Funding opportunity announcement: Dimensions Grant

Proposal deadlines

Last Friday in March by 5 p.m., Pacific Time, submitted via InfoReady Review.

Program description

Research & Innovation has teamed up with the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) and the Reynolds School of Journalism (RSJ) to offer competitive funding that supports the research and creative activity of tenure/tenure-track faculty in CLA and RSJ. Funding supports interdisciplinary research projects, symposia or public discussions that are led by faculty in the humanities, arts, social sciences and/or journalism. Early-stage development of a collaborative scholarly or creative project (e.g. data collection or project design) that might lead to an application for a more substantial external grant are encouraged. Collaborative and/or interdisciplinary projects that have the potential to be eligible for future external funding will be prioritized.

Funds may support collaborative research or creative work between two or more faculty in the same or different departments within CLA or RSJ, or collaborative research or creative work led by faculty within CLA or RSJ and involving faculty in the STEM, medicine, business or other professional fields.

Leadership contacts

• Mridul Gautam, mgautam@unr.edu
• Josh Baker, jebaker@unr.edu
• avpr@unr.edu

Administrative contacts

• Carrie Bushá, cbusha@unr.edu
• researchdevelopment@unr.edu

Award information

Anticipated Funding Amount: Up to $8,000. See budgetary information for details.

Eligibility information

All projects must be led by a tenure/tenure-track faculty in either CLA or RSJ. Faculty from other units may be co-PIs or other types of collaborators. Approval from the PI’s dean must be provided if collaborators from other institutions are included.

Proposal preparation and submission instructions

The application must consist of:

• Standard cover page as outlined in the proposal cover page format section
• Proposal, up to three pages, that includes:
  • A summary of the research or creative project
  • Role of each collaborator and their contributions to the project
  • Timeline for completion of the project
  • A short discussion on the external funding for which the applicant has already applied or plans to apply for in order to support continued development of the project.
• Budget and justification as detailed below.
• CV or biosketch in the format customary in the field.

Applications must be submitted through InfoReady Review.

Applications must be received by 5 p.m. by the due date in the deadlines section.

Submission questions should be emailed to researchdevelopment@unr.edu.

Budgetary information

In a table format, provide a budget request that itemizes costs in each category relevant to your request. The budget must include the total of the requested amount and any voluntary cost share.

In addition, a budget narrative must be included to describe each component of the budget and explain how each item is required to achieve the aims of the project.

Cost share: If the project includes voluntary cost share, include a letter detailing where the cost share will come from (e.g. start-up or department funds), signed by the individual with authority to commit those funds.

Allowable expenses:

• Equipment or materials purchases related to the project
• Participant support costs or graduate/undergraduate student assistance
• Travel-related expenses

Unallowable expenses:

• Course buyouts
• Summer salary
• Hosting

Review and selection process

Applications for Dimensions Grants will be evaluated by the Scholarly and Research Activities Committee, a standing committee within the College of Liberal Arts, joined by one faculty member from the Reynolds School of Journalism who will be appointed by the RSJ Dean, as well as one member of Research & Proposal Development Services. The evaluation committee will be overseen by the Associate Dean of Research in the College of Liberal Arts. The committee will forward its recommendations to the Associate Vice President for Research. The final selection of awards will be made by the Vice President for Research and Innovation.

Review Criteria

Applications for Dimensions grants will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• Intellectual merit
• Clarity and presentation
• Feasibility
• Budget
• Potential for future external funding
• Potential for further interdisciplinary research
• Chair’s support

Grant administration information

Notification of the grant award

Notifications of funding will be made by email from the Associate Vice President for Research. Notification of funding will be made to the faculty applicant, their chair, and to the relevant department administrator. Award notifications will be made to the applicants within two weeks after receipt of the review committee’s recommendation.

Award conditions

The purpose of this funding is to support activities that will lead to successful award of external funding for research. It is expected that this funding support future preparation and submission of proposals for external research funding.

Funding is for a 12-month performance period during the fiscal year stipulated in the notice of grant award. Awarded funds are retained by Research & Innovation and not transferred to another cost center.

A worktag will be assigned after notification of funding. All submitted expenses must comply with University and NSHE policies and be related to the work described in the approved application.

Reporting requirements

Awardees are required to respond to an annual survey requesting details on the outcome of their award.

Deliverables

If Research & Innovation holds a showcase poster session, the awardee must present their relevant work.

All award recipients should acknowledge the support from the University of Nevada, Reno in all publications, monographs, presentations, exhibitions, videos, recordings, websites and other projects or activities stemming from the award.