April 2016
Grant News
Office of Research &
Sponsored Programs
In this issue:
Funding Opportunities
____
_____
Visiting Scholar/Artist of Color Program (UWL)
Arts Writing Initiative (Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts)
Fichter Research Grants on Women and Religion (ASR)
Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions (NEH)
Economic Visiting Research Fellowships (AIER)
Education Research Grants (Spencer Foundation)
Fellowships & Research Grants (William T. Grant Foundation)
High Impact Human Resources Research (SHRM)
Social Research and Scholar Programs (Russell Sage Foundation)
STEM-Education, Literacy, Environment, and Job Training Grants (American Honda
Foundation)
Alcohol Education Project Grants (NIH)
Alternatives to Use of Lab Animals Research Grants (ARDF)
Breast Cancer Breakthrough Awards (DOD)
Cancer Research Education Grants Program (NIH)
Conference Grants (AHRQ)
Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants (AHRQ)
Retirement Research Grants (RRF)
Chemical Sciences Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions (Dreyfus Foundation)
Cyberlearning and Future Learning Technologies (NSF)
Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DOD)
Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program (Dreyfus Foundation)
Mathematics Travel Grants for Women Researchers (AWM)
NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program (DOC)
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF)
Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (DOD)
Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NSF)
Office of Research &
Sponsored Programs
Melissa Nielsen
Director
Email: mnielsen@uwlax.edu
Brittney Greeno
Grant Writer
Email: bgreeno@uwlax.edu
Grants 101____________________________________________________________________
Dr. Ray Block
Scholar Spotlight_____________________________________________________________
Dr. James Peirce
Latest News
Sydni Durrstein
Have You Met Paula?
Scholar Spotlight: Dr. Taviare Hawkins
______________________________
UWL WiSys Student Ambassador Information Session (with Donuts!), April 15
9th Annual Wisconsin Science & Technology Symposium to Be Held August 2 & 3
FY 17 Proposed Budget: US Department of Health and Human Services
FY 17 Proposed Budget: Department of State and USAID
NEH Announces Initiative to Protect Cultural Heritage
NIH Launched New Website on March 25
Recent Submissions & Awards
Faculty Fellow
Email: rblock@uwlax.edu
Faculty Fellow
Email: jpeirce@uwlax.edu
Program Assistant
Email: sdurrstein@uwlax.edu
Chandra Hawkins
Undergraduate Research &
Internal Grants Coordinator
Email: chawkins@uwlax.edu
(608) 785-8007 | 220 Morris
http://www.uwlax.edu/grants
Facebook | Scholar Connection
Email grants@uwlax.edu to
join the UW-L Interdisciplinary
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Grant News
2
Funding Opportunities________________________________________________
Visiting Scholar/Artist of Color Program
Funding agency: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) Provost Office
Program summary: All UWL faculty and academic staff are eligible to submit a proposal to bring a qualified
scholar/artist to visit campus during the academic year. Visits are restricted to the academic year to allow
significant interaction with students, faculty, and staff by the visiting scholar/artist. Travel costs and honoraria may
be requested in the grant application.
Deadline: July 11, 2016
Full description: http://www.uwlax.edu/Grants/Visiting-Scholar-/-Artist-of-Color-Program/
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Arts Writing Initiative
Funding agency: Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
Program summary: The foundation supports writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through
project-based grants that are issued directly to twenty individual authors a year. Awards typically range from
$15,000 to $50,000. The Arts Writers Grant Program aims to support the broad spectrum of writing on
contemporary visual art, from general-audience criticism to academic scholarship. Writers are invited to apply in
the following categories: Articles, Blogs, Books, New and Alternative Media, and Short-Form Writing.
Deadline: May 18, 2016
Full description: http://www.artswriters.org/
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Fichter Research Grants on Women and Religion
Funding agency: Association for the Sociology of Religion (ASR)
Program summary: Fichter Research Grants are awarded annually by ASR to members of the association involved
in promising sociological research on women in religion or on the intersection between religion and gender or
religion and sexualities. A total of $12,000 is available to be awarded annually. Although these grants are open to
scholars who are pursuing or currently have a PhD in a range of disciplines, the proposed research must be
sociological in nature. Applicants must also be members of the Association for the Sociology of Religion at the time
of application.
