Info for Researchers

1. MRSEC Seed Program Opportunity
2. Upcoming Research Grant Opportunities
3. Grant Writing Crash Course

1.    MRSEC Seed Program Opportunity

The Executive Committee of the Utah MRSEC (Materials Research Science and Engineering Center) is pleased to announce the continuation of the MRSEC Funding Incentive Seed Grant Program at the University of Utah. Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2012 cycle. Instructions for the application are attached here, and also can be retrieved from the MRSEC web site: www.mrsec.utah.edu.

Proposals should be submitted to the MRSEC Executive Committee at mrsec@eng.utah.edu.The application deadline is Aug. 1, 2012.

This program was created as a part of the MRSEC sponsored by the NSF, USTAR, and the University of Utah, in response to the following NSF instructions:

“Seed funding: NSF intends to provide flexibility for the center to respond quickly and effectively to new opportunities, and pursue high risk/high impact and transformative research. These may include (but are not limited to): seed support for junior faculty and for investigators changing fields; emerging areas of interdisciplinary research; programs to link the university effort in materials with industry, national laboratories, and other sectors; the development of tools and cyber infrastructure for remote access to instrumentation; and innovative interdisciplinary educational ventures.”

Seed funding through the MRSEC is not intended to provide a substitute for individual investigator funding from extramural agencies. Successful applicants are expected to use the results generated by seed funding to pursue extramural funding.

The MRSEC Funding Incentive Seed Grant Program will support new basic and translational studies in all areas of materials research. The emphasis of this program is on developing  new research directions that can either be integrated into one of the two existing Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs)or developed into a third independent IRG. The two existing IRGs are focused on (i) Plasmonics, and (ii) Organic Spintronics.

Applications should not have overlap with existing extramural research grants. The award can be up to $30,000 for an individual PI, although additional funding (up to $50,000) may be considered for a proposal with two or more PIs.  Funding is for one year with the possibility (on rare occasions) of extension for a second year of support. Only one application per faculty member as a PI or co-PI is permitted.

2.    Upcoming Research Grant Opportunities

Intramural Funding Opportunities
Funding Incentive Seed Grant Program
Deadline: Aug. 20, 2012

URC Faculty Research and Creative Grant Awards
Deadline: Aug. 20, 2012

Limited Submission Opportunities (apply through CIS in the Limited Submission Application link)
Occupational Safety and Health Training Project Grants
Internal submission deadline: Jul. 5, 2012

Centers of Excellence for Research on CAM
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 2, 2012

Career Awards for Medical Scientists (CAMS)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 9, 2012

NIDCD Research Core Centers
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 9, 2012

EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program Track-1 (RII Track-1)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 9, 2012

NIGMS National Centers for Systems Biology (P50)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 30, 2012

Academic-Community Partnership Community Series (R13)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 30, 2012

Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections (ADBC)
Internal submission deadline: Aug. 30, 2012

Major Research Instrumentation Program
Internal submission deadline: Dec. 6, 2012

3.    Grant Writing Crash Course

Registration for the Fall 2012 “Grant Writing Crash Course” is now available.

Oct. 12-14, 2012
The Lodges at Deer Valley Resort
Park City, Utah

Experienced University of Utah faculty will provide individualized instruction in the mechanics of effective grant proposal writing, how to sell your idea to a sponsoring agency, how to develop specific aims and justifications, and the political and social aspects of “grantsmanship.” Participants will work on their grant proposals at the Crash Course, receiving real-time feedback to strengthen their proposals and enhance their likelihood of funding. A high faculty to trainee (PI) ratio is provided, so the number of spaces available for attendees is restricted. If you do not have seed or personal funding available for the registration fee, we encourage you to discuss other options with your Department Chair or Research Dean. Registration fees include two nights lodging at the Deer Valley Resort, use of recreational facilities, and most meals. A spouse and up to two children are welcome to accompany the participant (additional charge if more than two children attend).

Attendance is highly limited, so you are encouraged to reserve your place as soon as possible. To register, or for more information, please contact Tony Onofrietti, Director of Research Education or call 801-585-3492.

The “Grant Writing Crash Course” is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and led by Gary C. Schoenwolf, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy.