Faculty Large and Small Grant Programs


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Guidelines and Application

Small Grant electronic application deadline: ongoing
Large Grant electronic application deadline: September 30, 2008 - 4:30p.m.

Program Goal. The fundamental goal of Council programs is to help faculty in all disciplines move into a better position to apply for and receive extramural funding for their research and scholarly activities. Recipients of Council awards are expected to be actively engaged in submitting proposals to extramural sponsors. The applicant's record of extramural funding and relevant scholarly productivity will be considered as factors in judging the applicant's qualifications.

Council Priorities.The Council's over-riding concern is to fund proposals of high scholarly merit. It encourages proposals for research projects in all areas, and for a wide variety of purposes, but is especially interested in funding "pilot" or "seed money" grants, including proposals from newly-appointed faculty members who need initial support to begin a research program at the University; and proposals from established investigators who wish to change research direction or obtain pilot data. The Council also supports sabbatic leave proposals and proposals for interim "bridge" funding where previous support has not been renewed, where application for renewal or for alternative extramural funding has been filed, and where lack of funds would seriously hamper the established research project. Proposals are peer reviewed within disciplinary review panels and supplemented by ad hoc reviewers only when additional expertise is needed.

Eligibility.Tenured or Tenure-Track faculty members including: Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Full Professors. In addition, Associate or Full Professors in Residence and Associate or Full Research Professors may apply.

Categories of Support.

    Large Grants (requests more than $1,500) Requests may be made for research assistant (primarily Graduate Assistants and student labor), equipment, supplies, travel, per diem and contractual services related to the research. Matching funds are strongly recommended, although not required, when the cost of the equipment exceeds $5,000. Junior faculty members (assistant professors) who are within the first two years of appointment to the University may apply for a Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship as part of the research grant; eligible faculty may receive only one award of this type. Also, under certain conditions investigators may apply for a maximum 50% post-doctoral package.

    Large grant funds will not cover faculty salaries or service contracts on equipment; these costs cannot be funded by any of the Research Council’s programs. Other ineligible expenses include publication charges and reprint charges (which are partially supported via the Departmental Research Allocations) or expenses for travel to meetings of professional societies to present research results (which are partially supported via the Faculty Travel program).

    Small Grants (requests up to $1,500) As with Large Grants, the fundamental goal of the small grant program is to help faculty move into a better position to apply for and receive extramural funding. Accordingly, recipients of Council awards are expected to be actively engaged in submitting proposals to appropriate extramural sponsors. To this end, Faculty may apply for small start-up projects, pilot projects to obtain preliminary data for extramural funding agencies, and small projects designed to test new procedures and/or methodologies. Faculty may also apply for limited support for sabbatical projects, as well as limited support to bring book-length research manuscripts to final publication (e.g., copy-editing; book indexing; permission fees for photographs and illustrations; preparation of illustrations). Faculty in the humanities and in the visual and performing arts may apply for small creative, scholarly projects, e.g., preparation of materials for a gallery show; library research leading to a book or monograph. In addition, small supplements to an active Research Council grant may be requested if a research project develops in an unexpected way and it becomes necessary to follow a new direction or to overcome unanticipated obstacles.

Funding Period. Large and Small grants are awarded for a maximum one year period. It is the Council's expectation that the funds are to be spent according to the proposed budget within a one-year time frame. However, the Council understands that delays and unexpected events do happen and will allow requests to extend the grant for up to one additional year. At the end of the two-year period, accounts will be closed. No cost extensions can be requested using the No Cost Extension Form.

Deadlines. Requests of $1,500 or less are considered SMALL GRANTS and may be submitted at any time. Requests of $1,500 or more are considered LARGE GRANTS, and may be submitted only twice a year to the peer-reviewed grant competitions. Deadlines are as follows:
Fall 2008: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 (anticipated);
Spring 2009: Wednesday, February 4, 2009.

Electronic Proposal Submission. Submit as a single .pdf file (preferred) to larisa.hull@uconn.edu. As of July 1, 2007, paper applications will no longer be processed.

Resubmitting a large grant proposal. You must take into account the reviewers' comments on your original submission when you prepare your resubmission. These comments, whether you agree with them or not, guided the Council and must be addressed. When you resubmit, attach a cover letter that summarizes the changes you made and tells the reviewers where to look for those changes. The deadline for resubmitted proposals is the same as for other large grants.

