UNO's Internal Grant Program
Tenured or tenure-track faculty and retained instructors can apply for the Office of Research's internal grant programs which are reviewed and ranked by the Research Council. Eligible UNO faculty and research employees are encouraged to apply for one of these awards as a means of honing their grant-making skills and developing new areas of research or scholarly endeavors.
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Eligibility & Restrictions
Who is eligible?
- All tenure and tenure-track faculty.
- Non-tenure-track full-time research employees whose job descriptions include seeking external funds as a principal investigator (e.g. Research Professor, Research Associate, etc.)
Restrictions
- An eligible PI may serve as a PI or Co-PI on a maximum of one Office of Research award, including startup and internal grants on a no-cost extension.
- If you are a PI on an existing Office of Research award on the submission deadline, then you have met the one grant maximum and are not eligible to apply for another Office of Research award.
- Travel grants to meet program officers, LEEP proposals, and ABROAD proposals are exceptions. These proposals can be submitted even if you are a PI or a Co-PI on an existing Office of Research award.
- PIs who are delinquent in submitting reports or deliverables for prior Office of Research awards are precluded from submitting a proposal.
For information about undergraduate student funding opportunities, visit the Center for Undergraduate Research & Creativity's website.
| 2019-2020 Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Proposal Announcement to Campus | August 14, 2019 |
Deadline for Routing Form & Proposal Documents |
December 6, 2019 |
| Review by the Research Council | December/January |
| Announce Awardees at ARCS | March 18, 2020 |
Programs
Creative Endeavor Opportunity (CEO)
Budget Cap: $10,000
FY-20 Deadline: December 6, 2019
The goal is to provide support for faculty to launch programs of research, scholarship, exhibition, or performance that will ultimately result in increased research and creative activity on campus.
How to Apply
-
Submission Instructions
- Open and save the Internal Grant Program Application.
- Complete your proposal. Your proposal must follow the format given in the IGP Application. Please include the current payroll benefits for appropriate salary lines.
- Sign the IGP Application. A typed signature is acceptable.
- Fill out the UNO Routing Form.
- Attach your proposal and budget as indicated.
- Complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement.
- Electronically sign the routing form; click "Submit."
- You will be prompted to enter the email address of your Chair, and then the form will automatically forward your proposal to your Chair.
-
Proposal Format & Contents
Cover Page
The required cover page format is enclosed in the IGP Application. Each item on the cover page must be completed. The cover page MUST appear on the top (the first page) of the application.
Project Summary
The project summary may contain a maximum of 250 words and must be provided in the format supplied in the IGP Application. It should be a concise description of the project, containing a clear statement of objectives and an outline indicating how the project will operate to achieve its goals. The project summary should also explain concisely why and how the proposed project has strong potential to meet the objectives of the subprogram under which it was submitted.
Table of Contents
List all sections and subsections of the proposal, including appendices.
Goals & Objectives
The final goal to be reached by the end of the grant period must be clearly specified. Major changes in research/scholarly/creative programs and/or relevant personnel that can be expected when these goals are achieved must be described. This section of the proposal must be no longer than the equivalent of one, single-spaced, typewritten page.
The Interim and Final Report should state the progress made on the goals and objectives during the lifetime of the award as outlined in the proposal.
Narrative & Bibliography
The narrative must not exceed six (6) single-spaced pages with a type size of 12 point or greater. Pages must have 1-inch margins and be numbered. Reviewers are not required to read additional narrative pages. Information applicable in several places may be referenced by page and paragraph. The narrative should conform to the following outline, including all major sections and subsections. If an item does not apply to the project, include the appropriate heading followed by "Does not apply." Proposal reviewers will assign points based on the quality and specificity of each section.
NOTE: The six (6) page limit identified for the narrative does not include the bibliography. The bibliography shall not exceed two (2) pages.
- Rationale of the Project
CEO proposals must include:- Likely impact on the faculty member's discipline.
- Contribution of the project to the faculty member’s development as a researcher, teacher, artist, and/or scholar.
- Likely impact of the project on the quality of the University (e.g. reputation, student or faculty recruiting or retention, capabilities).
- Project Plan
CEO proposals must:- Briefly summarize the expected significance, methods, limitations, and relationship of the study to the present state of knowledge in the field and to comparable work in progress elsewhere.
- Provide a schedule of proposed activities within the grant period with benchmarks.
- Include performance measures. Indicate how the Office of Research will determine whether your project has been a success and the degree to which it has achieved its goals.
- Include plans for publications, dissemination, and/or external grant proposals along with a description of how the level of scholarly activity achieved during the period of the grant would be maintained after IGP financing ends.
- Involvement and Qualifications of Investigators, Other Faculty, and Students
Qualifications of scholars/investigators to undertake the proposed project should be indicated. A brief statement should be included that describes the responsibilities of each person involved, the amount of time/effort each person will devote to the project, whether release time will be given and, if so, the amount, type, and duration of release time. In particular, CEO proposals must clearly identify the role of, and salary request for, any senior personnel. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral appointments, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified. - Institutional Capabilities and Commitment
Institutional capabilities and commitment with respect to the proposed project must be described, including available facilities especially adapted or suited to the proposed project. - Bibliography
Budget & Budget Narrative
Format
A completed budget must be submitted using the Office of Research budget template. A justification page(s) must be attached to the budget page(s) which fully explains every item for which the expenditure of IGP money is proposed.
Project Activation Date and Anticipated Date of Completion
- Activation Date: July 1
- Completion Date: June 30
- Interim Progress Report Due: January 1
- Final Progress Report Due: July 30
Disallowed Budgetary Items
CEO funds may not be used to support regular, ongoing operating costs of existing or proposed programs, entities, or projects. The scope of the program also does not permit: (1) purchase of office furniture or routine office equipment (e.g., Fax machines); (2) construction of facilities; (3) maintenance of equipment; (4) routine renovation, expansion in size, or upgrading; (5) paying faculty to train other faculty; (6) similarly, the payment of honoraria to faculty; or (7) memberships and subscriptions. Support may not be requested for shortfalls or deficits in budgets; scholarships or tuition for student workers; augmentation of salaries of individuals pursuing regularly assigned duties; or unspecified contingencies. Finally, funds may not be requested for proposed centers or institutes. Potential applicants should note that funds may be requested for foreign travel. If the project is funded, however, permission for foreign travel must be obtained following University regulations, as stipulated in the State General Travel Regulations.
