Application Instructions:

Proposal Format:

Each proposal is limited to 14 pages of single spaced text including figures and tables (12 point font, 1 inch margin on all sides, with page numbers) but excluding references. A separate cover page (form is attached) should include the following information:

 

• Project title
• List of key personnel with corresponding email addresses and Banner identification numbers.
• Total proposed budget
• Proposed project dates and duration
• A maximum 50-word project summary in lay language
• Signatures of key personnel, department heads, deans, and directors.
• An electronic (pdf) copy, plus a hard copy, should be submitted to the dean's office.

 

I. Research Plan:

Provide a brief description of the federal agency, consortium, or private foundation program announcement or RFP to which the EFG will respond, and describe the research effort from which the EFG will be developed. Emphasize the roles of key personnel, the cutting-edge and interdisciplinary aspects of the project, and how they will be integrated or coordinated to establish a strong preliminary platform for the EFG. This section should include a description of the proposed research or creative activity, specific objectives, procedures and methods, and literature review in sufficient detail for reviewers to assess scholarly merit and relevance to the targeted external program announcement or RFP.

 

Major interdisciplinary initiatives often involve collaborations with outside institutions. If applicable, provide details on specific strengths institutional partners will bring toward future success of the proposed project and EFG.

 

• Education and Training Plan:

If the targeted program announcement or RFP has a major educational or training component, describe the ways in which these themes will be addressed in the EFG. If special methods of recruiting, retaining and educating students from underrepresented groups are envisioned, descriptions of these methods should also be outlined.



• Economic Development/Technology Commercialization:

If applicable, describe activities in the anticipated EFG that will involve industry partners or technology commercialization. This description should include brief descriptions of any industrial collaboration that will be fostered, and the potential for development of commercially viable intellectual property. Questions related to USU policy on industry partnerships or intellectual property should be addressed to the Technology and Commercialization Office at 797-9607.

 

II. Management Plan:

Interdisciplinary research programs require thorough management. Describe the strategies that will be used to manage the SPARC project and subsequent EFG, and provide a time line for major project activities. Include an organizational chart that illustrates reporting lines for each participant or entity (departments, colleges, etc). If the project involves collaborations with outside institutions, describe how those interactions will be managed. IMPORTANT NOTE: Funds from USU internal grants cannot be used to support research activities at other institutions. Funds may be used, however, to support USU faculty travel to partner institutions if this is necessary for project success.

 

III. Budget:

Provide a summary budget (please use the attached form) and justification. Each proposed SPARC expense must be fully justified, with an expectation that this expense will lead to enhanced potential for the EFG. Because interdisciplinary grants present unique challenges in proposal design and compilation, the VPR strongly encourages PI’s to use up to $2,000 of the award to secure the services of a professional grant writing team. The maximum award for PIs that choose not include a proposal development team on their project is $33,000. If the project will involve a professional grant writing team, the name of that service provider must be included in the budget form and justification.

 

Indicate what portion of the budget will be used to support faculty; students; postdoctoral researchers; to pay for supplies and equipment needed to generate preliminary data for the EFG; and to pay for travel to meet with collaborators or representatives of funding agencies. For faculty receiving 10 or fewer months of base support, one month of additional salary support plus benefits is allowed (salary funds are to be spread over the fiscal year in which the award is made). An explanation of any departmental or college contributions to the project must also be included. Finally, only if required by the agency, describe college/department commitments such as cost sharing, F&A restrictions, etc.

 

• Matching Commitments:

No specific commitment is required. However, one measure of the importance of this project is the extent to which other internal (or external) units are willing to commit funds to ensure the success of the EFG. Examples might include providing student help, travel or administrative support, and other expenses associated with proposal development.

 

IV. Appendices:

The following appendices are required:

 

1. Vita information (2-page maximum per person) for the PI, co-PIs, and any other key personnel.
2. Scope of work summaries for PI, co-PIs, and any other key personnel.
3. Letters of endorsement from each responsible unit head or director. This letter should also include any commitments of funds or other resources that unit will contribute to the project in order to promote success in preparation of the EFG.
4. Specific information related to the full program announcement or RFP(s) for the EFG to which a proposal will be developed and submitted, including the anticipated submission date. If a current version of the program announcement or RFP is not available, then the most recent published version should be provided, along with correspondence from a cognizant program director to indicate that a similar announcement will be issued in the near future.
5. Completed USU Conflict of Interest disclosure form (available here).
6. Identification of any Special Requirements (use attached form).
7. List of current and pending support for PI and co-PIs (use attached form).
8. One-page description of any current or pending projects that are related to the proposed seed grant project. This description must include an executive summary and list of specific objectives for the project.

 

More Information

If you need assistance in identifying specific EFGs suitable as targets for a SPARC proposal, please contact the USU Sponsored Programs Office, at 797-1226. For additional information on the SPARC program, please contact the Vice President for Research Office at 797-1199.