Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
RESEARCH SUPPORT FUNDS GRANT
(RSFG)
Guidelines and Application
Questions regarding the RSFG internal funding mechanism should be directed to Etta Ward at
emward@iupui.edu or 278-8427.
Revised 7/13
GUIDELINES
The Research Support Funds Grant (RSFG) program is designed to enhance the research
mission of IUPUI by providing seed funding for research projects and scholarly activities that are
sustainable through external funding. RSFG grantees are required to submit proposals for
external funding.
ELIGIBILITY
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All full-time tenure-track faculty having an appointment of Assistant Professor and above
are eligible to apply.
Faculty in visiting ranks and research scientist ranks are not eligible.
FUNDING AND PROJECT DURATION
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Project funding may not exceed $35,000.
Projects will be limited to one (1) year in duration. Projects that can’t be completed in one (1)
year will not be funded.
Faculty salary cannot be supported through this mechanism except for faculty on a 10month appointment who can request up to one month of support.
Travel expenses are not allowed unless necessary for completion of the proposed work.
New hires (hired within the last five (5) years) with more than $25,000 of their startup
support remaining are ineligible for RSFG support. The amount of remaining startup funds
needs to be confirmed in a letter from the department chair (Appendix).
Funds will not be granted for similar projects currently supported by other internal or external
funding mechanisms at the campus or university level.
An investigator may not serve as PI or Co-PI on more than one RSFG proposal in a given
round.
Applications for a second RSFG for the same project or research will not be accepted.
Previous RSFG awardees are ineligible to receive an additional RSFG award unless they
have met the requirements in their RSFG award letter (i.e. submitted a final report,
submitted evidence of an external submission based in part on work from the previous
RSFG award).
Priority will be given to applicants who have not received RSFG funding in the past.
Previous awardees need to describe how RSFG funding has resulted in external research
funding.
CATEGORIES
A. This category is restricted to Assistant Professors. Priority will be given to applicants who
are in the process of revising applications that have previously been submitted for external
funding. The entire summary statement from the external granting agency review committee,
including the score, must be included in the Appendix. A clear description of how RSFG funds
will be used to address reviewers’ concerns and strengthen the resubmission must also be
included in the Appendix.
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Applicants are strongly encouraged to have their RSFG proposal reviewed by one or more
senior colleagues for feedback and improvements before submission.
B. This category is designed to provide “bridge funding” for faculty who have lost extramural
funding in the past twelve (12) months, or will lose their extramural funding within six (6) months
of the RSFG application deadline (to be confirmed in a letter from the department chair;
Appendix). The purpose is to provide short-term support for maintenance of ongoing research
efforts while the investigator is responding to reviewers’ comments on a prior grant submission.
Evidence must be provided to demonstrate efforts to re-establish funding in the form of a
summary statement with priority scores from the granting agency (Appendix). Eligible requests
for RSFG bridge funding are restricted to proposals with a competitive score (NIH: 25th
percentile; NSF: scores of “very good” and above). A clear description of how RSFG funds will
be used to address reviewers’ concerns and strengthen the resubmission must be included in
the body of the proposal.
PIs who have submitted a proposal for extramural funding but who have not been reviewed
yet should not submit an RSFG proposal until there is clear evidence that funding was
denied. Priority will be given to investigators who have a track record of external funding.
Faculty interested in bridge funding who do not meet the above criteria should contact
OVCR prior to submitting an RSFG proposal.
C. This category is designed to promote new collaborative research projects between
investigators from different IUPUI schools or departments. Collaborators must be Co-PI’s who
need to contribute equally to the proposed project. New scientific approaches, designs, or
research strategies that will be used in the proposed work, or made available as a result of the
collaboration, must be clearly stated.
Past or current collaborators are eligible to apply in this category as long as the proposed project
can be considered to be a new one. However, priority will be given to applicants who have not
collaborated on any externally funded project.
D. This category is designed to provide matching support for the purchase of major equipment
that is not currently available at the campus level and will be shared by several faculty members
from different departments and schools. Purchase of the equipment should increase the
likelihood of external funding. Proposals in this category will have to demonstrate a dollar for
dollar cost share from the school, department or unit. A full length proposal is not required for
this category (see Application Instructions below).
Application Instructions:
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Investigators should be aware that reviewers outside of their designated research area
may be reviewing the proposals. Therefore, it is important to write the proposal in a
manner understandable to non-content experts.
Use standard paper size 8 ½ x 11 with at least 1/2 inch margins.