Proposal Cover Sheet. The same proposal cover sheet is used for both large and small grants.

Specific Instructions: Faculty Large and Small Grant Proposal Submission

Proposal Format. The proposal format is flexible. Complete sections 8 - 16 (sections 1 - 7 are listed on the proposal cover sheet) on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper, using a 12 pt. font and appropriate margins, referring to each section as indicated. Pages may be single-spaced. Number the pages sequentially to follow the proposal cover sheet.

1. - 7. Complete the proposal cover sheet. This is the only University form that must be submitted as part of your proposal. Additional information for item 7 is given below.

7. Review Panel Assignment (For Large Grant Use Only). The council assigns the proposal to one of five standing review panels representing each of five research areas (life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, humanities and fine arts, and engineering). The assignment is based on the applicant's academic department.

  1. Life Sciences - generally includes proposals from faculty in the Schools of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Pharmacy or from those in the three Biology departments, Marine Science and the Neuroscience area of Psychology
  2. Physical Sciences - generally includes proposals from faculty from those in Chemistry, Geography, Geology and Geophysics, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics
  3. Social Sciences - generally includes proposals from faculty in the Schools of Allied Health, Business, Education, Family Studies, Nursing, Social Work or from those in Agriculture and Resource Economics, Anthropology, Communications Science, Economics, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology
  4. Humanities/Fine Arts - generally includes proposals from faculty in the School of Fine Arts or from those in English, History, Modern and Classical Languages and Philosophy
  5. Engineering – generally includes proposals from faculty in the School of Engineering.

The Council recognizes that some proposals may fall into two or more research areas. Indicate on the signature cover page the research areas covered by your proposal. Keep in mind that the membership of each review panel will be drawn from academic departments that correspond to a particular research area.

8. Projects requiring IRB (Institutional Review Board), IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) or IBC (Institutional Biosafety Committee) review, must have committee approval on or before the proposal award date. For information on whether your project requires review, please refer to the websites: IRB (use of human subjects); IACUC (use of animal subjects); IBC (rDNA and Biosafety). If you already have approval, please submit a copy of the approval letter with your proposal and note, in item 8, that you have been given approval. Proposals with approval pending will be entered into the competition; however, funds will not be released until final approval is granted. If approval is pending, please note “approval pending” in item 8. Proposals without this information will be returned.

9. Project Abstract. Succinctly state the objectives, methods to be employed, whether human or animal subjects will be used, and the significance of the proposed activity to the advancement of knowledge. The abstract should be informative to other persons working in the same or related fields and largely understandable to a lay reader.

10. Proposed Budget. Provide specifics and details with appropriate justification. Refer to the Budget Preparation Instructions noted below. If you are requesting equipment, note that although matching funds are not required, such matches are strongly recommended when the cost of the equipment exceeds $5,000. It is important that you justify each item of the budget. For example, if you budget for a graduate assistant you must include more information than just listing the student's salary. Include the student's name, if known. Also, be sure to list the student's duties in relation to the research proposal. In fact, it is generally a good idea to define the duties of all key personnel named in the proposal. Use the budget format below, or one similar, when preparing your budget.

BUDGET CATEGORY,
SPECIFIC ITEM AND DETAILS      AMOUNT      JUSTIFICATION

11. Extramural Support. Include information on extramural research proposal activities for the last FIVE YEARS in this section. The Research Council is interested in obtaining a picture of your efforts, whether successful or not, to secure funding from external sponsors, and the relationship between those efforts and your previous awards from the Council. Recipients of Research Council awards are expected to be actively engaged in submitting proposals to extramural sponsors. If you have NEVER applied for or received extramural support, you must provide an explanation. In addition, if you are a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on a project be sure to list the Principal Investigator (PI), the total budget for the project and the total budget for your part of the project. Pending and rejected proposals are important - be sure to list them. Note that "N/A" or "None" is not an acceptable answer. If you have not applied for extramural funding an explanation is required. If you leave this section blank, your application will be returned.

