Research Excellence Fund (REF)—Program Description

Program Description | Proposal Format | Letters of Support & Submission Requirements | Review Criteria & Procedures | Award Procedure | Reporting

Program Description (for more information, see FAQs)

1. 1. Infrastructure Enhancement Grants

      REF Infrastructure Enhancement (REF-IE) grants are designed to provide Departments/Schools and Research Centers/Institutes with resources to develop the infrastructure necessary to support sponsored research and graduate student education. Funded projects will typically focus on acquisition of equipment, enhancement of laboratory facilities, or enhancement of administrative support structure to expand the research capability of the unit. Submitted proposals must each have a Chair, Dean, or Research Center/Institute Director as Principal Investigator. A PI may only submit one proposal per category (see FAQs). Co-investigators may include academic or research faculty, or research staff. REF-IE grants may be up to $50,000, are limited to the award period outlined above, and can not be extended. Unexpended funds at the end of the project period will revert to the REF pool. Two or more departments may jointly submit a proposal.

      REF-IE proposals will be evaluated on:

      1. Extent of enhancement of the University's research capability.
      2. The likelihood of leading to future sponsored research funding and graduate student support.
      3. Contribution to achievement of the University and unit strategic plans.
      4. Matching funds are not required, however evidence of a departmental commitment to the project needs to be clear in the proposal.
         
         
   2. Research Seed Grants

      REF Research Seed (REF-RS) grants are designed to provide untenured tenure-track academic faculty with resources to develop an externally supported research program. Typical REF-RS projects will develop preliminary data to be used in subsequent proposals to outside funding sources, support pilot studies developing new research methods or procedures, or support other activity leading to the development of an externally recognized and funded research program.

      Untenured tenure-track academic faculty members in any academic unit are eligible to submit REF-RS proposals as the principal investigator. Teams of untenured faculty in one or more academic units are encouraged to submit joint proposals. Tenured faculty, research faculty, or research staff are not eligible to be Principal Investigators for REF-RS awards, but may be included as Co-Investigators on REF-RS proposals. A PI may only submit one proposal per category (see FAQs). Summer salary is capped at two weeks. There is no graduate student support and no academic year faculty salary support for REF-RS proposals.

      REF-RS grants may be up to $40,000 per year, with an expected average award of $30,000 per year.

      REF-RS proposals will be evaluated on:

      1. Likelihood of leading to the development of an externally supported research program, including future external graduate student funding.
      2. Contribution to the achievement of the University and unit strategic plans.
      3. Matching funds are not required, however the supporting letter from the Chair must clearly show the department's commitment to the success of the project. (top)
         
         
   3. Mentoring Grants

      REF Mentoring Grants (REF-MG) are designed to provide newly-hired, untenured tenure-track faculty with resources to work with established, nationally-known, off-campus researchers to develop competitive proposals supporting the initiation of an externally recognized and funded research program. Keep in mind that the mentoring grant is not a research proposal; rather, it is an opportunity to build an advisory relationship with the mentor. Qualifications of the mentor to serve in this capacity must be clear in the proposal: such as mentor commitment, mentor compatibility, mentor stature, and institutional/mentee benefit. A good mentoring grant should focus on the establishment of a beneficial mentoring relationship. Tenured faculty, research faculty, or research staff are not eligible for REF-MG awards.

      Consider the following criteria when submitting REF-MG proposals:

      • Newly hired, untenured tenure-track faculty in any academic unit who are in their first two year appointment are eligible to submit REF-MG, proposals.
      • A PI may only submit one proposal per category (see FAQs). Each proposal must be endorsed by the appropriate Department Chair/School Dean and must include a letter from the off-campus mentor indicating a willingness to participate.
      • A description of the planned interactions with the mentor and expected outcomes should be included.
      • Mentors will typically be identified with the assistance of the Department Chair/School Dean.
      • The selected mentor should not be someone with whom a mentoring relationship already exists, such as a previous advisor or senior research collaborator.
      • REF-MG grants may be up to $20,000, are limited to the award period outlined above, and will not normally be extended.
      • Matching funds are not required.
      • The supporting letter from the Chair/Dean must clearly describe the Department's/School's contribution to the mentoring program and also describe the Chair's/Dean's role in insuring the success of this effort. The qualifications of the mentor may be considered by the review committee during proposal evaluation.

      REF-MG proposals will be evaluated on:

      1. Likelihood of developing a strong and successful mentoring relationship leading to the establishment of an externally recognized and funded research program by the recipient.
      2. Contribution to the achievement of the University and unit strategic plans.
         
         NOTE: All mentor stipends will be reviewed for appropriateness and justification. (top)