College of Education
Office of the Dean
East Carolina University
Speight Building Greenville, NC 27858-4353
252-328-4260 office 252-328-4219 fax
www.coe.ecu.edu
College of Education Guidelines for
ECU Research Start-up Funding Proposals
Through generous support from the East Carolina University Division of Research and Graduate
Studies, the College of Education is able to provide to a limited number of high caliber faculty
candidates an opportunity to apply for research start-up funds to support transition to ECU.
Since this support package is not available to individuals who have signed an employment
contract with ECU, it is essential to have discussions about this support early in the
application/interview process. Additional information is available at the “Shared Research
Facilities and Services” link at: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/rgs/rgsservices.cfm.
As noted in resources available at the above noted site, these funds (approximately $8,000 –
15,000 per year) may be available for up to three years and are designed to support
continuation and expansion of an existing research agenda. Funds may be requested to
support: a) materials, equipment, and other resources necessary to conduct research; b) travel
to research sites for data collection; and c) support for research assistance such as a
transcriber or graduate research assistant. Preference will be given to applications reflecting a
well-defined (and reasonable to accomplish) research study holding high promise for continued
funding following the initial start-up funding period.
College of Education faculty candidates are not required to submit a proposal for this support.
Nor is there a commitment for the College to recommend funding of all applications.
Additionally, award of funding is contingent on availability of resources.
Preliminary Conversations Regarding Research Start-up Funding Support
If you are interested in discussing a research start-up proposal during your on-campus
interview, you will have an opportunity to meet with the Associate Dean for Research and
Grants. Please bring a fairly specific written overview addressing:



Research agenda - As appropriate, share how your current research may impact plans
for research at East Carolina University.
Plans for your initial research activities at ECU including:
o Research questions, alignment with your research agenda, and conceptual
framework
o Project research questions and design (i.e., methodology)
o Project objectives/goals/outcomes
o Schedule of activities for the funding period (not to exceed three years)
o Project evaluation – formative and summative
o Alignment with university strategic goals (additional information available at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/rgs/strategic-planning.cfm)
Potential impact of research
Formal Application for Research Start-Up Funding Support
Following the on-campus interview, the search committee chair will invite candidates who may
be recommended for the position to submit a complete proposal to the Associate Dean for
Funded Research. When the Dean contacts the “candidate/s of choice,” there will be
conversations around interest in pursuing submission of a start-up proposal.
Because your proposal may be read by individuals from many disciplines, it should be clear and
free of specialized terms. Proposals should be double-spaced (with 1” margins) and use Times
New Roman 12 font and size.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Proposal Title and Abstract (1 page) - Abstract should be between 100 and 200
words and written using non-technical language.
Proposal Narrative (10-12 pages) including:
a) Research questions, alignment with your research agenda, and conceptual
framework
b) Project research design (i.e., methodology), timelines,
objectives/goals/outcomes, IRB proposal plans (Applicants will be required to
seek Institutional Review Board [IRB] approval [See http://www.ecu.edu/irb for
more information]).
c) Schedule of activities for the funding period (not to exceed three years)
d) Project evaluation – formative and summative - Be specific as to what you intend
to do to determine the effectiveness of your research.
e) Potential impact of research
f) Plans for sustaining research initiative following initial funding
g) Budget and supporting justification
h) Alignment with university strategic goals (additional information available at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/rgs/strategic-planning.cfm)
Research Agenda (1 page) - Description of the research agenda should include an
overview of existing research, a clear statement of the overarching focus of both existing
and future research initiatives, and specific objectives to be achieved.
Plans for Seeking Future Funding of the Research Agenda
Faculty CV
Please feel free to contact Dr. Alana Zambone, Interim Associate Dean for Research, Funded
Projects, and Scholarly Activity (zambonea@ecu.edu) with any questions.