Deadline: May 1, 2016
Full description: http://www.sociologyofreligion.com/lectures-papers/fichter-research-grant-competition/
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Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
Funding agency: National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Program summary: NEH provides up to $6,000 to assist small and mid-size institutions, such as libraries, archives,
museums, and historical organizations to enhance their capacity to preserve humanities collections as used for
research, education, and public programming. Collections may include books, papers, maps, journals, photos,
moving pictures, recorded sounds, manuscripts, and others. Awards may be used for consultation, assessment,
training, supplies, and equipment. Limited submission of one application per institution per year.
Deadline: May 3, 2016
Full description: http://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-assistance-grants-smaller-institutions
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Grant News
3
Economic Visiting Research Fellowships
Funding agency: American Institute for Economic Research (AIER)
Program summary: AIER’s Visiting Research Fellowships support summer research in residence at the institute.
General areas of research interest include behavioral economics, business cycles, technology and innovation,
regional economics, and small-business economics. In particular, the institute is interested in specific research in
the areas of macroeconomics; personal finance and behavioral economics; housing finance; education and careers,
in particular, decision-making at the household level; and small business economics.
Deadlines: Fall term applications due May 1, 2016; spring term applications due October 1, 2016; and summer
term applications due February 1, 2017 (annually recurring)
Full description: https://www.aier.org/visiting-research-fellowship
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Education Research Grants
Funding agency: Spencer Foundation
Program summary: The Small Research Grants program supports education research projects with budgets of
$50,000 or less. This program aims to fund academic work that will contribute to the improvement of education,
broadly conceived. Historically, the work the foundation has funded through these grants has spanned a range of
topics and disciplines, including education, psychology, sociology, economics, history, and anthropology, and they
employ a wide range of research methods. The foundation funds projects under the broad areas of field-initiated
education research that doesn’t fit into other areas of funding; the relation between education and social
opportunity; teaching, learning, and instructional resources; the new civics; organizational learning schools, school
systems, and higher education systems; and purposes and values of education.
Deadlines: May 2, 2016; August 1, 2016; and November 1, 2016 (annually recurring)
Full description: http://www.spencer.org/small-research-grants-program-statement
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Fellowships & Research Grants
Funding agency: William T. Grant Foundation
Program summary: The William T. Grant Foundation supports grants for early and mid-career scholars’ research
that enhances understanding of how youth settings work; how they affect youth development; how they can be
improved; and when, how, and under what conditions research evidence is used. The Distinguished Fellow
Program enables researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to work in settings that are outside of their
traditional roles. Researchers immerse themselves in policy or practice settings and policymakers and practitioners
work in research settings. The Scholars Program supports mid-career professionals who propose research on
reducing inequality, clearly identify the dimension of inequality (e.g., race, ethnicity, economic standing, and/or
immigrant origins), and make a case for its importance. Research Grants support projects that use empirical theory
and evidence to increase our understanding of 1) programs, policies, and practices that reduce inequality in youth
outcomes; and 2) the use of research evidence in policy and practice.
Deadlines: Scholars Grants – LOI due July 6, 2016
Research Grants – LOI due May 5, 2016; August 4, 2016
Distinguished Fellows Grants – LOI due May 5, 2016
Full description: http://wtgrantfoundation.org/Grants
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Grant News
4
High Impact Human Resources Research
Funding agency: Society for Human Resource Management Foundation (SHRM)
Program summary: SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The
foundation supports high impact HR research, whether the focus is on addressing current challenges or
understanding emerging trends. The grant must be used for original, rigorous, and empirical academic research
projects that advance the HR profession or have clear applicability for HR practice. Grants are awarded up to
$200,000.
Deadlines: April 1, 2016; September 15, 2016
Full description: https://www.shrm.org/about/foundation/research/Pages/default.aspx
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Social Research and Scholar Programs
Funding agency: Russell Sage Foundation
Program summary: The foundation supports rigorous social scientific research as a means of diagnosing social
problems and improving social policies. In supporting this research, the foundation is dedicated to strengthening
the methods, data, and theoretical core of the social sciences. Presidential ($35,000 or less; cannot include
overhead) and Project (up to $150,000, including overhead) Awards support analyzing data and writing up results,
including innovative projects that collect or analyze new data to illuminate issues that are highly relevant to the
foundation’s program goals. The foundation encourages projects that are interdisciplinary and combine both
quantitative and qualitative research.
