A new online FAQ and a couple of upcoming forums should prove useful to those seeking funding through the new Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research.
The FAQ provides details on the initiative to support new, large-scale interdisciplinary research programs and the application process.
At the forums, this week and next, several university officials will be on hand to answer questions. Forums are scheduled for:
- Thursday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-noon, 207 Marston
- Friday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-noon, Campanile Room, Memorial Union
Among officials attending the forums are senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert, vice president for research and economic development Sharron Quisenberry, associate vice president Miles Lackey, senior policy adviser to the president Tahira Hira and animal science professor and Office of Biotechnology director James Reecy.
Through the initiative, up to three teams will receive pursuit funding to be used in preparing larger-scale research funding proposals. Each winning team will receive up to $500,000 annually for three years.
The initiative also includes a smaller, proof-of-concept program providing pursuit funds for emerging research areas that are more limited in scope or have a higher risk. Funding grants of $50,000 to $100,000 could be awarded to help up to three teams secure collaborative research grants.
The first step in applying for these grants is to submit white papers by Dec. 1. From the white paper submissions, some teams will be invited to prepare full proposals by Feb. 1, 2013. Final awards will be announced by March 1.
Leading the review process will be the President's Committee for Institutional Excellence, with assistance from subject experts in industry, higher education and government laboratories.
Documents and forms on the initiative are linked from the FAQ site.
