from Cornell University or Alfred University eligible to apply?
Statutory colleges are considered SUNY campuses for purposes of NoE awards.
Can a SUNY researcher working at a non-SUNY location receive funding?
Yes. If the researcher has a SUNY appointment, that researcher may request funds to support their work at a non-SUNY location. For example, a researcher at NYSDOH Wadsworth Center who maintains a faculty appointment at the University at Albany may request funds to support a graduate student working in a Wadsworth Center laboratory.
Preparing Your Application
Where are the SUNY NoE RFPs?
As RFPs are announced, they will be made available here:
My research team submitted an application in response to a SUNY Network of Excellence RFP last year but was not funded. Do I need to apply again or will my application automatically be considered?
An application that you submitted during a previous funding round will not automatically be considered. To be considered for funding, a member of the research team must submit a complete LOI (if required) and full proposal (if invited or otherwise eligible).
Where should references be attached?
Please include references as footnotes or endnotes in the Project Narrative attachment. References will be counted against the page limit but may be smaller font. Please only include essential references.
Using the online application system
Where do I submit my application?
Applications must be submitting using our online application system. Please create an account or log-in by visiting:
I want to change my password.
To change your password, click on your name in the top right hand corner and choose edit profile then change password.
Is there a way for more than one person to work on an LOI and Application?
No. Two people cannot work on the same application unless you share your log-in info.
I logged in but I don’t see the letter of intent/application. Where is it?
On the left, click “Apply,” a text box requesting an access code will appear. Enter the access code listed in the RFP and the letter of intent/application link will appear.
FAQs Specific To SUNY 4E NoE RFP Invited Resubmissions
May I add, substitute, or otherwise change members on research team?
We invited you to resubmit your Category A proposal because we were impressed with your initial submission. However, we understand that your research team and project may have evolved or progressed during the past year and/or responding to the reviewers’ comments may require you to add or change team members. So long as a minimum of two SUNY institutions are represented by your research team, you may add, substitute or otherwise change the members of your research team and the institutions they represent to best support the proposed project. Please highlight these changes and explain your rationale in your description of the Revisions (Attachment 1) and/or Past Year’s Activities (Attachment 2), as applicable.
May I add, substitute, or otherwise change the institutions participating in the project?
Yes, see answer above. Please highlight these changes and explain your rationale in your description of the Revisions (Attachment 1) and/or Past Year’s Activities (Attachment 2), as applicable.
May I change the scope of the project?
The essence of your project should remain the same; however, we understand that your project may have evolved or progressed during the past year and/or to best respond to the reviewer’s comments may require you to change the scope of your project. Please highlight these changes and explain your rationale in your description of the Revisions (Attachment 1) and/or Past Year’s Activities (Attachment 2), as applicable.