CLAS Research Innovation Seed ProgramS (CRISPS)
2009-2010

Call for Proposals

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce the call for proposals for the 2009-10 CLAS Research Innovation Seed Program (CRISP). CRISP funds are designated specifically to promote innovative research and creative activities and encourage the submission of applications for funding. CRISP funds are intended to provide seed money to fund studies to be used in grant proposals and to facilitate research and creative activities that could not be successfully completed with currently available resources.

Acknowledging the diversity of research and creative endeavors that are an essential feature of CLAS, CRISP has two Tracks, one of which is aimed at faculty in areas which, although sometimes funded by prestigious and important grants, are not generally funded by large dollar awards (Track A) and the other of which is targeted at faculty with research projects with greater potential for obtaining large external grants (Track B). 

Important and innovative research and creative activities often requires initial funding to get a project off the ground. Projects submitted under Track A are those that require resources to successfully conduct the research and can be expected to reach fruition within the one-year grant period. There is no requirement for grant submission for applicants in Track A, but the scholars are nevertheless expected to work with the Office of Research Development and Education (ORDE) to explore grant funding options. If no suitable funding opportunities are identified, no grant submission is required. 

For projects submitted under Track B, successful applicants must submit a grant proposal with an expected request of $100,000 (total) over at least 2 years. The intent of the Tracks is to support the research and creative activities performed by all faculty in all units within CLAS and to provide seed money for scholarly projects that require startup resources. The college expects to make up to 5 awards in each Track: Awards up to $5,000 are possible for Track A and awards of up to $10,000 are possible for Track B. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on April 10, 2009.  Recipients will be notified by May 1, 2009. 

General Information

Nature of the Program

CRISP grants provide funding for research and creative projects that can lead to important new projects and those with a likelihood of garnering external support. Preliminary work toward writing an external grant proposal or developing a new line of research might include such activities as:

• data collection for exploratory research or pilot studies
• employing grant writers
• preparation and publication of current research results
• hiring and training of research assistants
• travel to confer with collaborators or with program officers at a potential sponsoring agency
• purchasing expendable materials or supplies necessary for conducting the project
• obtaining special equipment or software necessary for the project
• course release or summer support for preparation of a grant proposal (an amount representing the current value of teaching replacement cost will be used to represent all course releases)

Eligibility

The principal investigator of the CRISP application must hold at least a half-time tenured or tenure-track faculty appointment in CLAS at the Downtown UCD Campus.   Applications may have multiple investigators, and only the PI must be a CLAS faculty member and a Tenure/Tenure Track faculty member.  Participation of faculty from other colleges and participation of non tenure-track faculty in other roles on the project is acceptable.  Applicants must consult with UCD’s Office of Research Development and Education to identify potential funding sources, and they must present documentation to that effect.  Applicants may hold and apply for other sponsored funding throughout the full project period of their CRISP award provided they have no CRISP awards in delinquent status. Faculty members or teams receiving an award must submit a report of their CRISP activities with a copy to the CLAS Deans’ office, no later than June 30, 2010.  Current CRISP recipients are eligible to apply but they must submit a progress report with the 2009-2010 proposal.

Eligibility for Tracks:  Individuals must indicate on the cover page if they are applying for Track A or Track B funding, and must provide a narrative justification for this choice in the space provided.  The justification should describe, briefly, for the reviewers why the PI feels the proposed track is most appropriate for their project, and this justification must refer to and reference the discussion of funding possibilities the PI has undertaken with ORDE prior to submission.  The review committee reserves the right to suggest a change in Track choice with the PI if it concludes that the application would be better served on another track.

Funding Limits and Allowable Expenses

Funding request limits for CRISP awards are $5,000 for Track A proposals and $10,000 for Track B proposals.  Permitted expenses for CRISP awards include salary for student assistants, project-related supplies and materials, travel to confer with colleagues or program officers at state or federal funding agencies, faculty summer salary (Salary Savings Policy will not apply), costs associated with manuscript preparation and publication, and release time for proposal preparation.  The application must include a justification of each budget item.

Travel to professional conferences is typically ineligible for support.  Faculty travel support is available through the CLAS Dissemination Grant program. 

It is the responsibility of CRISP applicants to discuss potential release time with their chairs and deans.  Release time requires chair and dean approval, and receipt of a CRISP award does not guarantee course release will be provided.

Questions about the CRISP program should be directed to Laura Argys (303-556-3949; Laura.Argys@ucdenver.edu).