Funds for Principal Investigators and Support Personnel
Principal Investigator(s) may request partial salary support at an annual amount not to exceed one month of regular salary support. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified, and the budget must clearly show the percentage of time they will be involved and the rate of pay. Employee payroll benefits must be included in direct costs for all non-student employees.
Equipment
The IGP is not an equipment grant program. Equipment may be requested only in the context of the particular research initiative proposed.
Facility & Administrative (F&A) Costs
The budget template spreadsheet will automatically add F&A costs to the total of requested expenses. These funds will be in excess of the direct costs requested and will only be available for paying F&A costs. No Principal Investigator Enhancement (PIE) fund distribution will accrue on internal grants (no return to PI, department, college, institute, or any other unit).
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches for all key personnel are limited to two (2) pages and must use the form provided in the IGP Application.
Proposal Appendix
Supplemental Information
Essential material supplementary to the text of the proposal should be included in a single appendix. The appendix must be referenced in the proposal narrative, and under no circumstances may the total page count for all materials exceed ten (10) pages. It is inappropriate to include institutional catalogues, departmental curricula, publications, video tapes, computer diskettes, other non-print items, or general material.
Attachments
All general supporting materials (e.g., charts, photos) to which reference is made in the narrative section must be clearly marked and included in this section.
Letters of Support
Letters of support should NOT be included.
- Rationale of the Project
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Acknowledgements/Reporting
In acceptance of this award you are acknowledging the following:
- Interim and Final Report — An interim and final report will be submitted to inform us as to the outcome(s) and product(s) of the work. The report should be no more than one (1) page and should include deliverables such as CD published, chapter written, etc. based on the rationale of the proposal. Eligibility for future Office of Research IGP awards will be jeopardized if the report is not submitted. Continuation of grant funds will be contingent upon submission of an acceptable interim report and demonstration of project progress.
- Compliance — IRB and IACUC committee approved protocols must be submitted to the Office of Research, if applicable, before a speed key will be provided.
- InnovateUNO — The Office of Research hosts InnovateUNO, an annual symposium for all IGP awardees to present their findings. By applying for this program, you agree to participate in InnovateUNO in November.
Stimulating Competitive Research (SCoRe)
Traditional
Budget Cap: $15,000
FY-20 Deadline: December 6, 2019
The goal of the SCoRe award is to enhance the UNO faculty’s ability to successfully compete for extramural sponsored research funding.
The SCoRe award is intended as seed money for faculty to develop a new area of research activity, and it is expected that a SCoRE award will result in a proposal being submitted to an external funding agency. Funding priorities include: collection of preliminary data, planning and writing of grant proposals for external funding, maintenance of laboratory activities while preparing for a new area of research, and the purchase of research equipment.
As a rule, the SCoRe award will not be used for ongoing support of existing projects for which outside funding might reasonably be expected.
Funding can be requested for: graduate student support, undergraduate assistants, up to one month of PI regular salary (plus current payroll benefits rate), research supplies, travel, and scientific equipment.
How to Apply
-
Submission Instructions
- Open and save the Internal Grant Program Application.
- Complete your proposal. Your proposal must follow the format given in the IGP Application. Please include the current payroll benefits for appropriate salary lines.
- Use the External Proposal Plan Form on the last page of the application.
- Sign the IGP Application. A typed signature is acceptable.
- Fill out the UNO Routing Form.
- Attach your proposal and budget as indicated.
- Complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement.
- Electronically sign the routing form; click "Submit."
- You will be prompted to enter the email address of your Chair, and then the form will automatically forward your proposal to your Chair.
-
Proposal Format & Contents
Cover Page
The required cover page format is enclosed in the IGP Application. Each item on the cover page must be completed. The cover page MUST appear on the top (the first page) of the application.
Project Summary
The project summary may contain a maximum of 250 words and must be provided in the format supplied in the IGP Application. It should be a concise description of the project, containing a clear statement of objectives and an outline indicating how the project will operate to achieve its goals. The project summary should also explain concisely why and how the proposed project has strong potential to meet the objectives of the subprogram under which it was submitted.
Table of Contents
List all sections and subsections of the proposal, including appendices.
Goals & Objectives
The final goal to be reached by the end of the grant period must be clearly specified and must include specific external funding opportunities. Major changes in research programs and/or scientific personnel that can be expected when these goals are achieved must be described. This section of the proposal must be no longer than the equivalent of one, single-spaced, typewritten page.
List the program title(s) and the corresponding deadline for submission.
Proposals listing a specific federal funding opportunity or opportunities and an achievable deadline for proposal submission may be given preference. Proposals listing a specific state or private funding opportunity and an achievable deadline for proposal submission will be accepted.
- Inadequate Response: "I will apply for NSF funding." This may disqualify a proposal.
- Adequate Response: "One proposal I plan to apply for is NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) with an annual deadline of the second Wednesday in August."
Narrative & Bibliography
The narrative must not exceed five (5) single-spaced pages with a type size of 12 point or greater. Pages must have 1-inch margins and be numbered. Reviewers are not required to read additional narrative pages. Information applicable in several places may be referenced by page and paragraph. The narrative should conform to the following outline, including all major sections and subsections. If an item does not apply to the project, include the appropriate heading followed by "Does not apply." Proposal reviewers will assign points based on the quality and specificity of each section.
NOTE: The five (5) page limit identified for the narrative does not include the bibliography. The bibliography shall not exceed two (2) pages.
- Rationale of the Project
SCoRe proposals must include:- Assessment of potential for achieving national competitiveness, including current status and identification of barriers to achieving competitiveness.
- A plan for achieving national competitiveness, including the specific strategies, actions, methods, and additional resources proposed to accomplish the stated goals.
