Interdisciplinary Research And Creative Activities Fund

Office Of The Vice President For Research
University At Buffalo

FEBRUARY 1, 2005 FUNDING ROUND IS POSTPONED. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FUTURE ROUNDS.

PURPOSE

The Interdisciplinary Research and Creative Activities Fund (IRCAF) supports and facilitates the formation of collaborations and the exploration of innovative ideas that will open new directions in research and creative activities, enhance the intellectual environment of the campuses and lead to long term funding support from external sources. This fund was developed to specifically promote collaboration on topics of interest that cut across two or more schools.  However, true interdisciplinary proposals within one school are acceptable if no other appropriate faculty in a desired discipline exist outside of the single school.  Proposals from all areas of research and creative activity will be considered. However, faculty and professional staff are encouraged to submit proposals that are aligned with programs identified as research priorities for UB.  During this funding round, proposals focused on developing new technologies, tools and techniques that can overcome major obstacles to experimentation and substantially expand research projects are also encouraged.

The program will consider three types of proposals:

1. Planning Proposals: Supports the development of interdisciplinary research working groups. Through its meetings each group will identify and explore common interests. It is anticipated that working group discussions will lead to collaborative research proposals, symposia, seminar series, workshops and conferences.
2. Research/Creative Activities Proposals: IRCAF grants are intended to support new or expanding interdisciplinary and inter-decanal research which is innovative and has a high potential for return on investment. These grants are meant to support research and creative activities not yet sufficiently developed to obtain external funding.
3. Instrumentation Proposals: Support the purchase of shared-use instruments, equipment or software that can advance new or expanding interdisciplinary research and enhance the potential for external funding for one or more projects.

FUNDING

1. Planning Proposal: Grants of up to $10,000 dollars are available to support collaborative faculty groups across schools. Funding is available to cover expenses such as (a) meeting costs for the group (meals, refreshments) (b) stipend for a student responsible for group administrative needs, (c) travel for outside speakers and (d) support for hosting conferences.. These are one year for-purpose grants rather than for continuing support. Each group should have a designated leader and have at least 6 faculty members from two or more schools.
2. Research/Creative Activities Proposals: These grants are designed to support new initiatives in faculty research and creative activities. Grants up to $50,000 are available. It is anticipated that the majority of projects will be funded for a one-year period. Selected projects may be funded for up to two years if substantial progress and promise is demonstrated.
3. Instrumentation Grant Proposals: Grants will be awarded for shared instruments, equipment and software that will be initially used in a new or expanding collaboration between investigators from at least two different schools. The minimum award will be $5,000. While there is no upper limit on the cost of the instrument, the maximum award will be $50,000. The proposal should show the clear need for the instrumentation in the proposed project(s). Funding is limited to the purchase price of the instrument and minor facility alterations needed to locate the instrument.

Funding is expected to support the proposed project rather than general laboratory or field activities. Funds may, for example, be used to support salaries for research personnel, supplies, and other direct costs, but cannot be used to support investigator or administrative salaries. Ideally the funding will provide support for faculty who want to initiate a substantially new direction or support innovative projects that will help faculty expand into new areas of research. These funds are not intended to support established projects. However, proposals which expand ongoing work through new and innovative approaches will be considered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Awards will be made twice each year through a competitive UB peer review process. Proposals submitted for the February 1st or October 1st deadlines will be funded on March 1st or November 1st, respectively.

1. Planning Proposals:

The group leader will be responsible for submitting a brief application describing the group's topic, estimated budget and the faculty involved.

The application should contain the following sections:

1. Fully Completed Proposal Cover Page: One person should be designated as corresponding investigator.
2. Plan for group collaboration (3 page limit). Give brief description of how the group will work together to achieve its objectives. Explain how the university community will benefit by the proposed activity.
3. Budget sheet estimating costs by top level categories.
4. Letter of approval signed by the Department Chairs and Cognizant Dean(s) of the faculty involved. These letters should state that the proposal is consistent with the programs, objectives and resources of the Faculty/School.

