University Small Grant Program (UGP)

Application Cover Page

Each fall, the University Research and Creativity Committee (URCC) solicits applications for the University Small Grant Program. Awards are made for $5,000. Applications, complete with cover page, are mailed to faculty at the beginning of fall semester. To have complete information, review the cover page document and information listed below.

DATE: August 28, 2009
TO: Faculty Members
FROM: University Research and Creativity Committee
RE: UNIVERSITY GRANT PROGRAM

Deadline: February 26, 2010, 5 p.m.

Applications to the University Grant Program (UGP) will be accepted by the University Research and Creativity Committee (URCC) until 5:00 pm on February 26, 2010. The program makes grants of up to $5,000 to eligible faculty. The guidelines and policies of the program are described below. Applicants should address questions about the application guidelines to the Office of the Vice President for Research, (406) 243-6670.

Eligibility
Proposals in any area of research or creative work are welcome from all faculty members (visiting, postdoctoral, emeriti, adjunct), postdoctoral through professor on contract for 2009/20010. academic years.

Program Goals
The UGP strives to advance scholarship at The University of Montana through stimulation of research and creative work. Particular emphasis is placed upon the participation (in order of priority) of: 1) junior faculty (i.e., not yet tenured assistant professors in a tenure-track appointment in their first five years) with limited experience in sponsored programs; 2) senior faculty exploring a new area; or 3) other faculty, including senior faculty with ongoing research who have not received UGP funding in the last three years, or visiting, postdoctoral, emeriti, or adjunct faculty. Applicants must specify one of these three categories. New faculty are eligible for consecutive year funding. Funds are granted with the expectation that the grant will result in a contribution to the profession and/or additional extramural support. Funding for new research or creative activity will be prioritized above proposals seeking funding for other purposes, such as to present at conferences.

Proposal Evaluation
Proposals are evaluated on the basis of the following areas:

1) Objectives:

a) Clearly define the objectives or purpose of proposal.
b) Describe or outline how objectives will be carried out.
c) Explain the relationship of the project to UGP priorities.

2) Significance:

a) Explain the proposal's significance to the applicant's discipline.
b) Discuss the relationship between the proposal and other scholarship in the discipline.

3) Methodology:

a) Identify procedures, techniques, methods, use and necessity of equipment, etc.
b) Justify and explain the methodology used.

4) Expertise:

a) Explain the relationship between the proposal and the applicant's previous research or creative work. (A list of related activities of up to one page will suffice.)
b) Indicate familiarity with the secondary literature related to the proposal. (A bibliography of up to one page will suffice.)

5) Budget: (Fringe rates should be calculated at 20% for faculty, 13% for temps, and 1% for students, including research assistants)

a) Itemize budget.                                              (Salaries must include fringe at 20% for faculty, 16% for
b) Justify budget (for allowable costs)            temps and 1% for students, including research assistants.)

6) For New Faculty:

a) Applicants are encouraged to seek input from colleagues who have had success at the national level.
b) Secure an endorsement statement (one to two paragraphs) from the department chair or a senior colleague that describes how this proposal will fit into the applicant's professional development.

Proposal Review
Proposals will be ranked by ad hoc review committees appointed by the URCC. Each review committee will rank its proposals and submit that ranking to the URCC for review. The URCC then will make recommendations to the Vice President for Research for authorization. Applicants will be advised of final funding decisions before the end of Spring Break 2010.

Proposal Format
Applicants should submit the original proposal (signed) and three collated copies of the following:

1. a signed cover page;
2. a one-page list of relevant accomplishments (publications, performances, exhibitions, etc.); and,
3. the proposal narrative, not to exceed five pages, including a bibliography, if relevant.
   
   If slides are submitted as part of the proposal, two sets should be included. If an endorsement statement is submitted for new faculty, include a copy with each proposal. The proposal must not exceed seven pages including the attached cover sheet.

Allowable Costs
The URCC will consider requests for salary, materials and supplies, equipment, travel, photocopying, student support (directly benefiting the proposed project), salary, and other costs justified by the nature of the project.  In fields where research typically involves direct costs such as for travel, equipment, and supplies, funding for salary will be considered low priority.

Grant Policies
If awarded a grant, the awardee agrees to the following:

1. Awardee must be on contract for the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 academic years. Grant monies may be expended from May 1, 2010, to August 31, 2011. Exceptions require prior written approval by the Vice President for Research.
2. Successful applicants must obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for use of human subjects, or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval for use of animals, if applicable, prior to release of funds.
3. Awardee will formally acknowledge the support of The University of Montana in all publications, exhibition or performances resulting from the grant.
4. Awardees will submit (within one year of the date of award) a final written report to the Office of the Vice President for Research. It may be a one- to two-page summary of results or other documentation clearly marked as a substitute for a final report. Oral presentations to URCC members or the Vice President for Research are not acceptable final reports. Awardees who do not submit a final report will not be eligible for subsequent grants.
5. All non-expendable materials purchased with grant funds are the property of The University of Montana.
6. Awardees who receive personal financial gain (e.g., royalties) as a direct result of a grant shall reimburse the University up to the amount of the grant.
7. An award may not be used to fund dissertation research.

To Apply
Submit the original and three copies of the proposal to the Office of the Vice President for Research, 116 University Hall, no later than 5 p.m., February 26, 2010

Late proposals will not be accepted.