- If available, critiques of proposals submitted to Federal funding agencies (or other funding sources) should be appended to the proposal if they provide information that would help IGP reviewers assess either: (1) the potential competitive status of the applicant, in general; or (2) the potential competitive status of the same (or a very similar) proposal, in particular. IGP reviewers will be instructed to give additional consideration to those applicants and proposals for which such critiques indicate a high likelihood of success, contingent upon the applicant's overcoming certain barriers (e.g., collecting preliminary data).
- Project Plan
SCoRe proposals must:- Briefly summarize the expected significance, methods, limitations, and relationship of the study to the present state of knowledge in the field and to comparable work in progress elsewhere.
- Provide a schedule of proposed activities within the grant period with benchmarks.
- Include performance measures. Indicate how the Office of Research will determine whether your project has been a success and the degree to which it has achieved its goals.
- Include plans for external grant proposals and/or publications and a description of how the level of competitive research achieved during the period of the grant would be maintained after financing from the IGP ends.
- Involvement and Qualifications of Investigators, Other Faculty, and Students
Qualifications of investigators to undertake the proposed research should be indicated. A brief statement should be included that describes the responsibilities of each person involved, the amount of time/effort each person will devote to the project, whether release time will be given and, if so, the amount, type, and duration of release time. In particular, SCoRe proposals must clearly identify the role of, and salary request for, any senior personnel. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral appointments, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified. - Institutional Capabilities and Commitment
Institutional capabilities and commitment with respect to the proposed research must be described, including available facilities especially adapted or suited to the proposed project. - Bibliography
Budget & Budget Narrative
Format
A completed budget must be submitted using the Office of Research budget template. A justification page(s) must be attached to the budget page(s) which fully explains every item for which the expenditure of IGP money is proposed.
Project Activation Date and Anticipated Date of Completion
- Activation Date: July 1
- Completion Date: June 30
- Interim Progress Report Due: January 1
- Final Progress Report Due: July 31
Disallowed Budgetary Items
IGP money may not be used to support regular, ongoing operating costs of existing or proposed programs, entities, or projects. The scope of the program also does not permit: (1) purchase of office furniture or routine office equipment (e.g., Fax machines); (2) construction of facilities; (3) maintenance of equipment; (4) routine renovation, expansion in size, or upgrading; (5) paying faculty to train other faculty; (6) similarly, the payment of honoraria to faculty; or (7) memberships and subscriptions. Support may not be requested for shortfalls or deficits in budgets; scholarships or tuition for student workers; augmentation of salaries of individuals pursuing regularly assigned duties; or unspecified contingencies. Finally, funds may not be requested for proposed centers or institutes. Potential applicants should note that funds may be requested for foreign travel. If the project is funded, however, permission for foreign travel must be obtained following University regulations, as stipulated in the State General Travel Regulations.
Funds for Principal Investigators and Support Personnel
Principal Investigator(s) may request partial salary support at an annual amount not to exceed one month of regular salary support. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified, and the budget must clearly show the percentage of time they will be involved and the rate of pay. Employee payroll benefits must be included in direct costs for all non-student employees.
No-cost extensions granted by the Office of Research will not entitle principal or co-principal investigators to re-budget funds for additional salary support.
Equipment
The IGP is not an equipment grant program. Equipment may be requested only in the context of the particular research initiative proposed.
Facility & Administrative (F&A) Costs
The budget template spreadsheet will automatically add F&A costs to the total of requested expenses. These funds will be in excess of the direct costs requested and will only be available for paying F&A costs. No Principal Investigator Enhancement (PIE) fund distribution will accrue on internal grants (no return to PI, department, college, institute, or any other unit).
Current & Pending Support/History of Support
Applicants must complete the "Current & Pending Support" form included in the IGP Application.
If you previously received a UNO SCoRe award, the Office of Research will confirm if you submitted a proposal to an outside agency after your previous SCoRe award as required.
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches for all key personnel are limited to two (2) pages and must use the form provided in the IGP Application.
Proposal Appendix
Supplemental Information
Essential material supplementary to the text of the proposal should be included in a single appendix. The appendix must be referenced in the proposal narrative, and under no circumstances may the total page count for all materials exceed ten (10) pages. It is inappropriate to include institutional catalogues, departmental curricula, publications, video tapes, computer diskettes, other non-print items, or general material.
Attachments
All general supporting materials (e.g., charts, photos) to which reference is made in the narrative section must be clearly marked and included in this section.
Letters of Support
Letters of support should NOT be included.
-
Acknowledgements/Reporting
In acceptance of this award you are acknowledging the following:
- Interim and Final Report — An interim and final report detailing the specific external grant proposals submitted as a result of the IGP. The report should be one (1) page or less. Eligibility for future Office of Research IGP awards will be jeopardized if the report is not submitted. Continuation of grant funds will be contingent upon submission of an acceptable interim report and demonstration of project progress.
- SCoRe — As the recipient of a SCoRe award, these funds are intended as seed money for seeking external grants; you will not be eligible for subsequent IGP funding until you have submitted one or more external grant proposals.
- Compliance — IRB and IACUC committee approved protocols must be submitted to the Office of Research, if applicable, before a speed key will be provided.
- InnovateUNO — The Office of Research hosts InnovateUNO, an annual symposium for all IGP awardees to present their findings. By applying for this program, you agree to participate in InnovateUNO in November.
SCoRe for Release Time
Budget Cap: $15,000
FY-20 Deadline: December 6, 2019
The proposal format and requirement will be the same as the Traditional SCoRe award. However, the salary may be during the academic year for a course release. The program budget for salary will include the cost of an adjunct plus payroll benefits. Other budget items are allowed following the same guidance as for the Traditional SCoRe award.
The Departmental Chair must approve the course release.
How to Apply
-
Submission Instructions
- Open and save the Internal Grant Program Application.
- Complete your proposal. Your proposal must follow the format given in the IGP Application. Please include the current payroll benefits for appropriate salary lines.
- Use the External Proposal Plan Form on the last page of the application.
- Sign the IGP Application. A typed signature is acceptable.
- Fill out the UNO Routing Form.
- Attach your proposal and budget as indicated.
- Complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement.
- Electronically sign the routing form; click "Submit."