Proposals will be evaluated by the following criteria:

• Clearly developed plans for initiating and maintaining interdisciplinary dialogue.
• Demonstration that the proposed research or creative activity is novel. (IRCAF funds are not intended to support ongoing activities).
• Resources available at UB for pursuing the proposed activities (e.g. faculty expertise, collections, instrumentation, facilities).
• Significance of proposed activities in relation to activities at other research universities (e.g. novelty, competitiveness, local/regional/state/national/global needs).
• The potential for external funding opportunities for collaborative research or creative activities resulting from the group activities.

Grant applications (original plus 5 copies) should be submitted to Kenneth M. Tramposch, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research, 516 Capen Hall (645-3321).

2. Research/Creative Activities Proposals:

The corresponding investigator is the person responsible for submitting the application for funding.

The applications should contain the following sections:

1. Fully Completed Proposal Cover Page: One person should be designated as corresponding investigator.
2. Scientific Rationale and Plan (limit 3 pages). This section should include full description of the study, hypotheses, design, background and approach. This section must be written so it is understandable to non-specialists.
3. Briefly define each key faculty member's role in executing the project.
4. Funding Sources to be targeted upon completion of proposed research. Total funding to be requested, planned submission dates and timeline for full research project. Explain how IRCAF funds will help the project or program move forward and improve the potential for outside funding.
5. Budget sheet estimating costs. Itemize costs by top level categories: personnel, equipment, supplies and travel.
6. Abbreviated biographical sketch (1 page) for each investigator.
7. If similar or related proposal has been reviewed but not funded by a outside agency, attach the reviews.
8. Letters of approval signed by the Department Chairs and Cognizant Dean(s) of the faculty involved.  These letters should state that the proposal is consistent with the programs, objectives and resources of the Faculty/School.

Projects will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Innovation and quality of research approach.
• Must involve faculty from more than one school or discipline.
• Represents a new initiative at UB not an established program.
• High potential for future outside funding.

Grant applications (original plus 5 copies) should be submitted to Kenneth M. Tramposch, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research, 516 Capen Hall (645-3321).

3. Instrumentation, Equipment and Software Proposals:

The corresponding investigator is the person responsible for submitting the application on behalf of the interdisciplinary team.

The application should contain the following sections:

1. Fully Completed Proposal Cover Page: One person should be designated as corresponding investigator.
2. Description of the instrument, equipment or software requested. If similar instruments are existing at UB, describe why they are unavailable for the project(s) (1 page).
3. Research Projects (3 page limit). Give a brief description of the projects that will benefit from the acquisition. Provide a clear justification of why the equipment is needed for the proposed project or projects. List the funding sources for conducting the project(s). Explain how the proposed instrument will impact the users ability to obtain external funding.
4. Budget. Itemize purchase prices for the main instrument and requested accessories. Include cost estimates for facility alterations (eg. electrical/internet connectivity).
5. Plan for managing usage of the instrument including designation of an individual who can provide technical expertise to new users. (1 page).
6. Abbreviated biographical sketch for each investigator whose projects will benefit (1 page).
7. If applicable, letters of commitment for matching funds if the cost exceeds $50,000
8. Letters of approval signed by the Department Chairs and Cognizant Deans(s) of the faculty involved. These letters should state that the proposal is consistent with the programs, objectives and resources of the Faculty/School.

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Clear need for the instrument, equipment or software to advance interdisciplinary research.
• Quality of the research projects that will benefit from the acquisition.
• Potential for the acquisition to enhance future external funding.

Grant applications (original plus 5 copies) should be submitted to Kenneth M. Tramposch, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research, 516 Capen Hall (645-3321).

REVIEW PROCESS

Ad hoc review panels will be assembled consisting of UB faculty from various disciplines. Members will be chosen for their breadth and depth of scholarship. Each review panel will be appointed by the Vice President for Research.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Anniversary reports are required for all grants. For planning grants, this report should detail the group's activities, participants, issue explored and resulting outcomes (e.g. grants submitted/awarded, publications, conference held). For research/creative activities grants, these reports should detail results, external grants submitted and outcomes of grant applications. Reports are to be submitted to the Associate Vice President for Research.