Policy on Funding Interdisciplinary Research Centers

Policy on Funding Interdisciplinary Research Centers

Academic, discipline-based departments have been and will continue to be the primary units for carrying out the missions of the University. However, UB Interdisciplinary Research Centers provide an important means to develop innovative programs that will keep the University on the forefront as a research institution. They are usually created based on faculty interest or in response to external funding opportunities. Research Centers are not intended to have an indefinite institutional life. Typically, Research Centers form to address specific issues or problems and then cease activities when the objectives are met or when the center can no longer address the original objectives.

This policy establishes procedures for the funding of UB Interdisciplinary Research Centers through the Office of the Vice President for Research that a) plan to receive University support; b) whose members span at least two schools; and, c) have research as their primary mission. Centers and Institutes that report to the Provost are excluded from this policy.


APPROVAL PROCESS FOR FUNDING BY THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH (OVPR)

Proposals for funding UB Research Centers will be reviewed by the Vice President for Research (VPR) on advice from the Deans, UB faculty and other experts. The VPR may approve the funding of the centers or recommend changes in the name, scope or other aspects of the proposed centers. The proposal will contain information about the organization, administration and governance structure and include:

  • Executive summary
  • Mission statement
  • Background - including existing efforts and faculty involved
  • Description of proposed program
  • Potential for Revenue Generation (eg training grants, clinical/service income, private and corporate donations etc.)
  • Resources available/pending (space, equipment, administrative support, cash)
  • Requested funds
  • Budget/Resource Justification for years 1-3
  • Strategic Plan/Timeline
  • Goals and Benchmark for progress
  • Statements of support from relevant department head, and deans

New UB Research Centers will be initially funded for a 3-year period. Centers will be assigned a designated administrator (eg Dean, Assoc. Dean for Research or senior member of OVPR staff) responsible for allocating resources to the Center and ensuring its success. Annual reviews will be conducted by the designated administrator to determine the Centers attainment of goals and benchmarks as well as meeting objectives for generating external funding to become self-supporting. The designated administrator will provide a written evaluation to the Center director and the VP for Research. Continuing support after 3 years will be rare, but may be awarded to Centers showing significant growth in their external funding support.


OPERATING A FUNDED RESEARCH

Once a UB Research Center is approved for funding, the operating guidelines outlined in the proposal should be approved by the Center members and the designated administrator. The Guidelines should include:

  • Rules of internal governance
  • Membership criteria
  • Identification of an external advisory group

The Office of the Vice President for Research will then allocate resources to the Center Director for support of its research programs.


REQUEST BY EXISTING UB RESEARCH CENTERS FOR CONTINUING SUPPORT

The University at Buffalo, like other Universities, has severe resource limitations. Therefore, difficult choices have to be made in funding of Centers. Moreover, Centers are not intended to have an indefinite institutional life. Existing UB Centers (including so-termed "ORU's") which currently receive funding from the OVPR will undergo an internal review in the spring of 2002.

The review will consist of two phases. Phase I will involve a review of a written status report submitted by the Center director. The Status report should contain the following information:

  • Mission statement
  • Background - including existing efforts and faculty involved
  • External Funding record and planned funding proposals
  • Current Resources used (space, equipment, administrative support, cash)
  • Goals and benchmarks for future progress
  • Internal funds requested for next fiscal year

This document will be reviewed by ad hoc advisors contacted by the VP for Research. In Phase II the Center Director and participating faculty will make an oral presentation to the VP for Research highlighting their missions, goals, external funding and progress. The VP for Research will submit a written evaluation of the center to the Centers Director. Included in the evaluation will be a recommendation to continue or phase-out funding for the Center. The final decision of whether to continue funding a UB Research Center will be made jointly by the involved Deans, the VP for Research and the Provost.