Deadlines: LOI for Social Inequality; Future of Work; Race, Ethnicity & Immigration; and Behavioral Economics due
June 15, 2016 and September 9, 2016
LOI for the Social, Economic, and Political Effects of the Affordable Care Act due March 30, 2016 and
October 31, 2016
Visiting Scholars applications due anytime between April 15-June 30, 2016
Full description: http://www.russellsage.org/how-to-apply
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STEM Education, Literacy, Environment, and Job Training Grants
Funding agency: American Honda Foundation
Program summary: The American Honda Foundation supports projects that meet the needs of youth education in
the STEM fields. Past funded projects have included job training and math, science, technology, and environmental
education improvement, including curriculum development. The foundation’s emphasis is on broad, innovative,
and forward-thinking projects with a national scope. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $75,000, and
submissions are limited to one application per 12-month period.
Deadlines: August 1, 2016; February 1, 2017 (annually recurring)
Full description: http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf
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Grant News
5
Alcohol Education Project Grants
Funding agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Program summary: The overarching goal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) R25
program is to foster a better understanding of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research and its implications. To
accomplish the stated overarching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus
on curriculum or methods development and outreach activities for health professionals.
Deadlines: May 25, 2016; September 25, 2016; January 25, 2017 (annually recurring)
Full description: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-054.html
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Alternatives to Use of Lab Animals Research Grants
Funding agency: Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF)
Program summary: ARDF provides up to $40,000 for individual projects at US colleges and universities that
develop effective alternatives to the traditional methods of using laboratory animals in basic research, testing, and
education. Preference given to projects that use human rather than non-human vertebrate tissue; do not use
serum or medium supplements obtained from non-human vertebrates; and can be completed in one year.
Emphasis is on application, not theory.
Deadline: May 2, 2016
Full description: http://www.ardf-online.org/
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Breast Cancer Breakthrough Awards
Funding agency: Department of Defense (DOD)
Program summary: The DOD supports innovative research aimed at eradicating breast cancer. This program
encourages applications that focus on poorly understood issues such as those related to susceptibility, recurrence,
or metastasis. Research supported by the Breakthrough Award will have the potential for a major impact and
accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer. The impact may be near-term or long-term but must be
significant and move beyond an incremental advancement. Applications must articulate the pathway to making a
clinical impact for individuals with, or at risk for, breast cancer, even if clinical impact is not an immediate
outcome. Two different funding levels, based on the scope of the research, are available under this program
announcement/funding opportunity.
Deadlines: Pre-application due April 21, 2016; full application due May 5, 2016
Full description: http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/bcrp.shtml
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Searching for funding?
UW-L faculty and staff have access to the Pivot and GRC GrantSearch databases, which detail funding
sources for all project types. Pivot can be accessed by setting up an individual account. To access GRC,
contact our office for the institutional log-in. Funding resources for your project are only a click away!
Grant News
6
Cancer Research Education Grants Program
Funding agency: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Program summary: The over-arching goal of this NCI research demonstration education program (R25) is to
support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s
biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. To accomplish the stated overarching goal, NCI will support
three focus areas: courses for skills development, curriculum or methods development, and research experiences.
Further descriptions of each area can be found at the links below.
Deadlines: May 25, 2016; September 25, 2016; January 25, 2017 (annually recurring)
Full descriptions:
Courses for Skills Development: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-151.html
Curriculum or Methods Development: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-150.html
Research Experiences: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-152.html
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Conference Grants
Funding agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Program summary: AHRQ provides up to $35,000 in direct costs for conference grants (R13) on issues relevant to
health services research in the following areas: research development (issues in practice or delivery of health
services are defined and research agenda for studying them developed); research design and methodology;
dissemination and implementation (research findings are summarized and communicated broadly); and research
training, infrastructure, and career development.
Deadlines: May 1, 2016; August 1, 2016; and November 1, 2016
Full description: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-017.html
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Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants
Funding agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Program summary: The Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grant (R18) is an award made by AHRQ to an
institution/organization to support a discrete, specified health services research project. The R18 research plan
proposed by the applicant institution/organization must be related to the mission and portfolio priority research
interests of AHRQ. The AHRQ mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more
ac­cessible, equitable and affordable, and to work with HHS and other partners to make sure that the evidence is
understood and used. Within the mission, AHRQ’s specific priority areas of focus are improving health care quality
by accelerating implementation of Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR); making healthcare safer;
increasing accessibility by evaluating expansions of insurance coverage; and improving health care affordability,
efficiency, and cost transparency.