- You will be prompted to enter the email address of your Chair, and then the form will automatically forward your proposal to your Chair.
-
Proposal Format & Contents
Cover Page
The required cover page format is enclosed in the IGP Application. Each item on the cover page must be completed. The cover page MUST appear on the top (the first page) of the application.
Project Summary
The project summary may contain a maximum of 250 words and must be provided in the format supplied in the IGP Application. It should be a concise description of the project, containing a clear statement of objectives and an outline indicating how the project will operate to achieve its goals. The project summary should also explain concisely why and how the proposed project has strong potential to meet the objectives of the subprogram under which it was submitted.
Table of Contents
List all sections and subsections of the proposal, including appendices.
Goals & Objectives
The final goal to be reached by the end of the grant period must be clearly specified and must include specific external funding opportunities. Major changes in research programs and/or scientific personnel that can be expected when these goals are achieved must be described. This section of the proposal must be no longer than the equivalent of one, single-spaced, typewritten page.
List the program title(s) and the corresponding deadline for submission.
Proposals listing a specific federal funding opportunity or opportunities and an achievable deadline for proposal submission may be given preference. Proposals listing a specific state or private funding opportunity and an achievable deadline for proposal submission will be accepted.
- Inadequate Response: "I will apply for NSF funding." This may disqualify a proposal.
- Adequate Response: "One proposal I plan to apply for is NSF Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) with an annual deadline of the second Wednesday in August."
Narrative & Bibliography
The narrative must not exceed five (5) single-spaced pages with a type size of 12 point or greater. Pages must have 1-inch margins and be numbered. Reviewers are not required to read additional narrative pages. Information applicable in several places may be referenced by page and paragraph. The narrative should conform to the following outline, including all major sections and subsections. If an item does not apply to the project, include the appropriate heading followed by "Does not apply." Proposal reviewers will assign points based on the quality and specificity of each section.
NOTE: The five (5) page limit identified for the narrative does not include the bibliography. The bibliography shall not exceed two (2) pages.
- Rationale of the Project
SCoRe proposals must include:- Assessment of potential for achieving national competitiveness, including current status and identification of barriers to achieving competitiveness.
- A plan for achieving national competitiveness, including the specific strategies, actions, methods, and additional resources proposed to accomplish the stated goals.
- If available, critiques of proposals submitted to Federal funding agencies (or other funding sources) should be appended to the proposal if they provide information that would help IGP reviewers assess either: (1) the potential competitive status of the applicant, in general; or (2) the potential competitive status of the same (or a very similar) proposal, in particular. IGP reviewers will be instructed to give additional consideration to those applicants and proposals for which such critiques indicate a high likelihood of success, contingent upon the applicant's overcoming certain barriers (e.g., collecting preliminary data).
- Project Plan
SCoRe proposals must:- Briefly summarize the expected significance, methods, limitations, and relationship of the study to the present state of knowledge in the field and to comparable work in progress elsewhere.
- Provide a schedule of proposed activities within the grant period with benchmarks.
- Include performance measures. Indicate how the Office of Research will determine whether your project has been a success and the degree to which it has achieved its goals.
- Include plans for external grant proposals and/or publications and a description of how the level of competitive research achieved during the period of the grant would be maintained after financing from the IGP ends.
- Involvement and Qualifications of Investigators, Other Faculty, and Students
Qualifications of investigators to undertake the proposed research should be indicated. A brief statement should be included that describes the responsibilities of each person involved, the amount of time/effort each person will devote to the project, whether release time will be given and, if so, the amount, type, and duration of release time. In particular, SCoRe proposals must clearly identify the role of, and salary request for, any senior personnel. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral appointments, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified. - Institutional Capabilities and Commitment
Institutional capabilities and commitment with respect to the proposed research must be described, including available facilities especially adapted or suited to the proposed project. - Bibliography
Budget & Budget Narrative
Format
A completed budget must be submitted using the Office of Research budget template. A justification page(s) must be attached to the budget page(s) which fully explains every item for which the expenditure of IGP money is proposed.
Project Activation Date and Anticipated Date of Completion
- Activation Date: July 1
- Completion Date: June 30
- Interim Progress Report Due: January 1
- Final Progress Report Due: July 31
Disallowed Budgetary Items
IGP money may not be used to support regular, ongoing operating costs of existing or proposed programs, entities, or projects. The scope of the program also does not permit: (1) purchase of office furniture or routine office equipment (e.g., Fax machines); (2) construction of facilities; (3) maintenance of equipment; (4) routine renovation, expansion in size, or upgrading; (5) paying faculty to train other faculty; (6) similarly, the payment of honoraria to faculty; or (7) memberships and subscriptions. Support may not be requested for shortfalls or deficits in budgets; scholarships or tuition for student workers; augmentation of salaries of individuals pursuing regularly assigned duties; or unspecified contingencies. Finally, funds may not be requested for proposed centers or institutes. Potential applicants should note that funds may be requested for foreign travel. If the project is funded, however, permission for foreign travel must be obtained following University regulations, as stipulated in the State General Travel Regulations.
Funds for Principal Investigators and Support Personnel
Principal Investigator(s) may request partial salary support at an annual amount not to exceed one month of regular salary support. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified, and the budget must clearly show the percentage of time they will be involved and the rate of pay. Employee payroll benefits must be included in direct costs for all non-student employees.
No-cost extensions granted by the Office of Research will not entitle principal or co-principal investigators to re-budget funds for additional salary support.
Equipment
The IGP is not an equipment grant program. Equipment may be requested only in the context of the particular research initiative proposed.
Facility & Administrative (F&A) Costs
The budget template spreadsheet will automatically add F&A costs to the total of requested expenses. These funds will be in excess of the direct costs requested and will only be available for paying F&A costs. No Principal Investigator Enhancement (PIE) fund distribution will accrue on internal grants (no return to PI, department, college, institute, or any other unit).
Current & Pending Support/History of Support
Applicants must complete the "Current & Pending Support" form included in the IGP Application.
If you previously received a UNO SCoRe award, the Office of Research will confirm if you submitted a proposal to an outside agency after your previous SCoRe award as required.
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches for all key personnel are limited to two (2) pages and must use the form provided in the IGP Application.
