Research Development Program

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Research Development Program

• SFAs newest funding source for research

2
Where did this money come from?

• The program was created through HB 3526.
• Combines two funds into a single fund with a
  standard set of criteria for the distribution of
  resources, which will provide a more equitable
  method for awarding research dollars to
  institutions of higher education.

3
How much money has SFA received?

• The allocation of funds is based on restricted
  research expenditures that are reported to the
  Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• SFAs allocation for the FY06-07 biennium is
  543,182
• SFA was one of thirty-one schools that received
  funding
• Median funding amount was 530,642

4
What is the fund to be used for?

• The purpose of the fund is to provide funding
  to promote increased research capacity at
  eligible general academic teaching institutions.
  

5
Is RDP different from theSFA Faculty Research
Grants?

• YES!
• FRGs usually support projects that have a limited
  focus benefit a single PI, very specific topic,
  
• FRGs are limited to one fiscal year.
• RDP focuses on collaborative projects that
  include new, emerging, and innovative research
  and multidisciplinary collaboration with
  individuals or entities that increase the
  universitys ability to obtain outside funding.

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First Round of Awards Spring 2006

• Dr. Perky Beisel and Ms. Linda Reynolds History
  and Library Dr. Bobby Johnson Oral History
  Collection Archival Project
•  
• Dr. Alyx Frantzen and Dr. Michele Harris
  Chemistry Centrifuge Addition to the
  Department of Chemistry
•  
• Dr. Judith Lauter Human Services
• The Human Neuroscience Laboratory at SFA
  Expanding the Circle
• Dr. Chris Ninness and Mr. Michael Coffee Human
  Services and Forestry Developing and Deploying
  an On-line Statistical and Artificial Neural
  Network Server to Facilitate Innovative Research
  at SFASU
•  
• Dr. Shiyou Li and Dr. David Creech Forestry and
  Agriculture Identification of Antiviral
  Compounds from Native Pteriodosphytes of North
  America
•  
• Dr. Norman Markworth Physics and
  Astronomy The SFA Observatory in the New Age
•  
• Dr. Alexandra Van Kley and Dr. Tim Cherry
  Biotechnology and Agriculture
• Eimeria Quantification and Identification Assays

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How do you apply?

• Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis
• Two competitions each fiscal year.
• FY07 Deadline 2 December 15th
• Funds will need to be expended by August 31, 2007
• Multi-year proposals will be considered, but FY08
  funds will be contingent upon continued funding
  from the Legislature

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Eligibility and Conditions

• Any faculty member (rank of instructor or higher,
  research associate, or any professional
  librarian) is eligible to apply for a Research
  Development Program grant.
• Following are some general conditions for the
  award
• Applicants are limited to one internal grant in a
  single year.
• RDP funds may not be used to supplant funds for
  research activities or equipment supported by
  other sources. However, funds may be used for
  matching or cost-sharing.
• A research grant recipient must meet deadlines
  for deliverables as outlined in the approved
  proposal. Periodic and final reports are
  expected and are to be filed with ORSP.

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Evaluation Criteria

• Research Significance
• Formulation
• Feasibility
• Applicant's Research Record

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Research Significance

• The proposed project should enhance the research
  capacity of one or more departments and/or
  colleges and increase the Universitys ability to
  conduct more research in the area of interest.
• The proposed project should result in clearly
  defined deliverables consistent with the purpose
  of the Research Development Fund.
• The proposal should demonstrate how, once the
  project is completed, similar research projects
  in the same discipline can follow, including
  obtaining grant money from outside sources for
  further research.
• Evidence of the significance of the proposal may
  be shown by collaborations with colleagues,
  industry, other research or educational
  institutions, and/or matching from other funding
  sources.

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Formulation

• The applicant should request an adequate budget
  for the proposed research.
• The written proposal should follow the prescribed
  format as described in this document.
• The proposals research objectives should be
  clear, concise, and understandable.
• Proposals that request equipment for research
  should
• describe specific research activities to be
  conducted with the instrumentation
• provide a technical description of the
  instrumentation (manufacturer, model )
• justify the necessity and adequacy of the new
  instrumentation for the proposed research
  project(s), with reference to existing
  instruments
• specify how and by whom the requested
  instrumentation will be operated over the project
  period, including the technical expertise needed
  to maintain and operate the instrument with
  anticipated costs
• describe the facility in which the instrument
  will be housed.

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Formulation

• The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of
  research within the proposed area by discussing
  the findings of others who have made significant
  contributions in the area and cite any relevant
  literature.
• The proposal should clearly describe the proposed
  research procedures. The applicant should
  indicate that other professionals within the
  field will find the procedures acceptable.
• The proposal should clearly establish an adequate
  work schedule for the proposed project. A
  timeline and clearly defined deliverables must be
  outlined.

13
Feasibility

• Preliminary data if available and clearly defined
  objectives should demonstrate the likelihood of
  success of the proposed research.
• The applicant should be able to
• conduct the project within the proposed time
  period
• complete the project with the funding requested
  and
• complete the project with the available physical
  resources.

14
Research Record

• The applicants previous success in creative and
  scholarly activities should be presented clearly
  in the proposal.
• The applicant should list any previous research
  projects supported by a faculty research grant
  and/or external grant funds in the vita along
  with any presentations and publications resulting
  from previous internal or external funding.
• The applicant should emphasize his/her ability to
  successfully complete the proposal.

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Proposal Format and Guidelines

• Type or word-process the proposal on 8 ½ x
  11-inch white paper.
• Place the proposal sections in the following
  order
• Cover page
• Line item budget justification (no page limit
  single or double-spaced)
• Abstract (200 word limit)
• Narrative (includes objectives, literature
  review, project justification, procedures and
  work schedule) (Must be double-spaced, with 1
  margins on all sides - no more than 15 CPI.
  Limited to 10 or fewer double-spaced, one-sided
  pages. The narrative does not include cover
  page, line item budget justification, abstract,
  bibliography/references, appendices, and vita.)
• Bibliography/References (may be single-spaced)
• Appendices (if any) (may be single-spaced)
• Vita for each investigator (1 margins, single or
  double-spaced, max of 2 one-sided pages each)