Deadlines: May 25, 2016; September 25, 2016; January 25, 2017; and May 25, 2017
Full description: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-14-290.html#_Section_I._Funding
(Back to table of contents)
Need a Funding Finder Friend?
Let our Funding Finder team help you explore potential funding opportunities for your project. Fill
out the Funding Finder survey to learn about the funding search resources you can access directly
and request a customized funding search conducted by the Funding Finders.
Grant News
7
Retirement Research Grants
Funding agency: Retirement Research Foundation (RRF)
Program summary: RRF supports services, education, research, and advocacy projects related to the elderly and
their retirement. Priority projects will have regional or national impact. Requests for support of projects focusing
on advocacy, research, education, or training will be considered from anywhere in the US. Funding for direct
service projects with no potential to change practice, policy, or delivery systems is limited to nonprofit agencies in
IL, IN, IA, KY, MO, WI, FL. If considering a multi-year request, contact foundation staff before submitting proposal.
The submission of a letter of inquiry (LOI) is suggested.
Deadlines: May 1, 2016; August 1, 2016; and February 1, 2017 (annually recurring)
Full description: http://www.rrf.org/grants/responsive-grants
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Chemical Sciences Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions
Funding agency: Dreyfus Foundation
Program summary: The Jean Dreyfus Boissevain Lectureship for Undergraduate Institutions awards support
proposals to bring a leading researcher to a primarily undergraduate institution to give a series of lectures in the
chemical sciences. The lecturer is expected to substantially interact with undergraduate students and faculty over
the period of the visit. The foundation will provide funds to host the speaker and support summer research
opportunities for two undergraduate students. Eligible departments grant a BS or MS degree in chemistry, but not
a PhD. The award total is $18,500, and there is a limited submission of one application per institution.
Deadline: May 18, 2016
Full description: http://www.dreyfus.org/awards/jean_dreyfus_boissevain.shtml
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Cyberlearning and Future Learning Technologies
Funding agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Program summary: This program integrates opportunities offered by emerging technologies with advances in what
is known about how people learn to advance three interconnected aims: innovation; advancing understanding of
how people learn in technology-rich learning environments; and promoting broad use and transferability of new
genres. Proposals are expected to address all three aims. It is expected that research funded by this program will
shed light on how technology can enable new forms of educational practice. Awards will be made in three research
categories, each focusing on a different stage of research and development: Exploration (EXP), Design and
Implementation (DIP), and Integration (INT). The program will also support small Capacity-Building Projects (CAP) –
e.g., conferences, workshops, and partnership-building activities – and will continue to participate in NSF’s
foundation-wide programs: EAGER, RAPID, INSPIRE, and CAREER.
Deadlines: Full application for Capacity-Building Projects due March 25, 2016; July 29, 2016; and December 5, 2016
Letter of intent (LOI) for Integration Projects due May 9, 2016; full application due July 11, 2016
Full application for Exploration Projects due December 16, 2016
Full application for Development and Implementation Projects due January 16, 2017 (all programs are
annually recurring)
Full description: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504984
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Grant News
8
Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)
Funding agency: Department of Defense (DOD)
Program summary: DURIP awards support the acquisition of research equipment or instrumentation in order to
conduct research and educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense. Approximately $47
million will be available for one-year awards ranging from $50,000 to $1.5 million. DURIP funds must be used for
the acquisition of major equipment or instrumentation to augment current, or develop new, research capabilities
to support research in the technical areas of interest to the DoD. Your proposal may request funding for more than
one item if the requested items comprise a “system” that is used for a common research purpose. Requests for
computing equipment for DoD-relevant research programs are appropriate and eligible for funding. To get a sense
of the types of equipment purchases that have been funded by DoD, take a look at this list of the latest awardees.
Deadline: August 26, 2016
Full description: http://www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?oppId=282081
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Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program
Funding agency: Henry Dreyfus Foundation
Program summary: The Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards program supports the research and teaching
careers of talented young faculty in the chemical sciences at undergraduate institutions. Based on institutional
nominations, the program provides discretionary funding to faculty at an early stage in their careers. The award is
based on accomplishment in scholarly research with undergraduates, as well as a compelling commitment to
teaching, and provides an unrestricted research grant of $60,000. This program is open to academic institutions in
the states, districts, and territories of the US that grant a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the chemical sciences,
including biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering. Nominees must hold a full-time tenuretrack academic appointment, be after the fourth and not after the twelfth years of their independent academic
careers, and be engaged in research and teaching primarily with undergraduates. Institutions may submit only one
Henry Dreyfus nomination annually. Re-nominations are accepted.