Proposal Appendix
Supplemental Information
Essential material supplementary to the text of the proposal should be included in a single appendix. The appendix must be referenced in the proposal narrative, and under no circumstances may the total page count for all materials exceed ten (10) pages. It is inappropriate to include institutional catalogues, departmental curricula, publications, video tapes, computer diskettes, other non-print items, or general material.
Attachments
All general supporting materials (e.g., charts, photos) to which reference is made in the narrative section must be clearly marked and included in this section.
Letters of Support
Letters of support should NOT be included.
-
Acknowledgements/Reporting
In acceptance of this award you are acknowledging the following:
- Interim and Final Report — An interim and final report detailing the specific external grant proposals submitted as a result of the IGP. The report should be one (1) page or less. Eligibility for future Office of Research IGP awards will be jeopardized if the report is not submitted. Continuation of grant funds will be contingent upon submission of an acceptable interim report and demonstration of project progress.
- SCoRe — As the recipient of a SCoRe award, these funds are intended as seed money for seeking external grants; you will not be eligible for subsequent IGP funding until you have submitted one or more external grant proposals.
- Compliance — IRB and IACUC committee approved protocols must be submitted to the Office of Research, if applicable, before a speed key will be provided.
- InnovateUNO — The Office of Research hosts InnovateUNO, an annual symposium for all IGP awardees to present their findings. By applying for this program, you agree to participate in InnovateUNO in November.
Interdisciplinary Grant Development (IGD)
Budget Cap: $17,500 per investigator, with up to two investigators per project
FY-20 Deadline: December 6, 2019
Many federal agencies stress the importance of interdisciplinary research, and this internal funding opportunity is designed to support a team focused on writing competitive, interdisciplinary, federal proposals (or comparable non-federal proposals).
This opportunity requires collaboration between two different departments or two different colleges. The aim of the program is to stimulate fundable, interdisciplinary research across disciplines that are substantially distinct.
Collaborations between closely aligned fields are unlikely to be funded. Projects involving new collaborations are likely to be more successful than those involving existing collaborations. The overall likelihood of developing a federally (or comparable) fundable, interdisciplinary project will be the major factor in funding decisions.
Funding priorities include collection of preliminary data, planning and writing of grant proposals for external federal (or comparable) funding. Funding can be requested for release time during the academic year (pay for an adjunct), graduate student support, undergraduate support, up to one month of PI regular salary per PI/co-PI in the summer (plus current payroll benefits rate), research supplies, and scientific equipment.
How to Apply
-
Submission Instructions
- Open and save the Internal Grant Program Application.
- Complete your proposal. Your proposal must follow the format given in the IGP Application. Please include the current payroll benefits for appropriate salary lines.
- Use the External Proposal Plan Form on the last page of the application.
- Sign the IGP Application. A typed signature is acceptable.
- Fill out the UNO Routing Form.
- Attach your proposal and budget as indicated.
- Complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement.
- Electronically sign the routing form; click "Submit."
- You will be prompted to enter the email address of your Chair, and then the form will automatically forward your proposal to your Chair.
-
Proposal Format & Contents
Cover Page
The required cover page format is enclosed in the IGP Application. Each item on the cover page must be completed. The cover page MUST appear on the top (the first page) of the application.
Project Summary
The project summary may contain a maximum of 250 words and must be provided in the format supplied in the IGP Application. It should be a concise description of the project, containing a clear statement of objectives and an outline indicating how the project will operate to achieve its goals. The project summary should also explain concisely why and how the proposed project has strong potential to meet the objectives of the federal grant that the team is applying for.
Table of Contents
List all sections and subsections of the proposal, including appendices.
Goals & Objectives
The interdisciplinary federal (or comparable) proposal(s) to be submitted must be clearly specified, including the program title(s) and the corresponding deadline for submission to the sponsor. This section of the proposal must be no longer than the equivalent of one, single-spaced, typewritten page.
At least one SPECIFIC federal (or comparable) funding opportunity and an achievable deadline for proposal submission is required.
- Inadequate Response: "I will apply for NSF funding." This may disqualify a proposal.
- Adequate Response: "I will apply to NSF’s Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE) (PAPPG II.3)."
For instance, proposals can list one or more federal award programs with an annual deadline. The final report demonstrates that these proposals were actually submitted to the federal (or comparable) sponsors.
Narrative & Bibliography
The narrative must not exceed eight (8) single-spaced pages with a type size of 12 point or greater. Pages must have 1-inch margins and be numbered. Reviewers are not required to read additional narrative pages. Information applicable in several places may be referenced by page and paragraph. The narrative should conform to the following outline, including all major sections and subsections. If an item does not apply to the project, include the appropriate heading followed by "Does not apply." Proposal reviewers will assign points based on the quality and specificity of each section.
NOTE: The page limit identified for the narrative does not include the bibliography. The bibliography shall not exceed two (2) pages.
- Rationale of the Project
IGD proposals must include:- Assessment of potential for achieving national competitiveness for an interdisciplinary grant program, including current status and identification of barriers to achieving competitiveness.
- A plan for achieving national competitiveness, including the specific strategies, actions, methods, and additional resources proposed to accomplish the stated goals.
- If available, critiques of proposals submitted to Federal funding agencies (or other funding sources) should be appended to the proposal if they provide information that would help IGP reviewers assess either: (1) the potential competitive status of the applicant, in general; or (2) the potential competitive status of the same (or a very similar) proposal, in particular. IGP reviewers will be instructed to give additional consideration to those applicants and proposals for which such critiques indicate a high likelihood of success, contingent upon the applicant's overcoming certain barriers (e.g., collecting preliminary data).
- Project Plan
IGD proposals must:- Briefly summarize the expected significance, methods, limitations, and relationship of the study to the present state of knowledge in the field and to comparable work in progress elsewhere.
- Justify the uniqueness of the collaboration and how it will contribute to solving an important problem. This section should specifically address how the project will improve the likelihood of receiving federal (or comparable) funding from an interdisciplinary program.
- Provide a schedule of proposed activities within the grant period with benchmarks.
