Funding Incentive Seed Grant Program Instructions

Deadlines: February 15 and August 24

**Please Note: Change in Application Process**

**Apply ONLINE Now**

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Funding Incentive Seed Grant Program, sponsored by the University of Utah Research Foundation, will support only new areas of research for a principal investigator(s). Research that is already supported by other sources will not be approved for funding. Gap funding to bridge support between external grants or contracts will not be considered. The applicant must clearly and convincingly demonstrate that the proposed project represents a new research direction in an area likely to generate extramural funding. Seed funding under this program is to be used to successfully compete for extramural funds to support the project in the long term.

Preference will be given to programs that:

  1. Generate creative new areas of research
  2. Have strong potential to generate extramural funding
  3. Build or strengthen cross-disciplinary research partnerships
  4. Have the potential for high positive impact on society

Investigators in less research-intensive colleges are encouraged to apply.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Only one proposal per applicant will be accepted in any application cycle. An applicant may not be a principal investigator on more than one proposal during an application period. An applicant may not be a principal investigator on one proposal and a co-Investigator on another during the same application period. An applicant may not be a co-Investigator on more than one proposal during the same application period.

Applicants must be tenure track faculty in residence at the time of application and be at least 0.75 FTE OR auxiliary (adjunct) faculty of at least 0.75 FTE with a minimum of a two-year residency, in rank, at the University of Utah.

If an application has been turned down by the review panel, the PI is allowed one re-submission of a revised proposal on the same subject. Revised proposals must indicate changes from previous proposal and responses to reviewer comments.

In the case where an application is funded, the PI is not eligible to compete in future grant cycles for three years from the activation date of the successful proposal.

Proposals that have already been submitted to an extramural agency or those already reviewed and found non competitive by an extramural agency will not be reviewed.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

There will be two submission cycles per year with deadlines at the close of business (5:00 pm) on February 15 and August 24 of each year. If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are due on the first work day following the 15th. An applicant may submit only a single proposal each cycle, whether individually or in combination with others (see above).

Submissions will be submitted using the ERICA System.

One copy of the proposal should be submitted to the Office of Sponsored Projects at either the Health Sciences office at Research Administration Building, 75 S. 2000 E. or the general campus office at 1471 E. Federal Way. Proposals will not be returned.

Include only one copy of the Official Document Summary Sheet (eProposal), with the final page signed by the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Department Chair, Dean or others, as authorized. If human subjects or animal research is involved, provide one copy of the IRB or IACUC, as appropriate.

The application must include the following forms and narrative arranged in this order:

  1. Cover Sheets (pages one and two)
  2. Technical Proposal
  3. Budget
  4. Current and Pending Support
  5. Biographical Sketch (no form provided)
  6. Letter of Support

If any information items requested above are not included at the time of submission, the proposal will not be reviewed.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING APPLICATION

All submissions will now be done via the Electronic Research & Integrity Compliance Administration (ERICA) system.

Call the Office of the Vice President for Research (581-7236) if you have problems either completing the forms or printing the application.

Apply Now Online

  1. Check program to which you are applying.
  2. List PI and co-PI contact information.
  3. Project budget should be for one year and not exceed $35,000. See “Budget” below.
  4. A project with a February submission must begin the first of any month from April through September and will be for one year. A project with a August submission must begin the first of any month from November through April.
  5. Abstract: limit to one-half page in the space provided, using one inch margins and single-spacing with a font size of 12 points. The abstract should be written in language a non-technical person can understand. The societal impact of the research should be included in the abstract.

 

Technical Proposal

Project Description

The project description must include, in this order:

  • General background
  • Technical significance of the research (include how this project is a new direction from your existing research efforts and the potential impact of this new direction)
  • Impact of this research on society and application areas where this research can or will be applied
  • Specific goals, objectives and anticipated results
  • Description of methods including anticipated barriers or technical difficulties. Also specify the resources needed for this project (equipment, materials, etc.) and indicate their availability.

The project description must be concise, limited to three typed, single-spaced pages with a font size of 12 points (see below for instructions on Key References and Extramural Support). One-inch margins must be maintained. If you feel additional information is important to submit, an appendix can be included but there is no obligation for reviewers to read it. There are no form pages provided. A violation of this format will result in your proposal not being reviewed.

NOTE: It is important that you consult the Technology Transfer Office before disclosing details of any research that may be patentable. Any confidential information in this proposal must be clearly identified by marking as "Confidential" at the top and bottom of each page where the confidential information appears.

2. Key references (One page maximum)

3. Extramural Support (One page maximum)

Provide a specific plan for development of the extramural proposal. This proposal serves as the final report for the project and must be completed within 1 year of completion of the seed grant. A specific target date for submission should be specified.