Deadline: May 18, 2016
Full description: http://www.dreyfus.org/awards/henry_dryfus_teacher_award.shtml
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Mathematics Travel Grants for Women Researchers
Funding agency: Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM)
Program summary: The purpose of AWM’s travel grants is to enhance the research activities of women
mathematicians and increase their visibility in various research venues. Mathematics travel grants for women
researchers and educators enable women to attend conferences in fields supported by the NSF’s Mathematical
Sciences Division. Up to $2,300 is available for domestic travel, and up to $3,500 is available for foreign travel.
Deadlines: Travel and Education Research Travel Grants due May 1, 2016; October 1, 2016; and February 1, 2017
(annually recurring)
Full description: https://sites.google.com/site/awmmath/programs/travel-grants
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Grant News
9
NIST Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
Funding agency: US Department of Commerce (DOC)
Program summary: DOC supports creative advanced research in scientific and engineering areas that encourages
the conversion of government-funded research into a commercial application. R&D topics vary, and activities will
take place in two phases of development. Phase 1 applicants may receive up to $90,000. Phase II applicants may
receive up to $300,000. Colleges and universities are eligible as consultants or subcontractors to small businesses.
Deadlines: Phase I applications due April 14, 2016
Phase II applications due May 5, 2016
Full description: http://www.nist.gov/tpo/sbir/
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Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Funding agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Program summary: The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research
participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by NSF. REU projects involve
students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU
program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on
independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites
may be based in a single discipline or academic department or may offer interdisciplinary or multi-department
research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are
welcome. (2) REU Supplements may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or
cooperative agreements or may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects.
Deadlines: REU site proposal requiring access to Antarctica due May 27, 2016;
all other site proposals due August 24, 2016
Full description: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517
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Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Funding agency: Department of Defense (DOD)
Program summary: The DOD supports a wide range of fundamental mathematical, information and computer
sciences, biology, and behavioral research to provide the Air Force with novel options to increase performance and
operational flexibility. Research areas are organized and managed in five scientific departments: Dynamical
Systems and Control, Quantum and Non-Equilibrium Processes, Information, Decision and Complex Networks,
Complex materials and Devices, and Energy, Power and Propulsion.
Deadline: April 30, 2016
Full description:
https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=843a39d5df19210a449afa38e2866552&_cview=
0
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Grant News
10
Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)
Funding agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Program summary: The S-STEM program provides awards to fund scholarships and to advance the adaptation,
implementation, and study of effective evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities that support
recruitment, retention, transfer (if appropriate), student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in
STEM. The S-STEM program encourages collaborations among different types of partners: partnerships among
different types of institutions; collaborations of STEM faculty and institutional, educational, and social science
researchers; and partnerships among institutions of higher education and local business and industry, if
appropriate. S-STEM seeks to 1) increase the number of low-income academically talented students with
demonstrated financial need obtaining degrees in STEM and entering the workforce or graduate programs in
STEM; 2) improve the education of future scientists, engineers, and technicians, with a focus on academically
talented, low-income students; and 3) generate knowledge to advance understanding of how factors or evidencebased curricular and co-curricular activities affect the success, retention, transfer, academic/career pathways, and
graduation in STEM of low-income students.
Deadlines: May 16, 2016; April 20, 2017 (annually recurring)
Full description: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5257
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Grant News
Grants 101
11
_____________
Have You Met Paula?
You’re a faculty or staff member who has received a grant. 1) Congratulations! You rock! 2) Now that the grant is
funded, what are the next steps you take to start spending money on your project? 3) How do you get access to
the money? 4) What must you do to spend the grant? If you are unsure of how to answer these questions, then
you may need to identify a point of contact on campus who would know the answers. More specifically, if you are
awarded an external grant, whether private or federal, then you will or already have received an email about your
account and grant award information from a person identified as “Paula Lund” in the email line. While you may be
thankful for the succinct information provided in the email by Paula, the reality is that your busy schedules are
packed with teaching, course preparation, grading, research, and spending your grant money wisely; in the midst
of all this, you may not know or remember that this golden goddess of numbers is here for you in more ways than
just sending you a brief email about your account.