The Selection Process

Proposals will be evaluated by a committee comprised of CLAS Associate Dean(s), a representative of CLAS Council, a representative of the Council of Chairs, and a representative of the Office of Sponsored Programs.  If a proposal seems to require specialized expertise outside the purview of committee members, the committee will solicit input from appropriate source(s).

Selection Criteria

Specific review criteria applied include:

1. How well the proposed activity matches the purposes of the CRISP program and conforms to application guidelines, including Track choice and justification;
2. If the work proposed appears feasible;
3. How well the proposed work improves the College’s scholarship profile and long-term research and creative prospects;
4. If the project has a novel or innovative aspect.
5. How clearly the case is made that budgeted items are necessary for the support of the proposed research or creative activity.
6. Track B proposals will be evaluated on merit and likelihood of successfully obtaining funding.

The review committee will identify proposals they regard as most deserving of funding and forward their recommendations to the Dean.  The Dean will consider their recommendations and make the final decision on proposals to be funded.

Timeline

Applications for CRISP support must be received in the Dean’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on April 10, 2009.  The Dean’s decisions on proposals to be funded will be announced by May 1, 2009.

requirements of CRisp award recipients

During the preparation of the application, CRISP award recipients will meet with an ORDE program officer and a UCD grant accountant before the award period begins to discuss the management of their award.   CRISP recipients should be aware that all University compliance issues (e.g., human subjects, animals use in research, etc.) apply to this work, should complete necessary research training and should also be aware of the university's Intellectual Property Rights policy.

ORDE Proposal Writing Workshop Requirement

The purpose of the CRISP program in Track B is to generate competitive proposals for external funding.  To facilitate this goal, all CRISP recipients who have not written successful grants for state or federal funding while at UCD will be required to attend at least one grant writing workshop.     Experienced grant writers and CRISP recipients in Track A are also welcome to attend.

Reporting Requirement 

Awardees will be required to participate in a Research and Creative Activities Symposium roughly 6 months after the awards are made in which they will give a brief oral presentation, followed by discussion and Q and A, on the progress of their project to the other awardees and interested CLAS faculty.  At the conclusion of the award period, recipients will submit a final report detailing their activities and a manuscript or submitted external grant proposal.  If the required final report is not submitted within 12 months of the award, the CRISP grant will be considered delinquent and the recipient(s) will be ineligible for other internal funding at UCD until the final report (and required grant proposal if applicable) is submitted.

Application Instructions

A project proposal must include the cover sheet, an explanation of the project, a specific timetable, a detailed budget and budget justification.

Proposal Components

CRISP proposals should contain the sections listed below. Proposals that are incomplete or unclear to the review panel will not be judged. Be sure your proposal effectively communicates your plans and goals.

• Cover page with Track justification and required contacts and signatures (see below).

• Project Significance and Description (The project description should not exceed two pages in length, not counting a list of supporting literature.)

• Project Outcomes (The project outcomes should not exceed one page in length.)
  
  Track A:  Describe the result of the research or creative project including but not limited to the submission of an article to a refereed journal, preparation of a book proposal or manuscript, or a pilot project that may lead to a small grant proposal. 
  
  Track B:  Provide clear evidence that the project will lead to an application for external funding within a year from the award.  Identify the possible funding source(s), amounts of funding that you plan to request, and the deadline for the proposal(s).

• Budget
  A detailed and realistic budget should be provided.  (The budget request should not exceed one-half page in length.)
  
  A detailed budget justification must be included.  The investigators should explain the importance of the budgeted items to the successful completion of the project.

• Timeline
  A timeline should provide specific milestones with realistic time given to each stage of the project.  (This should not exceed one-half page in length.)
  

• Vitae
  Include a two-page CV for each participant highlighting the most relevant activities and accomplishments that will give the review committee important background for interpreting your proposal.
  Page one:  list educational background, professional experience, honors and the like and
  Page two:
  • Publications – a complete list of publications for the last 5 years
  • Funded Grant Proposals – a list of proposals funded in the last 5 years
  • Grant Proposals submitted and not funded
  • Presentations – a list of presentations (national and international) in the past 5 years

Note: provide only the most relevant publications, grants and presentations if the complete five-year list would exceed one page.

• Letters of Support (if needed). If the project requires resources or collaborations outside UCD (e.g., access to data, museum collections, specialized equipment), the application must include a letter of support/collaboration from the relevant party.

Complete the attached cover sheet to apply. Please submit the original and one copy of the proposal. Late proposals cannot be considered. Proposals are due in the CLAS Dean’s Office by 5:00 p.m. April 10, 2009.

Checklist for CRISPS Application 2009-2010