- Include performance measures. Indicate how the Office of Research will determine whether your project has been a success and the degree to which it has achieved its goals.
- Include plans for external grant proposals and/or publications and a description of how the level of competitive research achieved during the period of the grant would be maintained after financing from the IGP ends.
- Involvement and Qualifications of Investigators, Other Faculty, and Students
Qualifications of investigators to undertake the proposed research should be indicated. A brief statement should be included that describes the responsibilities of each person involved, the amount of time/effort each person will devote to the project, whether release time will be given and, if so, the amount, type, and duration of release time. In particular, SCoRe proposals must clearly identify the role of, and salary request for, any senior personnel. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral appointments, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified. - Institutional Capabilities and Commitment
Institutional capabilities and commitment with respect to the proposed research must be described, including available facilities especially adapted or suited to the proposed project. - Bibliography
Budget & Budget Narrative
Format
A completed budget must be submitted using the Office of Research budget template. A justification page(s) must be attached to the budget page(s) which fully explains every item for which the expenditure of IGP money is proposed.
Project Activation Date and Anticipated Date of Completion
- Activation Date: July 1
- Completion Date: June 30
- Interim Progress Report Due: January 1
- Final Progress Report Due: July 31
Disallowed Budgetary Items
IGP money may not be used to support regular, ongoing operating costs of existing or proposed programs, entities, or projects. The scope of the program also does not permit: (1) purchase of office furniture or routine office equipment (e.g., Fax machines); (2) construction of facilities; (3) maintenance of equipment; (4) routine renovation, expansion in size, or upgrading; (5) paying faculty to train other faculty; (6) similarly, the payment of honoraria to faculty; or (7) memberships and subscriptions. Support may not be requested for shortfalls or deficits in budgets; scholarships or tuition for student workers; augmentation of salaries of individuals pursuing regularly assigned duties; or unspecified contingencies. Finally, funds may not be requested for proposed centers or institutes. Potential applicants should note that funds may be requested for foreign travel. If the project is funded, however, permission for foreign travel must be obtained following University regulations, as stipulated in the State General Travel Regulations.
Funds for Principal Investigators and Support Personnel
Principal Investigator(s) may request partial salary support at an annual amount not to exceed one month of regular salary support. If funds for assistantships, postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, etc., are requested, their roles in accomplishing objectives of the program must be clearly identified, and the budget must clearly show the percentage of time they will be involved and the rate of pay. Employee payroll benefits must be included in direct costs for all non-student employees.
No-cost extensions granted by the Office of Research will not entitle principal or co-principal investigators to re-budget funds for additional salary support.
Equipment
The IGP is not an equipment grant program. Equipment may be requested only in the context of the particular research initiative proposed.
Facility & Administrative (F&A) Costs
The budget template spreadsheet will automatically add F&A costs to the total of requested expenses. These funds will be in excess of the direct costs requested and will only be available for paying F&A costs. No Principal Investigator Enhancement (PIE) fund distribution will accrue on internal grants (no return to PI, department, college, institute, or any other unit).
Current & Pending Support/History of Support
Applicants must complete the "Current & Pending Support" form included in the IGP Application.
If you previously received a UNO SCoRe award, the Office of Research will confirm if you submitted a proposal to an outside agency after your previous SCoRe award as required.
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches for all key personnel are limited to two (2) pages and must use the form provided in the IGP Application.
Proposal Appendix
Supplemental Information
Essential material supplementary to the text of the proposal should be included in a single appendix. The appendix must be referenced in the proposal narrative, and under no circumstances may the total page count for all materials exceed ten (10) pages. It is inappropriate to include institutional catalogues, departmental curricula, publications, video tapes, computer diskettes, other non-print items, or general material.
Attachments
All general supporting materials (e.g., charts, photos) to which reference is made in the narrative section must be clearly marked and included in this section.
Letters of Support
Letters of support should NOT be included.
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Acknowledgements/Reporting
In acceptance of this award you are acknowledging the following:
- Interim and Final Report — An interim and final report detailing the specific external grant proposals submitted as a result of the IGP. The report should be one (1) page or less. Eligibility for future Office of Research IGP awards will be jeopardized if the report is not submitted. Continuation of grant funds will be contingent upon submission of an acceptable interim report and demonstration of project progress.
- Interdisciplinary Grant Development — As the recipient of an IGD award, these funds are intended as seed money for seeking external grants; you will not be eligible for subsequent IGP funding until you have submitted one or more external grant proposals.
- Compliance — IRB and IACUC committee approved protocols must be submitted to the Office of Research, if applicable, before a speed key will be provided.
- InnovateUNO — The Office of Research hosts InnovateUNO, an annual symposium for all IGP awardees to present their findings. By applying for this program, you agree to participate in InnovateUNO in November.
Leveraging External Expertise Program (LEEP)
Budget Cap: $3,500
Rolling Deadline: Proposals must be submitted at least 4 months prior to the planned event.
This program supports visits to UNO by external scholars, researchers, or artists in order to enrich the campus, improve scholarly productivity, or enhance the university reputation. Projects will involve short-term visits to UNO by external experts in any appropriate format, such as college- or campus-wide seminars, participation in UNO-run symposia, or workshops to enhance student or faculty productivity in a specific discipline or area of competence. Additional formats are possible as long as the project clearly contributes to advancing the university mission. One or more experts may be involved in a single visit or across multiple visits (e.g. a seminar series).
Applicants are encouraged to seek additional matching funds from departments, colleges, centers/institutes, or other on- or off-campus constituents.
How to Apply
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Submission Instructions
- Open and save the Internal Grant Program Application.
- Complete your proposal. Your proposal must follow the format given in the IGP Application. Please include the current payroll benefits for appropriate salary lines.
- Sign the IGP Application. A typed signature is acceptable.
- Fill out the UNO Routing Form.
- Attach your proposal and budget as indicated.
- Complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement.
- Electronically sign the routing form; click "Submit."
- You will be prompted to enter the email address of your Chair, and then the form will automatically forward your proposal to your Chair.
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Proposal Format & Contents
Cover Page
The required cover page format is enclosed in the IGP Application. Each item on the cover page must be completed. The cover page MUST appear on the top (the first page) of the application.