For each extramural support entry provide the following information; use the headings as listed:
PROJECT TITLE
PI/Co-PI (indicate whether you are a PI or Co-PI)
EXTRAMURAL SPONSOR
PROJECT PERIOD
DIRECT COSTS (If Co-PI, list total project costs and the costs for your portion)
STATUS (i.e., currently active, closed, pending, rejected)
OVERLAP WITH RESEARCH COUNCIL REQUEST? (Important, please explain)

12. Intramural Support, including previous awards from the Research Council. Include information on intramural research proposal activities for the last FIVE Years in this section. "Intramural support" is defined as support from all University of Connecticut research sources, including the Research Advisory Council, Agricultural Experiment Station, Hatch Awards through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University Cost Centers and Specialized Service Facilities, Connecticut Sea Grant Program, National Undersea Research Center (NURC), Institute of Water Resources (IWR), the Critical Technologies Program, etc. The Research Council is particularly interested in obtaining a picture of Council awards you have received, and the results of those awards in terms of publications, subsequent extramural funding, etc. In addition, if you are a Co-PI on a project be sure to list the PI, the total budget for the project and the total budget for your part of the project. Pending and rejected proposals are important - be sure to list them. Note that "N/A" or "None" is not an acceptable answer. If this is the first application for such support, words to this effect must be stated. If you leave this section blank, your application will be returned.

For each internal support entry provide the following information, using the headings as listed:
PROJECT TITLE
PI/Co-PI (indicate whether you are a PI or Co-PI)
INTRAMURAL SPONSOR
PROJECT PERIOD
DIRECT COSTS (If Co-PI, list total project costs and the costs for your portion)
STATUS OF PROJECT (i.e., currently active, closed, pending, rejected)
REPORT ON USE OF FUNDS (Important, If you have previously received funding from the Research Foundation, enclose a final report and list the extramural award applications and publications/presentations that are a direct result of the previous internal funding.)

13. Proposed Research (Narrative). Do not exceed three (3) pages for a Small Grant and five (5) pages for a Large Grant for this section; proposals with longer narratives are counterproductive and will be returned to the applicants. Use the headings suggested below to organize the narrative. Describe the proposed research project in enough detail to enable peer review. It is recommended that applicants write their proposals for a more general audience of reviewers drawn from their general area but who are not necessarily experts on the proposed research problem. Be sure to carefully link the project to the proposed time period and budget of your Research Council request; do not simply attach a narrative from a larger, longer extramural proposal. Use English only and avoid jargon. For acronyms not universally known, spell out the term the first time it is used.

  • Introduction. Clearly state the project to be undertaken, the background of the work, with literature references as necessary, and the rationale of the project as you wish to pursue it.
  • Methodology. Give details of the research plan, a statement of procedure consistent with the presentation in the Introduction.
  • Significance of the Research (Important). Describe the significance of this project to the field as a whole, emphasizing the potential importance of anticipated contributions. Explain how this proposal will help you move into a better position to apply for and receive extramural funding for your research and scholarly activities - be specific and identify potential sources for extramural funding. Explain the expected outcome of the research by telling us how you plan to disseminate your findings - by publishing in a scholarly journal, presenting at a meeting, showing at an exhibit, demonstrating at a recital, etc.

14. References. Please list the references used in your study in a style that is appropriate for your field.

15. Two-Page Curriculum Vitae. Attach a two page version of your professional summary, including your most recent publications or publications most relevant to the work proposed.

16. Appendices (Optional). Most proposals will not require appendices. Such additional material is needed only when it is truly essential for adequate peer review of the proposal, e.g., subject questionnaire, price quotation on major items of equipment, letter(s) of invitation to a sabbatical research site, or comments of peer review groups or federal agencies. Although there is no page limit on appendices, it is counterproductive to append lengthy material.

For investigators who are applying for bridge funding, the Council recommends that investigators enclose written critiques from extramural funding agencies with the proposal submission. Short of this, the review score or percentage would be most helpful in the review process. This information would be considered confidential to the individuals involved in the review.

Budget Preparation Instructions.

Proposed Budget. Details and Justification -- may include any combination of items in the categories listed below. Requests up to and including $1,500 are considered Small Grants, and there is no deadline. Requests over $1,500 are Large Grants and must be routed through one of the semi-annual competitions for peer review.

10a. Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship. Junior faculty members who are within the first two years of appointment to the University, AND who hold a rank no higher than Assistant Professor, may apply for a Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship ($3,000 plus fringe) in support of summer work on the proposed research project. Eligible faculty members may receive only one award of this type. For salary and fringe benefits please click here.