So, who is the mysterious Paula Lund that sends you emails once in a while about your grant spending? What does
she do? What is her divine purpose on campus? On a personal level, Paula is a lovely woman who adores her cats
and likes to spend her time putting puzzles together. She’s a straight forward woman who is friendly and very
customer service-oriented, which inspires her passion to work closely with faculty and staff to help them be
successful in their contribution to the university’s research environment.
On a professional level, Paula is the designated university grant accountant,
and she works closely with our office (ORSP) to help faculty and staff
navigate the post-award process of grants; she is also the Business Services
liaison for grant recipients, and will gladly help funded PIs find the right
people to talk to if she does not know or have the information. If Paula
happens to be out of the office, and you have a question about your grant,
Jason Steiner (jsteiner@uwlax.edu) and Sean Kirkeng (skirkeng@uwlax.edu)
are also great sources to reach out to in Business Services.
A caregiver at heart, Paula is very willing to provide faculty and staff support
for everything grant-related from A to W, account numbers to WISDM. With
an extensive customer service background, Paula knows how to tailor her
advice and training to meet the needs of new and veteran grantees.
In her 7 ½ years as UWL’s grant accountant (and almost 9 years total at
UWL), one common challenge that Paula has seen on the accounting end of
awards is the unawareness of how fringe benefits and indirect costs affect a
PI’s account – in particular, how the timing of monthly overhead assessment and fringe allocations may cause the
WISDM view of the account to overstate the available funds. She states that if PIs want to know their real account
standing, the best time to review the account is around the 8th-10th of the month. Staying on top of actual dollar
amount available is important to know, according to Paula. If PIs are unsure of their actual balance, then they
should call Paula as soon as possible. Paula states that PIs should reach out to her whenever they encounter a
challenge – in particular, regarding whether costs have been posted to their accounts or not. Paula can view the
account to make sure it is in good order. Likewise, if paperwork is being sent to Paula before the closing of a grant
account, let her know it is coming, and let her know if there are irregularities with account amounts, delayed
invoices and purchases, or if there are issues accessing WISDM accounts.
In her final comments about her role on campus, Paula simply stated, “I am here to help. I want to help. I like to
help. Let me help.” It’s as simple as that. Paula has a wealth of knowledge about grants and accounting that she
wants to share to help faculty and staff carry out the great work they do on campus. At the end of the day, Paula
enjoys how her strengths as a grant accountant complement faculty’s and staff’s strengths to ensure successful
grant budget management. If you have any questions for Paula, you can reach her at plund@uwlax.edu or 608785-8488. Paula is located in 125 Graff Main Hall in Business Services.
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Grant News
12
Scholar Spotlight: Dr. Taviare Hawkins__________________________________________
Dr. Ray Block
This month, we shine the spotlight on Taviare “Tav” Hawkins, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics. Tav
describes herself as a physicist who studies biological puzzles. One of her main areas of research focuses on
microtubules, which, if I understand correctly, are the hollow, cylindrical, thread-like proteins that give the cells
structure and shape. Microtubules are also responsible for a cell’s “movement:” If microtubules are to cells what
skeletons are to bodies, then microtubules have to be rigid enough for structural integrity and flexible enough to
reorganize the cell during division. Moreover, tiny motors use these miniature tubes as roadways to transport
cargo throughout the cell, and you can find bundles of microtubules in the tail-like structure that beat rhythmically
to propel sperm forward in their quest to fertilize an egg. In short, microtubules are a big deal! And, Tav’s research
on microtubules puts her in a niche that merges insights from physics with those of biology, engineering, and
computer science.
Tav has several publications about microtubules that have been published since she arrived at UWL, and she has
also been very resourceful when it comes to funding her research. For example, her project, “Mechanics of
Microtubules with Lattice Defects” got some start-up funding from a UWL Faculty Research Grant, and has also
been supported by the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC). When asked about her secret to securing
funding, Tav recommended that grant-seekers start the process early and take full advantage of campus resources
like the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP). Most importantly, Tav discusses the importance of
getting one’s “sales pitch” down: if researchers can explain their ideas in a way that is clear and accessible, then
they stand a better chance of receiving funding.