Project Summary
The project summary may contain a maximum of 250 words and must be provided in the format supplied in the IGP Application. It should be a concise description of the project, containing a clear statement of objectives and an outline indicating how the project will operate to achieve its goals. The project summary should also explain concisely why and how the proposed project has strong potential to meet the objectives of the subprogram under which it was submitted.
Table of Contents
List all sections and subsections of the proposal, including appendices.
Goals & Objectives
The final goal to be reached by the end of the grant period must be clearly specified. Major changes in research/scholarly/creative programs and/or relevant personnel that can be expected when these goals are achieved must be described. This section of the proposal must be no longer than the equivalent of one, single-spaced, typewritten page.
The Final Report should state the progress made on the goals and objectives during the lifetime of the award as outlined in the proposal.
Narrative & Bibliography
The narrative must not exceed five (5) single-spaced pages with a type size of 12 point or greater. Pages must have 1-inch margins and be numbered. Reviewers are not required to read additional narrative pages. Information applicable in several places may be referenced by page and paragraph. The narrative should conform to the following outline, including all major sections and subsections. If an item does not apply to the project, include the appropriate heading followed by "Does not apply." Proposal reviewers will assign points based on the quality and specificity of each section.
NOTE: The five (5) page limit identified for the narrative does not include the bibliography. The bibliography shall not exceed two (2) pages.
- Rationale of the Project
LEEP proposals must include:- Expected impact on the campus scholarly productivity.
- Contribution of the project to the development of a department, college, center, or institute as a scholarly entity.
- Expected impact of the project on the quality of the University (e.g. reputation, student or faculty recruiting or retention, capabilities).
- Project Plan
LEEP proposals must:- Briefly summarize the expected significance, methods, limitations, and relationship of the project to the present state of the campus entities impacted.
- Provide a schedule of proposed activities within the grant period with benchmarks.
- Include performance measures. Indicate how the Office of Research will determine whether your project has been a success and the degree to which it has achieved its goals.
- Include plans for publications, dissemination, and/or external grant proposals along with a description of how the level of scholarly activity achieved during the period of the grant would be maintained after IGP financing ends.
- Involvement and Qualifications of Investigators, Other Faculty, and Students
Qualifications of UNO scholars/investigators to undertake the proposed project should be indicated. A brief statement should be included that describes the responsibilities of each person involved and the amount of time/effort each person will devote to the project. In particular, LEEP proposals must clearly identify the expertise and reputation of the invited visitor(s) and justify how these qualifications will serve to enhance UNO productivity or reputation. - Institutional Capabilities and Commitment
Institutional capabilities and commitment with respect to the proposed project must be described, including available facilities especially adapted or suited to the proposed project as well as any matching funds from other on or off campus constituents. - Bibliography
Budget & Budget Narrative
Format
A completed budget must be submitted using the Office of Research budget template. A justification page(s) must be attached to the budget page(s) which fully explains every item for which the expenditure of IGP money is proposed.
Applicants are encouraged to seek additional matching funds from departments, colleges, centers/institutes, or other on- or off-campus constituents. F&A costs will be automatically added in the budget template, but these costs are not part of the budget cap.
Project Activation Date and Anticipated Date of Completion
- Activation Date: varies
- Final Progress Report Due: 30 days after event
Disallowed Budgetary Items
LEEP funds may only be used for visitor travel, visitor stipend if required, and costs directly associated with programming (e.g. supplies for a workshop). Potential applicants should note that funds may be requested for foreign travel. If the project is funded, however, permission for all travel must be obtained following University regulations, as stipulated in the State General Travel Regulations.
Funds for Principal Investigators and Support Personnel
LEEP funds may not be used to support salaries of UNO personnel.
Equipment
LEEP funds may not be used for the purchase of equipment.
Facility & Administrative (F&A) Costs
The budget template spreadsheet will automatically add F&A costs to the total of requested expenses. These funds will be in excess of the direct costs requested and will only be available for paying F&A costs. No Principal Investigator Enhancement (PIE) fund distribution will accrue on internal grants (no return to PI, department, college, institute, or any other unit).
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches for all key personnel are limited to two (2) pages and must use the form provided in the IGP Application.
Proposal Appendix
Supplemental Information
Essential material supplementary to the text of the proposal should be included in a single appendix. The appendix must be referenced in the proposal narrative, and under no circumstances may the total appendix page count for all materials exceed five (5) pages. Background material on the invited visitor(s) is appropriate for this section.
Attachments
All general supporting materials (e.g., charts, photos) to which reference is made in the narrative section must be clearly marked and included in this section.
Letters of Support
Letters of support should NOT be included.
- Rationale of the Project
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Acknowledgements/Reporting
In acceptance of this award you are acknowledging the following:
- Final Report — A final report will be submitted to inform the Office of Research as to the outcome(s) and product(s) of the work. The report should be no more than one (1) page and should include deliverables such as CD published, chapter written, etc. based on the rationale of the proposal. Eligibility for future Office of Research IGP awards will be jeopardized if the report is not submitted.
- Compliance — IRB and IACUC committee approved protocols must be submitted to the Office of Research, if applicable, before a speed key will be provided.
- InnovateUNO — The Office of Research hosts InnovateUNO, an annual symposium for all IGP awardees to present their findings. By applying for this program, you agree to participate in InnovateUNO in November.
Award for Building Research or Artistic Development (ABROAD)
Budget Cap: $5,500
Rolling Deadline: Proposals must be submitted at least 4 months prior to the planned event.
In order to stimulate research collaborations between UNO and institutions in Austria, Colombia, Egypt, and France, the Office of Research anticipates funding one or more collaborative visits of 1-6 weeks by a UNO PI to an institution in one of these countries. During this visit, the PI will develop collaborations and/or conduct research with an appropriate professor or professional collaborator.
Attendance of existing conferences is not supported by this program. Visits must include meaningful and focused interactions with an international partner that develop specific future collaborations. The program does not support or supplement teaching activities. Proposals will be reviewed internally at UNO and competitively awarded.
