Author: alexaspley1

• Sponsor: Brain Research Foundation (BRF)
• Internal Deadline: November 19, 2020
• Sponsor LOI Deadline: January 5, 2021 at 4 p.m. CST
• Sponsor Deadline: March 30, 2021 (by invitation)
• Link: https://www.thebrf.org/seed-grants/

Summary

Brain Research Foundation’s Annual Seed Grant Program was initiated in 1981. The purpose of the program is to provide start-up monies for new research projects in the field of neuroscience that will likely lead to extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other outside funding sources.

The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants.

Brain Research Foundation’s Scientific Review Committee will review the seed grant proposals and make recommendations for funding to the Foundation. The Committee consists of senior scientists broadly representing the various neuroscience-related programs. A representative of Brain Research Foundation is also present when the Committee meets.

Please read the full program announcement before preparing your internal application.

Award Amount

Each total grant is limited to $80,000 (direct costs) for a two year grant period. The first grant payment of $40,000 will be made upon completion of the Seed Grant Acceptance Form (June 2021). The final payment of $40,000 will be made contingent upon receipt of a preliminary progress and financial report (June 2022). Funds must be utilized within the grant period.

100% of these BRF Seed Grant funds must be utilized for direct costs.

Funding Specifics:

1. Funding is to be directed at pilot research projects that are both innovative and will likely lead to successful grant applications to NIH and other public and private funding entities.
2. Assistant Professor – Junior faculty with a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority.
   1. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grants and indicate if there is any overlap.
3. Associate Professor – Faculty who are pursuing new research directions.
   1. Must explain how the project is a new research direction.
   1. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grant(s) and indicate if there is any overlap.
4. A new technique is not considered a new direction unless it pertains to a different area of study.
5. Grants are NOT to be used for bridge funding between grants.

Eligibility

• To be eligible, PI must be a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor at an invited US academic institution, working in the area of studies of brain function. This includes molecular and clinical neuroscience as well as studies of neural, sensory, motor, cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning in health and disease. The grant proposal must detail a new research project that is not funded by other sources. This grant is not to be used as bridge funding.
• Scientists that have previously received a BRF Seed Grant may not receive the award for a second time unless all grant requirements from all previous awards are met. Only one PI may apply per application.

Ineligibility:

1. PI is ineligible if they are not a full-time faculty member at the institution in which they are applying under.
2. PI is ineligible if they are a Full Professor.
3. PI is ineligible if they are a research assistant professor or research associate professor.
4. PI is ineligible to submit more than one BRF Seed Grant proposal in a funding period.
5. PI is ineligible if they have BRF funding that will overlap this grant period.
6. PI is ineligible if they have been awarded prior BRF funding, but have failed to submit progress and financial reports at the end of their grant period.
7. PI is ineligible if they are a member of the BRF Scientific Review Committee.
8. PI is ineligible if they are a relative of BRF a representative, including the SRC, as defined by the Foundation.

Limitation Details

An Institution may submit one letter of intent.

If you are interested in submitting for this program, you must first submit an internal application to limsub@uga.edu according to the required instructions below.

Internal Applications must include the following:

• A cover page listing
  • The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal
  • Your name, UGA position, home department, email, and UGA contact information
  • Collaborator names, positions, and institutions (if any)
  • Indicate whether or not you have submitted to this program in the past. If so, please provide a copy of the review at the end of the internal application.
• A (maximum two-page) proposal summary that addresses the program’s specific selection criteria.
• One paragraph describing why this proposal should be UGA’s submission (i.e., why it will be the most competitive for this program)
• Curriculum vitae

Internal Selection

Limited Submission announcements often generate multiple competing proposals.  UGA reviewers judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put their best foot forward.  Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria.

Internal Submission Instructions

The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to limsub@uga.edu by the internal deadline listed above.

Questions?

Please submit questions regarding the internal competition to limsub@uga.edu.

For questions directly related to this program, please contact the BRF at info@theBRF.org.

---

View our calendar for all Current and Closed Limited Submissions.
Subscribe to our listerv to receive weekly internal competition announcements.
What is a Limited Submission?

• Sponsor: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
• Internal Deadline: November 23, 2020
• Agency Deadline: July 31, 2021
• Link: https://www.thesecu.com/programs/sec-faculty-travel-program/

The Office of Research appreciates that faculty travel is greatly reduced as a result of COVID-19. We are announcing a new round of funding for the SEC Faculty Travel Program in case any faculty have plans to travel to other SEC institutions and wish to apply for funding.

