To support faculty research, the College of Arts & Sciences has initiated two research incentive programs, the A&S Research Advance Program, which is directed at mid-career faculty, and the A&S Resources & Tools Program, which will support travel to collections and the purchase of research tools and materials. The College will accept an initial round of applications at the beginning of Spring 2012 term. 

 

A&S Research Advance Program 

Objective 

The objective of the Research Advance Program is to support new diretions for research by mid-career faculty in a mentoring relationship with an active researcher. The funding specifically supports faculty development and mentoring activity and the primary outcome is a grant proposal submitted to a federal funding agency. Participants will develop a new federal research grant application in collaboration with a research-active mentor; the supported activity is expected to be the top research priority of the participants and to be a new line of research. A letter of intent must be submitted at the end of the supported activity period; the proposal/grant application must be completed and submitted within 12 months and should include full indirect costs, salary funding, and graduate research assistant support as negotiated with the unit chair and consistent with programmatic requirements of the funding agency.   

Eligibility 

Tenured faculty members are eligible to apply and may be nominated by department chairs. Applicants are required to arrange their mentor, and to  provide a rationale for the new research activity.   

Budget 

Successful applicants may receive up to $8,000 in direct expenses; mentors may receive up to $4000 in direct expenses. Direct expenses may include academic year buyouts at the full buyout rate, summer salary, or research expenses. Additional funding may be requested for funding agency visits.   

Applications will be accepted by the College beginning January 15 and will remain open until February 1, 2012. Application Guidelines will be posted online.

A&S Resources & Tools Awards 

Objective 

The objective of the Research Resources Program is to support access to, upgrade, repair, or acquire material items necessary for research and scholarship—including access to source materials or acquisition of special collections for research projects (maximum award $7500). For travel to or acquisition of special collections, priority will be given to those projects that have secured extramural support. Instrument upgrade or repair, or instrument purchase will also be considered. Highest priority will be given to shared or shareable resources.  

Eligibility 

Full-time faculty members are eligible to apply.  

Budget 

Maximum award is $7500. Awards may be used as matching funds on extramural proposals. Travel expenses permitted only if travel is directly associated with the use or acquisition of the resource.  

Applications will be accepted by the College during the first 4 weeks of Fall and Spring semesters, with 2 awards in each term. Application Guidelines will be posted online.