While funding is open to all disciplines, successful proposals will clearly demonstrate capacity for building UNO reputation, creating unique products, or developing future external funding opportunities.
Applicants are encouraged to seek additional matching funds from off-campus constituents, including for student exchanges.
The Office of Research has established interactions with the University of Innsbruck, the University of Vienna, Université Claude Bernard Lyon-1, Egyptian universities, and Colombian universities and can serve as a resource for identifying potential collaborators. Collaboration with other institutions is also possible if the PI has established relationships, but consultation with the Office or Research should be made before applying for travel to other countries. Leveraging of other funding opportunities will strengthen proposals.
How to Apply
-
Submission Instructions
- Open and save the Internal Grant Program Application.
- Complete your proposal. Your proposal must follow the format given in the IGP Application. Please include the current payroll benefits for appropriate salary lines.
- Sign the IGP Application. A typed signature is acceptable.
- Fill out the UNO Routing Form.
- Attach your proposal and budget as indicated.
- Complete and sign the Conflict of Interest statement.
- Electronically sign the routing form; click "Submit."
- You will be prompted to enter the email address of your Chair, and then the form will automatically forward your proposal to your Chair.
-
Proposal Format & Contents
Cover Page
The UNO Routing Form will serve as the cover page. The project summary, narrative & bibliography, budget, and biographical sketch described below should be attached to the routing form as a single PDF document.
Project Summary
The project summary may contain a maximum of 250 words. It should be a concise description of the project and its objective(s), containing a clear statement of a proposed collaboration including the name, institution, and professional area of the international collaborator, the proposed dates of the visit, the topic of the collaboration, what will be accomplished during a 1-6 week visit, what follow-up plans will be made to continue the research, and what benefits are expected. Impact on future research and funding opportunities should be addressed. Any future involvement of UNO undergraduate or graduate students or international visiting students should be described.
Narrative & Bibliography
The narrative must not exceed three (3) single-spaced pages with a type size of 12 point or greater. Pages must have 1-inch margins and be numbered. Reviewers are not required to read additional narrative pages. The narrative should conform to the following outline, including all major sections and subsections. If an item does not apply to the project, include the appropriate heading followed by "Does not apply." Proposal reviewers will assign points based on the quality and specificity of each section.
NOTE: The three (3) page limit identified for the narrative does not include the bibliography. The bibliography shall not exceed one (1) page.
- Rationale of the Project
CEO proposals must include:- Explain the research to be developed/conducted during the short-term visit and the anticipated longer-term research and outcomes.
- Explain how the collaboration will enhance the research competency or funding capability of the PI.
- Use terminology understandable to a general science/engineering audience.
- Collaborator
- Provide the name, institution, and department of the collaborator.
- Describe concisely the expertise of the collaborator and how it complements or enhances that of the PI.
- Describe any current or previous interactions with the proposed collaborator.
- Describe specific capabilities or resources that will be used at the host institution and how they will be utilized.
- Collaboration Plan
- Describe the activities that will take place to prepare for the collaborative visit.
- Describe the activities that will take place during the visit and the expected outcomes and impacts.
- Describe the activities that will take place after the visit to develop new research or achieve new funding. Detail any future plans for a visit of the collaborator or students to UNO as well as plans for UNO students to visit the Austrian or French institution. Explain expected longer-term outcomes and impacts of the collaboration. Indicate sources of external funding that will be pursued.
- PI Expertise & Capabilities
- Describe the PI's expertise and capabilities and how they will interface with those of the collaborator in order to build new competencies.
- Describe the PI's capabilities and facilities at UNO and how they will support continued collaboration after the visit.
- Bibliography
Limited to one (1) page.
Budget
A completed budget must be submitted using the Office of Research budget template.
Funding will be provided to cover the cost of round-trip airfare (maximum $2,000), lodging, and meals (maximum $30 per day for visits longer than one week) for a 1-6 week visit with international collaborator. The total budget should not exceed $5,500 for a 6 week visit and should be considerably less for a short stay.
This program does not support travel to attend existing conferences or for teaching activities.
In some cases, the University of Innsbruck may include housing funding for visiting faculty members from UNO.
The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation has funding for UNO undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering fields to work at an Austrian university for 3-6 months. The Office of Research and Center Austria should be consulted if you wish to plan student visits.
Facility & Administrative (F&A) Costs
The budget template spreadsheet will automatically add F&A costs to the total of requested expenses. These funds will be in excess of the direct costs requested and will only be available for paying F&A costs. No Principal Investigator Enhancement (PIE) fund distribution will accrue on internal grants (no return to PI, department, college, institute, or any other unit).
Biographical Sketch
Biographical sketches for all key personnel are limited to two (2) pages and must use the form provided in the IGP Application.
Letter of Support
Collaborator Letter
Provide a letter (maximum 2 pages) from the proposed collaborator indicating a willingness to collaborate and the anticipated visit dates, describing resources available, and detailing how the collaboration will benefit the collaborator, the PI, and/or the broader community.
- Rationale of the Project
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Acknowledgements/Reporting
In acceptance of this award you are acknowledging the following:
- Final Report — A final report will be submitted to inform the Office of Research as to the outcome(s) and product(s) of the work. The report should be no more than two (2) pages and should include the dates of the visit, the work completed, a summary of the data or results obtained, and the continuing collaboration in place and planned. Eligibility for future Office of Research funding will be jeopardized if the report is not submitted. The final report should be submitted no later than six (6) weeks after the travel is completed.
- Compliance, Limitations, & Approvals — Approval for international travel must be obtained from UNO well in advance of the travel dates, using normal UNO travel guidelines. Airfare must be purchased six (6) weeks prior to travel and should not exceed $2,000. Lodging arrangements may be made with the assistance of the host institution, and the cost will be capped based on reasonable costs for long-term lodging. A travel voucher with proper documentation must be submitted within six (6) weeks of completion of the travel. The PI must have a passport that expires no earlier than one year after the travel is to be concluded. Visa requirements are the responsibility of the PI. Export control compliance must be verified.
- InnovateUNO — The Office of Research hosts InnovateUNO, an annual symposium for all IGP awardees to present their findings. By applying for this program, you agree to participate in InnovateUNO in November.