Use an Arial, Helvetica, Palatino Linotype, or Georgia typeface, a black font color, and a
font size of 11 points or larger. Charts, grafts, figures and so on may be in color.
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Section 1
Face Page: A copy of the IRB, IACUC and/or IBC form must be included in
the Appendix when these forms are required to conduct the proposed work.
For projects requiring initial IRB, IACUC or IBC approval, OVCR uses the
Just-In-Time procedure.
Section 2
Abstract Page, Categories A, B, and C: State the proposal’s long-term
objectives and specific aims. Describe concisely the research design and
methods for achieving these objectives. Avoid summaries of past
accomplishments and the use of the first person. The abstract is meant to serve
as a succinct and accurate description of the proposed work when separated
from the application. Do not include proprietary/confidential information. Keep
the abstract to a half page.
Following the abstract, list all key personnel and their affiliations. Identify the
category in which you are applying and clearly explain how this proposal meets
the requirements.
Category D: No abstract is required.
Section 3
Response to Reviewers
For resubmission of RSFG proposals only. A summary, not to exceed one
(1) page of responses to the reviewers’ concerns and changes made in the
revised proposal. A copy of the reviewers’ comments must be included in the
Appendix. Update the status of external funding of the principal investigator.
Section 4
Budget Page: See budget page below. Note: None of the RSFG funds shall
be allocated to non-IUPUI collaborators.
Section 5
Budget Justification Page
Categories A, B, and C: Limit budget justification to two (2) pages. Describe
the role of each individual on the project and list their %FTE on the project
(including %FTE on the project not covered by RSFG funds). List each item
of equipment with amount requested separately and justify each purchase.
Itemize supplies in separate categories, such as glassware, chemicals,
radioisotopes, etc. If animals are to be purchased, state the species and the
number to be used. Only list travel that is necessary to conduct research and
justify. For category C: Clearly identify each collaborator’s share of the
budget.
Category D: Limit budget justification to two (2) pages. Describe the piece of
equipment requested, including manufacturer and model number. The model
chosen should be justified by comparing its performance with other available
equipment where appropriate. Specific features and any accessories should
be justified. An itemized quote, with appropriate discount from a vendor if
applicable, is required (Appendix).
Section 6
Biographical Sketch Page: A biosketch must be included for all key
personnel. Use the NIH format including the “Personal Statement”. Limit
biographical sketch to four (4) pages. List all current and pending internal and
external research support, as well as past support for the previous three
4
years. The NIH form and biosketch sample are available at
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html.
Section 7a
Research Plan for categories A, B, and C applicants only:
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The Research Plan is limited to a total of five (5) pages.
Research Plans longer than five (5) pages will not be reviewed.
The Research Plan should include the following chapters:
Introduction: Review relevant prior work and identify the gaps that the project is
intended to fill. Describe the rationale for the proposed study and state the overall
objective. Clearly state the importance and relevance of the proposed work (e.g.,
to test the stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem,
challenge an existing paradigm, address a critical barrier to progress in the field
or develop a new technology). Discuss any novel ideas or contributions that the
project offers.
Specific Aims: List the specific aims for the proposed project and relate them to
the broad, long-term goals of the project.
Preliminary Data: Describe any preliminary results that support the proposed
project.
Design and Methods: Describe the research design, conceptual or clinical
framework, and procedures that will be used to accomplish the specific aims of
the project. Describe the approach to be used for data analyses and
interpretation. Justification for sample size, including power calculations should
be included. Provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project. If clinical
studies are involved, give details of responsibility for patient selection and patient
care.
Future Funding/Sustainability: Provide a detailed explanation of how this
project (and future projects based on it) can be sustained through external
funding sources. This must include a timetable for submission and the
identification of the specific funding opportunity and agency.
For Categories A (who submitted an external proposal) and B: Describe how
the proposed research will address the reviewers’ comments and thus increase
the likelihood of external funding upon resubmission.
For Category C: Describe the collaboration and the role of each PI on the
project. How will the IP be shared?
Consultants and non-IUPUI collaborators (if applicable): Provide letters of
support (Appendix).
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Section 7b
Equipment Plan for category D applicants only:
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The Equipment Plan is limited to a total of three (3) pages.
Equipment Plans longer than three (3) pages will not be reviewed.
