New: Small Grant Program
The Community-Engaged Public Scholarship Initiative (CEPSI) small grant program will award 7-10 recipients $7,500 each to support new or existing partnerships. The program seeks to recognize and support research that is cogenerated with community partners, is of mutual benefit, and has the potential to generate positive public impact. Grant funds can be used for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, student assistants, summer money, workshops and honorariums.
The application opens September 10, 2024 and closes November 1st, 2024 by 5pm.
Funding for Seed Translational Research Projects (STRPs)
Two faculty research projects will be selected each year of the grant (ten total) for up to $200,000.00 in direct funding for TR along one of two tracks.
Track One
Our market-oriented track will support faculty-led research projects that are oriented toward commercialization and traditional technology transfer work that identify innovations in the laboratory and move them efficiently to the marketplace (e.g. problem identification, innovation, intellectual property protection, industry collaboration, and translation through licensing or startups).
Track Two
Our community-engaged track addresses innovations in human systems, healthy ecosystems, public policymaking, and democratic governance. Faculty-led projects will partner with external organizations to better equip federal, state, local, tribal governments as well as NGOs, nonprofits and community organizations with the tools and networks to manage and respond to socio-economic and governance challenges.
TRANSFORM Grant FAQs
Common questions
How are the two tracks different?
Track one will support faculty-led research projects that are oriented toward commercialization and traditional technology transfer work that identify innovations in the laboratory and move them efficiently to the marketplace. Track two addresses innovations in a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that identify or create new resources (including methods, services, or technologies) with potential to promote social good (e.g., low-cost water filtration methods, wildfire monitoring systems). Faculty-led projects will partner with external organizations to co produce research that responds to real world challenges.
Will one grant be awarded for each track every year?
Yes, that is the intent. However, if one track lacks a qualified applicant, two may be awarded in the other track.
Can you have Co-PIs from other institutions?
Yes. If you want to pay the co-PI, it would be through a sub-award.
Does the budget plan need to go through OSP for approval from the college and the department?
Yes.
How mature should my on-going research project be in order to apply for the TRANSFORM grant?
The project should be “shovel ready,” meaning that you will be able to conduct research with your external partner over the 24-month grant period.
How developed does your relationship with community collaborators need to be before applying?
We expect you to have a relatively well developed relationship. This award doesn’t fund the development of relationships with external partners, but is intended to help catalyze and advance the co-development of research questions and solution-oriented work with an external partner. If you don’t have a strong relationship with an external partner, we would encourage you to develop one prior to applying for this award. Please reach out to our team if you have any questions about developing stronger ties with external partners.
What types of community support letters are you looking for in the application?
A commitment from the external partner(s) to work with your team on the proposed project. A description of previous collaborative work and/or role in the current project would strengthen the application. One page max.
How many grants will be offered?
Two per year over the four-year life of the grant plus two that were submitted within the proposal, for a total of ten.
How much are the grants for?
Up to $200,000.00 in direct costs.
How long do the grants last?
Up to two years, beginning August 1st of the award year.
Is there a recording of the information session that I can access?
Yes, the Zoom recording is available.