Applications & Guidelines

Guidelines for Summer Proposals including
Preparation of Proposals for Major Grants

Categories for Proposals

There are now three opportunities for summer grants.

1. Basic and Applied Research:
   1. Data collection, i.e., empirical studies where data collection via surveys, observation, experiments, interviews, or case studies will be initiated during the summer. Preliminary conceptualizations and operational measures are to be completed and submitted as part of proposal. Specific timelines and periodic progress reporting will be required, as will expected publication outlet(s). Preliminary report expected by September 1st. Initial submission to conference and/or journal expected within 12 months.
   2. Manuscript development, i.e., conceptual studies, research cases, or empirical studies using already collected primary data or secondary data. Progress report expected by September 1st. Working paper to be available by the end of the Fall semester; submission to conference, journal, book editor, or other publication outlet expected by start of Spring semester.

   3. Conference paper, i.e., a completed manuscript that has been submitted to and accepted by a reviewed conference that is scheduled by September 1st. Manuscript, acceptance letter, and an expense budget (same as used during the regular academic year) to be required.

2. Pedagogical:
   1. Teaching cases, i i.e., case analysis and teaching notes based on already collected primary data or secondary data. Specific timelines and periodic progress reporting will be required, as will expected publication outlet(s). Working paper to be available during Fall semester; submission to conference, journal, book editor, or other publication outlet expected by start of Spring semester.
   2. Textbook, chapter, or teaching aid. Specific timelines and periodic progress reporting will be required, as will expected publication or other outlet(s). Working paper or evidence of progress-to-date to be available during Fall semester; submission to publication outlet expected by the later of publisher's deadline or start of Spring semester.
   3. Software development. Specific timelines and periodic progress reporting will be required, as will expected publication or other outlet(s). Working paper or evidence of progress-to-date to be available during Fall semester; submission to publication or other outlet expected by the later of publisher's deadline or start of Spring semester.

   4. Creations,i.e., musical compositions, paintings, creative writings with submission for publication or gallery showing by September 1st.

   ELIGIBILITY for 1 & 2 ABOVE:

   • Tenure-track junior faculty with demonstrated potential for research.
   • Tenured faculty, with demonstrated research productivity over previous two years, partnering with category one above.
     
   • Tenured faculty.

   REVIEW PROCESS FOR 1 & 2 ABOVE:

   • Awards will be made on the basis of comprehensively written proposals. Preference will be given to proposals written by junior faculty that indicate likelihood of success over the following academic year. Senior faculty may submit proposals when partnered with junior faculty members.
   • A faculty committee chosen to provide balance among the various schools will review all proposals. Membership of the committee should be restricted to faculty with demonstrated competence in research.
     The standards listed below will be used to evaluate each proposal. The standards carry equal weight.
     • Rigor/ thoroughness of proposal
     • Likelihood of being completed
     • Likelihood of publication (if case study, research or pedagogical paper)
     • Overall impact for the University
3. Preparation of Proposals for Major Grants
   • Purpose - To foster a relationship with the Office of Sponsored Programs ("OSP") and to encourage MSU principal investigators to formulate proposals for sponsored funding that require major efforts of coordinating ideas and drafting the proposal. Such programs as the NSF centers or the NIH program project grants are examples of programs that require major proposals.
   • Note - We will only review proposals that are responding to a Request for Proposals or an agency's request for an unsolicited proposal. OSP is an excellent resource for locating programs that require major proposals.
   • Deadline - The writing process should be completed within one year with a draft of the final proposal submitted to the OSP to the Attention of Dr. De Lois Powell.
   • Requirements - An application must be submitted to the Office of Faculty Professional Development ("OFPD") and must contain the following information:
     • Submit no more than a five (5) page description of the content/idea that is at the heart of the external proposal;
     • Give the exact period of time in which the proposal will be written;
     • Indicate the agency or agencies to which the proposal will be sent;
     • Offer requirements that the proposal must meet for the agency to fund it;
     • Identify two or more eligible persons who must be involved as principals;
     • Estimate the total amount of sponsored funding that will be requested from the agency (this amount must be significant);
     • Give information on the matching fund requirements of the sponsoring agency (if the full proposal will require commitment of matching funds by the appropriate departments/ colleges/ centers in addition to central funds, then identify potential matching funds);
     • Give a list of sponsored funding obtained by principal and each co-principal investigator during the past five years, by funding source and amount;
     • Provide an itemized budget for the funds needed to support the preparation of the proposal; each item in the budget must be specifically justified.

     • Show the relationship with OSP by having your OSP school representative sign your submission to OFPD. The PI must show evidene of attending a proposal/grant writing workshop (one provided by OFPD or HRSA or its equivalent).

Criteria for Assessment of Applications for number 3 above- The following priorities will be considered in assessing the strength of an application for funding to develop a full proposal:

• proposals judged by a review panel to have special merit have priority;
• groups of investigators, where the role of each is vital, will be favored;
  groups with proven track records in getting funding will be favored;
• groups with clarity of funding source and requirements will be favored;
• interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary groups will be favored;
• proposals clearly in support of MSU's mission and the school/department's goals and objectives will be favored; and

• show intellectual merit and social impact.

Process for Obtaining Support and Timetable for number 3 above: To request support for preparing a proposal, submit an application to the OFPD anytime. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding permits. Every effort will be made to respond timely. Each application will be examined for completeness and then will be submitted to the OFPD Committee and the OSP representative.

Possible Use of Funds:

Summer salary support for authors;
Secretarial support;
Professional writer to polish the proposal;
Travel to collaborating institutions;
Travel to funding source, if important;
Consultant's fees; and
Limited supplies.

REQUIRED REPORTS FOR 1, 2 & 3 ABOVE:

Faculty who receive funds are REQUIRED to do a preliminary and a final report describing the progress and/or completion of the project.