VPR RESEARCH CATALYST (RC) SEED GRANT PROGRAM

Program synopsis

The Vice President for Research (VPR) is soliciting internal proposals for the Research Catalyst (RC) Program. This program provides 1-year seed funding of up to $20,000 to help applicants develop new initiatives or directions in their discipline that will lead to new externally funded grants (EFGs). The purpose of this program is to build the University’s research capability and increase extramural funding for scholarly activities from government agencies and private sources. Thus, it is required that funded RC projects will directly lead to the submission of at least one proposal to an external funding agency. Proposals that have already been submitted to an extramural agency, or those already reviewed and found to be non-competitive by an extramural agency, are not eligible for consideration of RC funding.

Eligibility:

All tenured or tenure-eligible faculty, research faculty, or other USU research professionals are eligible to apply. If an application is turned down by the review panel, PIs are allowed one re-submission of a revised proposal on the same subject in the next grant cycle. Revised proposals must indicate changes from the previous proposal.

If an RC application is funded, the PI is not eligible to compete for another RC grant for three years from the start date of the successful proposal.

Evaluation Criteria:

All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of faculty and administrators. In evaluating the proposals, the greatest consideration will be given to projects that are most likely to extend the University’s research capability and increase extramural funding for scholarly activities from government agencies and private sources. Thus, successful proposals will primarily be weighed according to the following criteria:

1. Scholarly merit and relevance to the targeted external program announcement or RFP.
2. Strength of project investigator’s expertise, resources, and research record as it relates to the project and the targeted external program announcement or RFP.
3. Effectiveness of the research plan in addressing specific issues that must be resolved to develop a competitive EFG proposal.
4. Probability that the program will attract new extramural funding, and the level of F&A costs allowed by the targeted external program announcement or request for proposals (RFP).

Additionally, it may be advantageous for projects to consider many, but not necessarily all, of the following issues:

• Potential to establish long-term, multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary research collaborations.
• Potential for the project to gain national and international recognition.
• Support for enhanced graduate and undergraduate education at USU.
• Potential to build Utah’s economy through new intellectual property or industry sponsored research.

Reporting Requirement:

As a final report within three months of completion of the project, grantees must produce and submit a new proposal for extramural funding directly facilitated by the RC award. If funding is not awarded for the EFG, the PI will provide the VPR Office with reviewer comments as well as a written plan for future resubmission. PIs who do not meet these requirements will be ineligible for future VPR funding of any type until they are realized.