Explain how the equipment will support ongoing research and contribute to the
securement of new external funding. Name the faculty who will use the
equipment, provide a succinct description of their research projects and current
funding for those projects. If there is a large number of users only describe a
select group of projects. Include sufficient technical detail to evaluate whether the
requested equipment is appropriate. If similar equipment is available on campus,
explain why it is unavailable or inappropriate. The need for special features and
accessories must be justified. Provide a realistic estimate of the projected usage
of the requested equipment. Describe the technical expertise present to set up,
run and maintain the instrument. Specify who will operate the equipment and
train new users. Explain how maintenance costs for the equipment will be
covered.
Following the equipment plan list all key faculty and their affiliations (not part of
the 3 page limit).
Section 8
References: Use the NIH or NSF format to cite your literature. See page 3 of
the NIH Biosketch sample referenced in Section 6. The references do not count
toward the 5 page limit for the research plan.
Section 9
Appendix
A copy of the IRB, IACUC and/or IBC form must be included when these
forms are required to conduct the proposed work. If awarded, no funds will
be transferred without the proper approvals.
Letters of support from the Department Chair, consultants and non-IUPUI
collaborators must be included. The Chair’s letter must certify that the
applicant meets the startup support limitations for new faculty (Categories A,
B, and C), or the need for bridge funding (Category B).
Submission of a revised RSFG application must include a copy of the
reviewers’ comments on the prior proposal.
Investigators responding to an external submission review applying for
category A (Assistant Professors) or B (“bridge funding”), must include the
entire summary statement from the external granting agency review
committee including the score.
For categories A, B, and C: Describe the facilities available for this project
including laboratories, clinical resources, office space, animal quarters, major
items of equipment available for this work, etc.
For category D: Include a vendor’s itemized quote for the piece of equipment to
be purchased.
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POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS
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If an award is made, a final report must be submitted to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for
Research within 30 days of the termination of the award period. Additional follow-up
information may be requested outside of the final report submission requirement, to
determine the ongoing efficacy of the RSFG mechanism.
Grant recipients are reminded to acknowledge receipt of RSFG support in any presentation
or publication of work funded by an RSFG grant.
Requests for a one (1) year no cost extension must be approved by the Vice Chancellor for
Research.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
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Submission due dates are April 15th and October 15th.
Submit your application in PDF format via email attachment to: ovcr@iupui.edu.
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IUPUI Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Leave blank-for internal use only
Research Support Funds Grant Application
Name
Campus Address
Rank/Title
Email Address
School
Telephone Number
Department
Fax Number
Title of Project
Keywords
RSFG Category for which you are applying
Amount Requested
(choose one)
A
B
C
D
Project Dates
Performance Site(s)
Research Risk (double-click on the box, use the default value buttons) Include a copy of the approval form in the Appendix.
YES
NO
Human Subjects IRB Study # and Approval Date:
Animals
IACUC Study # and Approval Date:
Biosafety (rDNA) IBC Study # and Approval Date:
Is this a revised RSFG application?
Yes
No
Do you agree to the selection of non-IUPUI
reviewers if content experts can’t be identified on
campus?
Yes
No
If yes, see instructions for
Section 1.
Principal Investigator Assurance
The undersigned agrees to accept responsibility for the scientific and technical conduct of the research project
and for submission of the final report.
Signature of Principal Investigator
Date
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Section 2 Abstract Page
Key Personnel:
Start with Principal Investigator and list all key personnel, including name, organization, and role on project.
Identify the category in which you are applying and clearly explain how this proposal meets the
requirements (Categories A, B, and C only).
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Section 3 Response to reviewers
For RSFG proposal resubmissions only.
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Section 4 Budget
BUDGET
FROM
PERSONNEL (Applicant organization only)
ROLE ON
PROJECT
NAME
TYPE
APPT.
(month
s)
%
EFFOR
T
ON
PROJ.
THROUGH
DOLLAR AMOUNT REQUESTED (omit cents)
INST.
BASE
SALARY
SALARY
REQUESTE
D
FRINGE
BENEFITS
TOTAL
Principal
Investigator
SUBTOTALS
CONSULTANT COSTS
EQUIPMENT (Itemize)
SUPPLIES (Itemize by category)
TRAVEL
PATIENT CARE COSTS
INPATIENT
OUTPATIENT
ALTERATIONS AND RENOVATIONS (Itemize by category)
OTHER EXPENSES (Itemize by category)
TOTAL COSTS
$
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Section 5 Budget Justification
Section 6 Biographical Sketch
Section 7 Research/Equipment Plan
Section 8 References
Section 9 Appendix
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Facilities description
Letters of support from Chair, consultants and non-IUPUI collaborators
IRB, IACUC, IBC approval forms if applicable
Reviewer comments to prior RSFG application or external submissions if applicable
Itemized vendor’s quote if applicable