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UB 2020 Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund (IRDF)

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The objective of the Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund (IRDF) is to provide resources to stimulate interdisciplinary research at UB that will lead to securing external research funds. IRDF will provide funding on a competitive basis. The intent of this program is to catalyze collaborations between faculty in different disciplines that will lead to new research and scholarly projects. The IRDF is expected to help increase the probability of getting competitive external grant funding for new collaborative initiatives. IRDF proposals must be aligned with the strength areas that have been identified in the UB2020 strategic plan.

Eligibility

All faculty and staff whose appointments allow them to submit external proposals through the UB Sponsored Programs office are eligible to apply. A minimum of two faculty from different disciplines must apply and their roles on the project must be clear. Proposed projects must be NEW research thrusts at UB and not a continuation of current research activities.

Submission Deadline

Grant proposals (original plus 6 copies) must be submitted by the close of business on October 30, 2009 to Dr. Kenneth Tramposch, Associate Vice President for Research, 516 Capen Hall. Written reviews of declined projects will not be provided. However, applicants can request a meeting to discuss the reviewer’s comments so that a revised application may be submitted in a future call for proposals.

Terms of Awards

Applicants can request funding for up to $40,000 for one year projects. Budgets must be consistent with the scope of the proposed project. Applicants must commit to submitting an external funding proposal for the project within 18 months of the award. Annual reports are required detailing the project’s progress and listing proposals submitted and funding received. At the one year anniversary date, there will be a special IRDF Workshop open to the University community where awardees will present project results and detailed plans pursued to secure external funding. Award notices are expected to go out December 15, 2009 with award start dates of January 1, 2010.

Budget Restrictions

Funds may not be used for faculty/administrative salaries or tuition. Travel to conferences to present project data related to the IRDF funded project is allowed.

Application format

The proposal should include:

  • Fully Completed Proposal Cover Page.
  • Project Description (12 point font, single spaced, 5 page limit excluding references)
    Project Description should use the following template:
    1. Background and Significance of the project and its relation to UB 2020.
    2. Potential impact of the project on the field.
    3. Goals of the pilot phase of the project.
    4. Overview of how the goals will be accomplished.
    5. Explicit roles of each interdisciplinary team member in the project.
    6. Budget, Budget Justification and Timeline – Explain why IRDF funds are critical for securing external funding of the larger project. Please note that budget reasonableness is a review criteria.
  • Biosketch or brief CV (4 pages) for each investigator showing current and pending support. Proposed projects must not overlap with current funding.
  • If any investigator has received prior IRDF or IRCAF funding, please attach a summary of the outcomes of the project including publications, human resource development, and external funding proposals submitted and awarded. These outcomes will be reviewed by the panel along with the other application materials
  • If a similar proposal has been reviewed and declined by an external funding agency, the reviews MUST be included.
  • No appendices; other than funding agency reviews, are allowed and will not be reviewed

Review Criteria

The proposals will be reviewed by Ad hoc panels of faculty and final decisions will be made by the VPR based on the reviewer’s comments. Awards will be based on the intrinsic intellectual merit, scope and potential impact of the project on the research field and on the university’s mission, both in UB 2020 and beyond. The feasibility of the project and budget reasonableness will also be reviewed. The proposal must clearly show the interdisciplinary nature of the work proposed for funding. Heavy weight will be placed on the potential impact of the IRDF funding on the probability of securing external funding for the project. The number of awards will depend on the availability of funds.