January 2010

Funding available to support faculty research

Executive Summary

Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University announce a funding opportunity of up to $60,000 to organize and host collaborative symposia focusing on major research topics. Topics can focus on life sciences, engineering, physical and/or social sciences with excellent potential for innovation and new research funding opportunities that span two or more URC institutions.

Background

In 2006 the Presidents of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University founded the University Research Corridor (URC) to accelerate economic growth in the State by educating students, supporting innovation, and encouraging the transfer of technology to the private sector. Under the premise that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, Michigan’s University Research Corridor was envisioned to work in partnership with organizations across the State in creating a vibrant Michigan economy. This partnership leverages the intellectual capital of its three public research universities, works proactively to attract the knowledge economy businesses that can utilize the research activity that feeds new enterprise, educate the workforce, and plant the seeds for the new industries of tomorrow.

To encourage more collaboration between faculty members at each of the three universities the URC is undertaking sponsorship of symposia on major research topics with the potential to lead to new research funding opportunities. The outcomes of the seed funding should include multiinstitutional teams of faculty engaged in the organization and hosting of symposia; and, new collaborations being formed to develop proposals to national funding agencies (or other funding sources) related to the Symposia topics.

Key Dates

The proposal and other required documentation is due by March 31, 2010. Proposal review will take place during April, 2010 with an anticipated start date for funding of May 1, 2010.

Funding Amount, Funding Period, and Approved Uses of Funding The URC has up to $60,000 in funding to support multiple proposals to allow for faculty to organize and host collaborative research symposia.

Funding Period: 12 to 24 months, starting on or around May 1, 2010

Grants can be used for any purpose except faculty salary.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are full-time (9 or 12 month) faculty at a URC institution.

Proposal Components

The application should include:

1. The proposal (maximum of 2 pages) should include the following: Title of the proposal, Symposium Chairs (and any co-Chairs), Introduction/Overview/Background, Goals and anticipated outcomes of the Symposium, anticipated audience/participation.
2. A one-page budget categorized by personnel, materials and supplies, fees (facility, honorarium, etc.) and travel, along with justification for expenses.
3. A copy of the current bio sketches of each Symposium Chair/co-Chair cannot exceed a total of 4 pages.

Reporting

A summary of the Symposium (and outcomes) will be reported within 60 days of the conclusion of the event. The reports should include not only the details of the Symposium (including attendance) but also collaborations that were created from of the event as well as funding proposals submitted (or anticipated to be submitted) as a result of the Symposium.

Applications should be submitted electronically to Lynne Small (lynnesmall@urcmich.org) in a single PDF file by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

Please direct any questions to Jeff Mason jeffmason@urcmich.org (517) 999-4007.

A multi-university committee will review the proposals and award announcements will be made on or around May 1, 2010.