Like other professors I have interviewed, Tav often blurs the lines between teaching and research by allowing her
passion for the latter to influence her approach to the former. I noticed that Tav is very creative when it comes to
merging her research and teaching interests. She explained to me that the key to engaging physics students is to
involve them in the research process. For example, she noticed that students can become more invested in a topic
when they are empowered to learn about it through original research. She has lots of ways of facilitating this
process, and one technique I found to be particularly fascinating is that she might ask a student who is writing up
their work to start the process by identifying four figures (graphs, models, or images) they think best describes
their work and then to write as much as they can about their figures (as a way of moving the writing process
along); kind of a long figure caption which helps to frame the work and to identify shortcomings as well. She also
impresses upon her students the importance of research, and she has a reputation for having students who
present around campus (during Celebration 1 of Student Research Day) and at conferences 2.
Tav has a truly unique story to tell about her journey into academia. As you can see from the biography on her
webpage, she earned a physics degree from the University of Iowa, worked in real estate for a stint, got urged back
into academics by an African American physicist who was an undergraduate mentor, earned two master’s degrees
(one in physics and another in computer science), did a postdoc with a renowned scholar at UMass, and held
teaching positions at Syracuse, Xavier University, and Mount Holyoke before coming to UWL. In addition to taking
a fascinating journey to becoming a physics professor, the thing that stuck out most to me during our meeting was
that Tav ended up interviewing me as I interviewed her. Specifically, she offered unsolicited advice regarding
professional development, parenting, and navigating issues of race and gender on campus and in the La Crosse
community. Most importantly, Tav emphasized how vital it is to “create one’s own story.” Creating your story
entails that you advocate for yourself, and this means that you will sometimes need to control how you are
defined (ideally before others create narratives about you). Advocating for yourself also requires that faculty
members think strategically about what they want versus what they need to be successful professionally, and
knowing the difference between wants and needs is critical.
I conclude this spotlight by thanking Professor Hawkins for her time, her contributions to the university, and her
parenting and professional advice. I also agree with Tav about the importance of doing what you love while
creating your own story. And I wish her continued success.
1
2
https://ncurdb.cur.org/ncur2015/search/display_ncur.aspx?id=91303
http://www.biophysics.org/Portals/57/pdfs/ProgramBook.pdf
Grant News
13
Latest News_______________________________________________
UWL WiSys Student Ambassador Information Session (with Donuts!), April 15
On Friday, April 15, 9:00 a.m.-noon in Port O’ Call, Cartwright Center, WiSys Technology Foundation will be
hosting an information session highlighting the WiSys Student Ambassador program. Undergraduate students
potentially interested in being WiSys Student Ambassadors are invited to stop by anytime during the event to learn
more about the program directly from UWL’s current ambassadors (and to enjoy free coffee and donuts!). For
more event information, email the UWL Student Ambassadors at neve.rach@uwlax.edu or lowe.marc@uwlax.edu.
9th Annual Wisconsin Science & Technology Symposium to Be Held August 2 and 3
The 9th Annual Wisconsin Science & Technology Symposium will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 2-3,
at UW-Oshkosh. This two-day event is a great networking opportunity for UW researchers, students, and industry
professionals. WiSys will also be hosting a poster competition for students at this event, and prizes will be awarded
to the winning posters. (Faculty are encouraged to submit posters as well.) If you know of any students who may
be interested in this competition, please let them know that they must submit an abstract via WiSys’s poster
submission form. Hotel information can be found on the WiSys events page, and additional information about the
event will be forthcoming.
FY 17 Proposed Budget: US Department of Health and Human Services
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has requested $82.8 billion in discretionary funds, with an
additional request for mandatory funds to target mental health treatment services expansion ($500 million) and
opioid treatment ($1 billion) that will support the HHS's highest priority to keep the American people safe and help
them to lead healthy and productive lives. The NIH budget requests $33.1 billion, an $825 million increase over FY
16, to support existing research areas and new initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot and the Precision Medicine
Initiative. The HRSA budget requests $10.7 billion, an $83.6 million increase over FY 16, to support improvements
in health access, quality, and equity. The AHRQ budget requests $470 million, an increase of $41 million over FY 16.
AHRQ plans to allocate $47.4 million for investigator-initiated grants through the Health Services Research, Data
and Dissemination portfolio. Readers can access complete HHS FY 17 budget information here.