Summary

The SEC Faculty Travel Program was established in 2012 and aims to foster relationships that stimulate collaboration between SEC member universities relative to exchanging ideas, developing grant proposals, presenting lectures, conducting research and delivering performances. In support of the SEC Faculty Travel Program, the SEC provides up to $10,000 in travel awards to each SEC university to assist participating faculty.

SEC Guidelines and Procedures

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) Faculty Travel Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. It gives faculty members from one SEC university the opportunity to travel to another SEC campus to exchange ideas, develop grant proposals and conduct research. The program may not be used in conjunction with outside employment. General program procedures are as follows:

• Each SEC university will be able to access up to $10,000 per year from the SEC for faculty members participating in the travel program.
• Travel program checks will be written from the SEC in late October or early November to the faculty member’s home institution and will be applicable to all program participants. The faculty member’s home institution is responsible for distributing the travel funds for transportation, room, board, etc.
• The faculty member may visit any SEC institution, and consideration must be given to how many other SEC faculty will be on a particular campus that year and/or in the same timeframe. (All travel must occur between August 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021.)
• The travel funds should be used during an appropriate period, such as a sabbatical leave, the summer, a designated university break, etc. Faculty members are responsible for arranging coverage of their duties at their home institutions.
• The faculty member should contact a host unit (e.g., department, research center, school etc.) that he or she wishes to visit to determine that unit’s receptivity and availability. During the visit, the faculty member may consult with faculty and/or students, offer lectures, present concerts, conduct research, etc.
• After the visit, the faculty member should submit a brief report to the university’s SEC Faculty Travel Program contact (UGA’s contact is Alex Aspley, limsub@uga.edu) describing outcomes of the visit. A standard form for this report is available from the university point of contact.

Please note that the SEC Faculty Travel Grant funds apply to travel expenses only (airfare, lodging, meal per diems, shuttle/taxi service, etc). Funds awarded may not necessarily cover all of the trip’s travel costs; this program is intended to lessen the financial burden associated with travel, lodging, and meals.

Eligibility

• Faculty members can submit applications on their own behalf, as these funds cannot cover teams, groups, or staff working with the faculty member.
• Travel funds may not be used for non travel-related expenses. The program is intended to lessen the financial burden associated with travel, lodging and meals.

Limitation Details

UGA typically divides this $10,000 grant amongst 4-10 recipients. To be considered for a portion of this grant, please submit an internal application according to the required internal submission instructions below. Note that faculty members can only submit applications on their own behalf, as these funds cannot cover teams, groups, or staff working with the faculty member.

Internal applications must include:

• A cover page listing
  • Faculty member name and title
  • Contact information (mailing and email addresses)
  • The name of this funding opportunity
  • Host SEC university and unit
  • Anticipated visit dates
• Brief summary of planned activities (no more than one page)
• Total amount of funds requested with anticipated travel budget breakdown (limit $2,500 per application). It is recommended that interested applicants work with their business managers to create accurate budgets, utilizing per-diem rates, mileage, etc.
• Faculty member’s biography (no more than 125 words)
• Copy of host unit’s invitation letter to the faculty member. This letter should include a statement that includes the host institution’s visitor policy. 

Internal application submission instructions: The above internal application materials should be submitted as a single .PDF file via email to limsub@uga.edu by 11:59pm on the listed internal deadline.

SEC Member Universities

• University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Auburn University – Auburn, Alabama
• University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida
• University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
• University of Kentucky – Lexington, Kentucky
• Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) – Oxford, Mississippi
• Mississippi State University – Starkville, Mississippi
• University of Missouri – Columbia, Missouri
• University of South Carolina – Columbia, South Carolina
• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Tennessee
• Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
• Vanderbilt University – Nashville, Tennessee

Please submit all questions to limsub@uga.edu.

---

View our calendar for all Current and Closed Limited Submissions.
Subscribe to our listerv to receive weekly internal competition announcements.
What is a Limited Submission?

• Sponsor: Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
• Internal Deadline: November 12, 2020
• Sponsor Deadline: January 6, 2021
• Link: https://www.orau.org/university-partnerships/member-grant-programs/powe/index.html

Summary

The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards provide seed money for research by junior faculty at Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) member institutions that often result in additional funding from other sources. These awards are intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty and result in new funding opportunities.

Full-time assistant professors within two years of their initial tenure track appointment (1/08/2018 through 1/08/2020) at the time of application at an ORAU member institution are eligible.

