Thomas Harriot College of Arts & Sciences Research Initiation Grant (RIG)

The College is pleased to announce the allocation of non-recurring funds for academic year 2016-17 to support seed grants for starting up new scholarly, research or creative initiatives. These may include projects from both early career faculty and senior faculty who have not received extramural funding for the project outlined in the proposal. Moreover, senior faculty must demonstrate that this is a “new initiative,” not just an extension of work they have already done. These grants are not intended to be used as bridge funds or to fund ongoing scholarly or research initiatives. There is an expectation that projects supported by these awards will include a plan for seeking external funding after the completion of the project.

Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 30th, 2016. Please submit one hard copy, or submit electronically as a PDF document, to Cindy Putnam-Evans, Associate Dean for Research, Bate 2303A. Electronic submission is preferred. Notification of awards will be made on or before October 14th, 2016.

Eligibility

Full time tenured and tenure track faulty are eligible to apply. Fixed-term faculty whose hiring contracts specify a percentage of effort devoted to research activities may also apply. Faculty who currently have start-up funding are not eligible to apply during the start-up period.

Timeline

Awards of up to $5000 will be made, with the expectation that all funds will be expended in the current fiscal year (2016-17). Failure to complete the project and expend funds appropriately by June 30, 2017, may result in the return of all or some portion of the award funds.

Reporting

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report within 90 days after the end of the award. Eligibility for other internal awards will be contingent upon timely submission of final reports.

Proposal Review

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel representing the broad disciplinary areas of the College. Therefore, proposals should be written such that they can be understood by faculty who are not experts in the applicant’s exact discipline of study. Review criteria include the following:

  1. Does the project have the potential for high impact in the field of study?
  2. Are the methods/strategies appropriate for achieving the primary goals and objectives?
  3. What is the likelihood that the proposed research can be completed during the 1-year budget period?
  4. Does the proposal provide a plan for seeking and securing external funding within a reasonable timeframe after the completion of the project?
  5. What is the capability of the applicant based on her/his research and publication record?

RIG APPLICATION FORMAT

I. Cover Page (Include this page as the cover page to your proposal.)

Name of Applicant:

Department: Office Phone:

Rank: Tenure Status:

Date of Application:

Title of Proposed Project:

Signature of Applicant: ______

Signature of Department Chair: ______

II. Project Description (not to exceed three, single-spaced pages, references not included; please use a font size no smaller than 11 pt)

A.Statement of the problem and its significance (For applicants who are not new investigators, please include a justification of how the proposed work represents a new initiative.)

B.Goals/objectives of the project

C.Research methodology to be employed

D.Budget/budget justification

E.Plan for seeking extramural funding

III.Curriculum Vitae (two page limit, strictly enforced)

  1. Name
  2. Rank & Department
  3. Room & Phone #
  4. Institutions/Degrees received
  5. Professional work experience
  6. Number of peer-reviewed publications to date

As primary author______; Total publications______

  1. Current and past internal research awards (e.g., Faculty Senate awards, REDE awards)
  2. Past record of external funding, including current and pending support

I. Graduate students directed in the past 5 years - specify number of graduate students funded from grants

J. Relevant Publications (max. 5)