10b. Research Personnel (Salary, Wages, and Fringe Benefits). Funds may be requested to support personnel who are essential for conducting the research project, commonly Graduate Research Assistants and Student Labor. You must list the specific duties of the individual(s) to be hired; DO NOT list vague phrases such as "conducting the research." Occasionally, funds for consultants or other off-campus assistance needed to perform special tasks may be needed, but must be carefully justified. Under certain circumstances up to 50% of the salary/fringe benefit package of a postdoctoral fellow may be requested (see below). Other personnel needs, e.g., technicians, research assistants and associates, are generally not eligible for support unless needed on a short-term basis as part of an interim "bridge" funding request.

Graduate Research Assistantships. If the project requires a greater level of expertise than hourly student labor, you may request funds for a graduate research assistantship. The maximum summer salary you may request from the Research Foundation for a graduate student, at all levels, is $2,000. Be sure to add in fringe benefits. For current salary and fringe benefit rates please click here

Student Labor. Student labor is paid on an hourly basis (approximately $7.65 to $25/hour), plus fringe benefits. For current salary and fringe benefit rates please click here

Consultants and Other Off-campus Assistance. Individuals who are not on the regular state payroll may be hired to perform special research-related tasks as needed. Such individuals are paid on an hourly basis, usually via Special Payroll.

Postdoctoral Fellows. In general, the Council expects that the salary/fringe benefit packages for a postdoctoral fellow will derive from sources external to the University, and will not be requested from the Research Foundation. Under certain circumstances, however, the Council will consider requests for up to 50% of the total salary/fringe package of a postdoctoral fellow. The Council funding is customarily limited to a maximum of 6 months support for a give fellow or project, i.e., half of one-year appointment. The match must normally run concurrently with the matching extramural award and cannot be used as an extramural grant extension.

Requests must meet the following criteria: The project must be of a pilot nature and evidence must be provided that the cost-sharing by the Council will materially enhance the likelihood of future funding the proposed research area. The remaining 50% for the postdoctoral salary/fringe benefit package must be in place as shown by inclusion of the University FRS number of the funded extramural account(s).

Salary and Fringe Benefits. For current salary and fringe benefit rates please click here

10c. Equipment. Specify each item, list cost, and carefully justify in terms of the proposed project. For major items, attach a price quotation from the vendor. Matching funds are strongly recommended when the cost of the equipment exceeds $5,000. In cases where the same or similar equipment is already available on campus, you must include a discussion concerning accessibility and/or need for additional units. New faculty members should briefly explain the relationship of "start-up" money to this application. Computer equipment and software must be justified in terms of need for conducting the research, as opposed to ordinary word-processing.

10d. Supplies. Specify supplies necessary for the research, list costs and justify each item or group of items.

10e. Animals and Animal Care. Specify type of animal(s) to be used in the project, and the cost per animal. Be sure to include the new animal care per diem charges and attach a copy of the approved IRB-1 or IACUC-1 form. Visit the Animal Care website for more information http://www.oars.uconn.edu.

10f. Domestic and Foreign Travel (Transportation and Per Diem). Include only travel that is necessary to conduct the research, NOT travel to present the results of research, or travel to explore future funding opportunities. Describe the relationship of the travel to the project and provide details such as method of transportation, destination(s), airfare, number of trips to each destination(s). Per diem -- food and lodging -- may be included. Generally, you should request per diem according to the following schedule: no more than $750 for a research trip away from campus of 3 months or less; $750 for a half-year sabbatical; and $1,500 for a full-year sabbatical. Requests for amounts more than stated in the guidelines will be considered depending upon need and availability of funds. Contact Larisa Hull at (860) 486-6378 for more information.

10g. Contractual Costs. Include all fees and charges for specialized services, such as library access fees, laboratory analysis fees, consultant fees, subject fees, etc. Explain fully and justify.

The following Items cannot be requested: faculty, clerical or administrative personnel salaries, including personnel whose primary purpose is to explore funding sources and/or prepare grant applications; service/maintenance contracts on equipment; laboratory renovations, or other infrastructure renovations; institutional memberships in professional organizations; travel to professional meetings to present the results of the research; travel to explore extramural funding opportunities; costs associated with the publication of results of the research, including page charges and purchase of reprints.

Final Report. a two-page final report is required when the project is completed. The Research Foundation/Research Advisory Council is being much more vigilant in enforcing these requirements as is customary for most external funding agencies. Submission of the final report will be an important consideration in reviewing your future awards.