Research projects must fall within one of these five disciplines:

1. Engineering and Applied Science
2. Life Sciences
3. Mathematics/Computer Sciences
4. Physical Sciences
5. Policy, Management, or Education

Applicants are encouraged to develop research collaborations with government, private-sector, and other academic researchers. Such alliances enrich and extend not only the reach of your efforts, but the nation’s research enterprise, overall.

Because of the close working relationship between ORAU and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the Award Committee particularly encourages collaborative interaction with ORNL. Thus, substantive interdisciplinary research and inter-institutional research partnerships will be considered as very positive factors in the review process, and will increase chances for success.

Please read the full program announcement linked above before preparing your internal application.

Award Amount

• $5,000 USD

Funding is provided exclusively from non-federal monies by ORAU. The award amount provided by ORAU is $5,000. The applicant’s institution is required to match the award with at least an additional $5,000. This is a one-year grant (June 1 to May 31).

This award can include funds for faculty summer salary, graduate student salary, travel, equipment, or other assistance relevant to the faculty member’s research. ORAU does not allow overhead charges or indirect costs on the ORAU grant award or the university match.

Eligibility

Full-time assistant professors at ORAU member institutions within two years of their initial tenure track appointment at the time of application are eligible. If there is a question on eligibility, the ORAU Councilor makes the final decision.

Selection Criteria

• Scientific/technical merit
• Proposed method/approach
• Applicant’s research performance competence/adequacy of facilities/resources to conduct the proposed research
• Likelihood research will lead to fundable research and/or publishable work
• Overall quality of application

Limitation Details

Each ORAU member institution may submit up to 2 applications per year.

If you are interested in submitting for this program, you must first submit an internal application to limsub@uga.edu according to the required instructions below.

Internal Applications must include the following:

• A cover page that contains
  • The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal
  • Your name, position, and UGA office contact information
  • Collaborator names, positions, and institutions
  • Title and specific discipline(s) of research project (Engineering and Applied Science; Life Sciences; Mathematics/Computer Sciences; Physical Sciences; Policy, Management, or Education)
  • Date of your initial tenure track appointment at UGA (must be between 01/08/2018 and 01/08/2020)
  • Indicate whether or not you have submitted to this program in the past. If so, please provide a copy of the review at the end of the internal application.

• A summary of the research project (maximum two pages) that demonstrates clear objectives, expected outcomes and relevance to this program
• One paragraph describing why you would be the most competitive candidate for this program
• A CV that includes a list of publications

Internal Selection

Limited Submission announcements often generate multiple competing proposals.  UGA reviewers judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put their best foot forward.  Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria.

Internal Submission Instructions

The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to limsub@uga.edu by 11:59pm on the internal deadline listed above.

Questions?

Please submit questions regarding the internal competition to limsub@uga.edu.

---

View our calendar for all Current and Closed Limited Submissions.
Subscribe to our listerv to receive weekly internal competition announcements.
What is a Limited Submission?

• Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Internal Deadline: November 27, 2020
• Sponsor Deadline: February 4, 2021
• Link: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/secondary-education-two-year-postsecondary-education-and-agriculture-k-12

Summary

The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seeks to: (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food and agriculture sciences in order to help ensure the existence of a workforce in the United States that’s qualified to serve the food and agriculture sciences system; and (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agriculture sciences in order to advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agriculture sciences.

The purpose of the SPECA program is to award grants to: 1) Enhance the quality of K-14 instruction in order to help meet current and future national food and agricultural sciences workplace needs; 2) Increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue and complete a 2 or 4-year degree in the food and agricultural sciences; 3) Promote and strengthen secondary education and 2-year postsecondary education in agriscience and agribusiness in order to help ensure the existence in the United States of a qualified workforce to serve the food and agricultural sciences system; and 4) Promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, 2-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences in order to promote excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences.

Please read the full program announcement before preparing your internal application.

Award Amount

• Regular Grant: $50,000
• Collaborative Type 1 Grant: $150,000
• Collaborative Type 2 Grant: $300,000
• The anticipated amount available for SPECA in FY2021 is approximately $800,000. This RFA is being released prior to the passage of an appropriations act for FY 2021. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program.

Eligibility

• Applicants for the SPECA must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may only be submitted by: (1) public secondary schools, (2) public or private nonprofit junior and community colleges, (3) institutions of higher education, or (4) nonprofit organizations (Attach IRS 501(c)(3) status under R&R ‘Other Project Information’ Field 12 Other Attachments).

