As researchers, we are always on the lookout for funding opportunities. Faculty at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) are often tasked with the complicated challenge of finding ways to generate funds to support their undergraduate research efforts. Here I have provided some key insights into the realm of PUI funding opportunities.
There are three common avenues of funding looked at by PUI faculty:
- National Science Foundation (NSF) – RUI / ROA
The Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) funding opportunities support research by faculty members at PUIs. RUI proposals support PUI faculty in research that engages them in their professional field(s), builds capacity for research at their institution, and supports the integration of research and undergraduate education. ROAs similarly support PUI faculty research, but these awards typically allow faculty to work as visiting scientists at research-intensive organizations where they collaborate with other NSF-supported investigators. There are no stated budget limits for your RUI proposal. However, it is recommended that when thinking about the budget for your RUI, ask for what you need in context to the project. It is important to mention that an RUI is not for obtaining major equipment. However, some programs may consider proposals requesting funds for shared research instrumentation. You may request funding for smaller equipment not available but necessary for the completion of the project. If a large piece of equipment is needed, you may want to look into applying for a Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Award through NSF.
What is the review process for an RUI? At NSF, RUIs are reviewed with regular proposals in the same review panel. There are instructions given to each reviewer to take into account the PI is at a PUI (i.e., no graduate students, slower publication rate, limited instrumentation, etc). For more details, please look at the NSF website https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5518 and program solicitation online, NSF 14-579, which provides a detailed description of the program and eligibility.
If an RUI/ROA is not for you, look into The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program. This program offers prominent NSF awards in support of early-career faculty.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) – NIH Research Enhancement Award (R15)
The NIH Research Enhancement Award includes the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA)/R15 Program for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions. The AREA/R15 program supports small-scale research projects in the biomedical and behavioral sciences conducted at educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the nation’s research scientists, but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. The main goals of the R15 program are to support meritorious research, expose students to research, and to strengthen the research environment of your institution. The project period is limited to up to three years and the R15 funding budget is the amount of direct costs — limited to $300,000 — over the entire project period.
What is the review process for a R15? At NIH, R15s are reviewed together in a study session. For more details, please look at the NIH website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r15.htm and funding opportunity announcement (FOA) number PAR-18-174, which provides detailed descriptions of the program and institutional eligibility. The funding success rate of the R15 program is 18 percent.
- Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) – Cottrell Scholar Award.
There are specific guidelines and a deadline of July 1 for the Cottrell Scholar Award. Eligible applicants for the Cottrell Scholar Award are tenure-track faculty who hold primary or courtesy appointments in chemistry, physics, or astronomy departments that offer bachelor's and/or graduate degrees in the applicant's discipline. You must also be in your third year of a tenure-track position. For example: For the 2020 proposal cycle, eligibility is limited to faculty members who started their first tenure-track appointment anytime in calendar year 2017. RCSA notes accommodations are made for faculty who have taken maternity or paternity leave, or who have experienced medical conditions that prompted a tenure clock extension. To request an eligibility extension, you will need to contact the program director. The proposal submission includes both a research plan and detailed education plan. RCSA is looking for proposals to include modern scientific approaches through innovative and cutting edge research with an emphasis on teaching. Cottrell Scholar Awards are for three-year projects in the amount of $100,000 for the project. A budget is not required, and no budget page is included in the proposal. The funds may be spent by the PI as they wish to support both the research and educational projects proposed. There is a thorough three-step proposal review process of Cottrell Scholar Awards. Proposals (PUIs and RO1s) are all looked at together in the same review process. After a proposal has been received and processed, program directors evaluate the teaching plan. Those that pass this review are sent out for external peer review of both research and teaching plans. Lastly, when a proposal has the appropriate complement of reviews, a selection committee evaluates the proposal in light of its reviews and then makes the final recommendation. In the review process, both PUIs and R1 universities are all placed together in the same applicant pool and review process. The funding success rate is 14 percent. The application for the Cottrell Scholar Award is a one-time opportunity to apply. For more details, please look at the RCSA website, https://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars/cottrell-scholar-award, which provides a detailed description of the program and eligibility.
Common Funding Questions/Pointers
- When is the best time to submit your proposal?
Look into the specific program you are applying to and pay attention to guidelines and deadlines. Adhere to any deadlines that have been set by each specific funding agency. If no deadlines are set, you can submit when you are ready. The whole process takes a lot of time, so be sure to be patient.
- How soon to contact program officers?
It is highly recommended for prospective PIs interested in applying for funding to contact program officers early on in the application process. This will help get you to the correct NSF program officer or NIH institute for the proper funding of your research, as well as assist in determining the feasibility of your project and timing. While looking into funding programs, read the funding announcements carefully to help you find the suitable program. From here, it is suggested that you reach out to a program officer via email. You may ask questions such as Can I send you my specific aims? Can I send you a short proposal? Could I schedule a conference call to discuss your program and my eligibility? etc. Once you identify the program manager that may fit best, this is a great time to send a 1 – 2 page proposal to see if your work is suitable for their program. This will allow the program officer to provide feedback regarding the fit. If the work is not appropriate for their program, the program officer will be able to better direct you to other program officers. By directly contacting the program officers, you are allowing yourself the opportunity to find the best program and fit for your research!
- How much preliminary data is needed in my proposal?
You will need to show your project has merit with preliminary data. A key is to find a happy medium:You do not want to propose a completed project; rather, you want to show evidence of the progression of a project and display a story being told. You can use one aim to build on the other. It is important to show the reviewers a little bit of your work and intrigue them about your project.
Elizabeth Yates – United States Naval Academy