  • Program: Indicate from which extramural support programs you will be seeking support. List specific programs and why you anticipate that the research supported by this seed grant will leverage external support. Which grant submission deadline will you be targeting?
  • Objectives: What will be the thrust of the proposal and how is this specifically supported by this seed funding? What preliminary results will you be getting from this seed funding that will be included in the proposal? What is the application area you will be targeting, and what is the societal impact of the work you will be proposing?
  • Team: Who will be involved at this university and others? Briefly describe their skills related to the project. More people can be involved in your final proposal team than are included on the seed grant.
  • Pre-review: Who will read and comment on your proposal before it is submitted? (Having a colleague pre-review your grant significantly increases tits likelihood of being funded.) Include a letter or email of commitment from this colleague.

    • If this project has previously been submitted for external support, a copy of the executive summary of the review from the agency it was submitted to should be included with your application.

    4. Budgets

    Awards will be up to $35,000 for one year only.

    Funding is available for salaries and fringe benefits of post doctoral fellows, students, technicians, and other non-faculty project personnel, technical supplies, equipment and miscellaneous expenses.

    Grant funds cannot be used for faculty salaries (summer or academic year); travel that is not directly related to project research (e.g., conferences cannot be supported by this grant); consultants; or office equipment, including computers (unless specifically justified).

    Personnel time is limited to 12 months of any combination of post doc, technician, or graduate student. An additional 12 months of graduate student time may be budgeted when the application is from multiple departments/programs.

    Projects that are predominantly equipment budgets should be submitted to the University of Utah Research Instrumentation Program.

    5. Current and Pending Support

    Complete for each Principal Investigator and co-Investigator. Use additional page for each if necessary.

    6. Biographical Sketch

    Complete for each Principal Investigator and co-Investigator. Do not exceed two pages for each.

    7. Letter of Support

    • Each copy of the application must include a letter of support to the Vice President for Research from the department chair or equivalent. At a minimum, this letter must include an assurance that the PI will be present at the University for the duration of the grant period; that the department will be responsible for faculty salary during the grant period; and if appropriate, any support the department is willing to give to the faculty member in pursuing this new research direction. If this research is part of a larger research vision in the department or college, please describe how this proposal relates to that broader picture. The letter is part of the proposal packet that will be reviewed by panel members.
    • The application must also include a letter of support from a colleague who will assist in reviewing the final grant proposal that results from this seed grant research.

    No information other than what is asked for above will be reviewed.

    PROPOSAL EVALUATION

    The proposal evaluation is now online in the ERICA System.

    Applications will be reviewed by seed grant subcommittee of the University Research Council. This faculty committee is appointed by the University President, upon the recommendation of the Vice President for Research, in consultation with the Personnel and Elections Committee of the Academic Senate. Additional faculty members may be added on an ad hoc basis by the Vice President for Research. Applicants will be informed of the panel's recommendations on or about April 15 and November 15, respectively, for the February 15 and August 24 cycles.

    Review Criteria

    Proposals will be evaluated using this set of criteria:

    Proposals will be evaluated using this set of criteria:

    1. Does the PI(s) clearly explain the significance of the project to the discipline?
    2. Is the impact of the new research stated and justified?
    3. Does the PI(s) provide information necessary to determine if this is a new direction for the research?
    4. Are the goals, objectives and expected results stated clearly and are they reasonable, given the funds and time provided?
    5. Are the methods outlined and do the reflect the goals and objectives stated in the Proposal?
    6. Have potential barriers or technical difficulties been identified?
    7. Are key references provided?
    8. Have extramural opportunities been identified and are they reasonable?
    9. Does the PI (and co-PI's) have the experience necessary to carry out the project?
    10. Are the necessary resources available to carry out the project?

    GRANT ADMINISTRATION

    The Principal Investigator is responsible for the administration of grant funds. In particular, he/she must be certain that over-expenditures do not occur. Capital equipment purchased from the funds of the Foundation is the property of the University of Utah.

    If the work cannot be completed in the initial twelve-month period, the Principal Investigator may request one six month extension by sending a letter to the Vice President for Research at least one month prior to the end of the project.

    REPORTING REQUIREMENT

    Successful applicants must produce a new proposal for extramural funding as the final report within one year of completion of the project. In exceptional cases, where seed funding may prove the project to be ultimately non-competitive, a waiver of the extramural application requirement can be requested from the Office of the Vice President for Research. If neither an application or letter of explanation is submitted, no new Research Foundation funds will be made available to the PI until the letter or application is submitted.

    If you need assistance in completing the forms, or have any questions regarding grant procedures, please telephone Angela Allen, Office of the Vice President for Research (581-7236; e-mail angela.allen@vpres.adm.utah.edu).