Selection Criteria

• Potential for Advancing Quality of Education/Significance of the Problem. This criterion is used to assess the likelihood that the project will have an impact upon and advance the quality of food and agricultural sciences by strengthening institutional capacities to meet clearly delineated needs. Elements considered include institutional long-range goals, identification of a problem or opportunity to be addressed, justification for the project, innovation, advancing educational equity, multidisciplinary and/or problem-based focus, and potential for adoption by other institutions/organizations. The proposed project must also show its relevance to the goals of the SPECA Program of increasing the number, diversity, and quality of the food and agricultural sciences workforce. Potential project impacts must be stated
• Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages. This criterion relates to the soundness of the proposed approach including objectives, methodology, plan of operation, timetable, expected products and results, evaluation, and dissemination plans. The project evaluation plan must state the methodologies to be used in assessing the accomplishment of stated products, results and measurable impacts from the project. The approach must be based on sound research concepts and educational principles and may be documented through background literature or actual institutional data. Emphasis is placed on the quality of educational or research support provided to the applicant institution/organization through its partnerships and collaborative initiatives, and on the potential cooperative linkages likely to evolve as a result of this project. Any perceived pitfalls and alternative strategies or approaches are addressed.
• Institutional Capability and Capacity Building. This criterion relates to the institution’s capability to perform the project and the degree to which the project will strengthen its teaching or research capacity. Elements include the institution’s commitment to the project, the adequacy of institutional resources (administrative, facilities, equipment, and/or materials) available to carry out the project, potential for academic or research enhancement, and plans for project continuation or expansion beyond the period of USDA support. Include institutional data (i.e., financial, personnel and physical resources available to support the project could all be potential data provided by the applicant, depending upon the particular Need Area) to show the institution’s ability to support the proposed project.
• Key Personnel. This criterion relates to the adequacy of the number, qualifications and expertise of key persons who will develop and carry out the project, and the qualifications of project personnel who will provide for the assessment of project results and impacts and the dissemination of these findings. Specific roles for each key personnel must be defined to ensure appropriate project leadership and to avoid any duplication of effort. For a CG2 proposal, qualifications and expertise of key persons representing all contributors should be included. Such expertise should address all critical activities of the CG2 project.
• Budget and Cost-Effectiveness. This criterion relates to the extent to which the total budget adequately supports the project and is cost effective. Elements considered include the necessity and reasonableness of costs to carry out project activities and achieve project objectives; the appropriateness of budget allocations between the applicant and any collaborating institution(s); the adequacy of time committed to the project by key project personnel; and the degree to which the project maximizes the use of limited resources, optimizes educational value for the dollar, achieves economies of scale, leverages additional funds, and focuses expertise and activity on high-priority educational or research need areas.

Limitation Details

An Institution may submit one proposal.

If you are interested in submitting for this program, you must first submit an internal application to limsub@uga.edu according to the required instructions below.

Internal Applications must include the following:

• A cover page listing
  • The name of this funding opportunity and title of your proposal
  • Project Type: Regular, Collaborative Grant Type 1, or Collaborative Grant Type 2)
  • Your name, UGA position, home department, email, and UGA contact information
  • Collaborator names, positions, and institutions (if any)
  • Indicate whether or not you have submitted to this program in the past. If so, please provide a copy of the review at the end of the internal application.
• A (maximum two-page) proposal summary that addresses the program’s specific selection criteria.
• One paragraph describing why this proposal should be UGA’s submission (i.e., why it will be the most competitive for this program)
• A two-page Curriculum vitae

Internal Selection

Limited Submission announcements often generate multiple competing proposals.  UGA reviewers judge proposals as they would in any peer review process, so PIs are urged to put their best foot forward.  Along with typical criteria, reviewers will evaluate internal proposals based on their fit with the sponsor’s articulated goals and criteria.

Internal Submission Instructions

The above internal application materials should be submitted via email as a single .PDF file to limsub@uga.edu by the internal deadline listed above.

Questions?

Please submit questions regarding the internal competition to limsub@uga.edu.

For questions directly related to this program, please contact the following program officers:

Carlos Ortiz, PhD

Phone: (202) 445-5594

Email: carlos.ortiz@usda.gov

---

View our calendar for all Current and Closed Limited Submissions.
Subscribe to our listerv to receive weekly internal competition announcements.
What is a Limited Submission?