Source: GRC GrantWeek
FY 17 Proposed Budget: Department of State and USAID
The President’s FY 17 budget request would provide $50.1 billion in discretionary funding for the US Department
of State (DOS) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a decrease of about $580 million from FY
16 levels. The budget highlights a number of the Administration’s regional and country-level development
priorities. About $6.2 billion is allocated to address humanitarian challenges around the world, including support
for refugees, and those affected by conflict and natural disasters. The Global Climate Change Initiative would
receive $984 million to mitigate the effects of and strengthen resilience to climate change through bilateral and
multilateral agreements with major and emerging economies. USAID would receive $310.3 million from this
funding to support sustainable landscapes, clean energy, and the development and implementation of national
climate change adaptation programs.
Source: GRC GrantWeek
Latest News is continued on the next page.
Grant News
14
Latest News (continued)__________________________________
NEH Announces Initiative to Protect Cultural Heritage
With world cultural sites and artifacts under threat from conflict, natural disasters, and neglect, the National
Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has announced a new initiative, Protecting Our Cultural Heritage, to support
the preservation and digital reconstruction of cultural sites and artifacts as well as training for preservation
specialists. NEH invites applications for projects that undertake virtual and 3D reconstructions of works of art,
monuments, sites, or landscapes; training for cultural heritage specialists in risk assessment and preservation
approaches; or data-sharing and knowledge exchange about cultural heritage sites. Projects falling under this
initiative will be funded through NEH’s existing grant programs. To determine which program would be the best
match for a proposed project, consult with NEH program officers in the Divisions of Education Programs,
Preservation and Access, Public Programs, and Research Programs, and the Office of Digital Humanities. Further
information can be found here on the NEH website.
Sources: GRC GrantWeek and NEH
NIH Launched New Website on March 25
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recently transformed the layout of their website. The new layout was
launched on March 25, 2016. After analyzing input via surveys, reviews, and internal discussions, the NIH sought to
create a layout that reduces clutter, provides more context, and overall simplifies the pages for viewers.
Source: NIH Nexus
(Back to table of contents)
See next two pages for Recent Submissions & Awards.
Grant News
15
Recent Submissions
March 2016
Principal
Investigator(s)
Department(s)
Funding Agency
Project Title
Barb Bennie
Mathematics
WI DPI 3 via UWRiver Falls
Mathematical Progressions through Habits
of Mind
Sierra Colavito (lead)
& David Stern (Yale
University)
Biology
American Cancer
Society
Determining the Role of Checkpoint Kinase
1 in Claudin-low Breast Cancer
Thomas Gendreau,
Samantha Foley,
Josh Hertel,
Allison Sauppe, &
Mao Zheng
Computer
Science
Google
Google CS4HS Grant
Michael Hoffman &
Santanu Bose (lead,
Washington State
University)
Microbiology
NIH 4
Autophagy and Inflammasome Regulation
by Paramyxovirus C Protein
Jooyeon Jin
Exercise & Sport
Science
SHAPE 5 America
Development of a Theory of Triadic
Influence-based Physical Activity
Questionnaire for Adolescents
Diane Sasaki
International
Education &
Engagement
International
Research &
Exchanges Board
Global UGRAD Pakistan
Allison Sauppe in
collaboration with
UW-Madison (lead)
Computer
Science
NSF 6 via UWMadison
Authoring Effective, Reliable-Robot
Interactions
Continued on the next page.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
National Institutes of Health
5 Society of Health and Physical Educators
6 National Science Foundation
3
4
Grant News
Recent Awards
March 2016
Principal
Investigator(s)
Jean Dowiasch
16
Department(s)
MVAC 7
Funding Agency
Mathy Construction
Eric Eager &
Barb Bennie
Mathematics
NSF 8
Wendy Holtz-Leith
MVAC
Gundersen Health System
$1,000
Wendy Holtz-Leith
MVAC
Gundersen Health System
$2,125
Shelly Lesher
Physics
American Physical Society
$520
Leslie Rogers
Educational
Studies
School District of La Crosse
Diane Sasaki
International
Education &
Engagement
International Research & Exchanges
Board
Kathy Stevenson
MVAC
City of Onalaska
$4,984
Kathy Stevenson
MVAC
City of Onalaska
$17,776
Vicki Twinde-Javner
MVAC
Ayers Associates
$4,884
Vicki Twinde-Javner
MVAC
WI DOT 9
$5,109
Vicki Twinde-Javner
MVAC
WI DOT
$9,037
(Back to table of contents)
Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center
National Science Foundation
9 Wisconsin Department of Transportation
7
8
Award
$8,875
$280,521
$1,100
$18,504