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1 Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewer’s Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 - 340.693.1478. viepscor@uvi.edu; http://epscor.uvi.edu/ Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Request for Incubator Grant Proposals 2010 The Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI- EPSCoR) is pleased to announce its 2010 request for Incubator Grant proposals. VI- EPSCoR Incubator Grants support researchers in exploring new research directions related to the project focus on Integrated Caribbean Coastal Ecosystems (ICCE) as well as exploring research approaches for improving education and outreach outcomes. Goals of the 2010 Incubator Grants Program • Stimulate research of priority to the ICCE research focus. ICCE research teams are currently working on three interrelated research areas: (1) Evolutionary and Ecological Patterns and Processes; (2) Ocean and Coastal Processes; and (3) Environmental Analysis and Management, including human dimensions in natural resource management. A summary of current research priorities is attached. • Stimulate research of priority to VI-EPSCoR’s outreach and education objectives VI-EPSCoR is also particularly interested in proposals addressing: 1) efforts to stimulate and engage underrepresented or at-risk students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines; or 2) efforts to more effectively engage and communicate with communities on environmental issues. • Stimulate research collaborations in order to build strong interdisciplinary research teams. Preference will be given to proposals that promote collaborative linkages among Virgin Islands researchers and with researchers external to UVI. Incubator researchers will be expected to actively participate as members of ICCE research teams by participating in research team meetings, incubator seminars and the VI-EPSCoR annual conference. • Provide student research opportunities. VI-EPSCoR is particularly interested in proposals that include thesis research opportunities for UVI Master in Marine and Environmental Science students. Preference will also be given to proposals that include research opportunities for Virgin Islands undergraduate and high school students. 2 Project Deadlines and Timelines Proposals should be submitted to Dr. Kim Waddell, VI-EPSCoR Acting Director electronically. Proposals are due on March 1, 2010. Project funds will be available upon award of the grant. Award announcements will be made by April 15, 2010. Project Period and Level of Funding The length of the project period is usually one calendar year with possible renewal for a second year. Incubator grants are typically funded at about $25-30,000, but larger or smaller awards will be considered. Project Requirements Incubator grants support pilot research, proposal development, and other activities that advance a research project to the point at which it can attract competitive external funding. As a condition of the incubator grant, incubator researchers must submit at least one follow-on proposal for competitive external funding. Incubator researchers are expected to participate in research team meetings, incubator seminars, and the VI-EPSCoR annual conference. Incubator researchers are required to submit a brief semi-annual report describing activities funded by the incubator grant as well as progress toward obtaining external support. We will also need a final project and financial report Further Information Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend our grant proposal-writing workshop scheduled for February 6th where VI-EPSCoR staff will be available to answer questions about the Incubator Grants Program. For more information, contact Kim Waddell, VI-EPSCoR Acting Director, 340-693-1628 or kwaddel@uvi.edu. 3 FORMAT FOR VI-EPSCOR INCUBATOR GRANT PROPOSALS Incubator grant proposals should include the following elements: cover page with abstract; project description (max. 5 pages); draft budget with budget justification; and C.V.s of project investigators. Proposals should be submitted to Kim Waddell, VI- EPSCoR Acting Director. Cover page with abstract Include the title of the project, email address and phone number of each investigator, and a one-paragraph abstract describing the research to be done. Project Description (max. 5 pages) 1. Research problem and background Articulate (a) the research problem and why it is important, and (b) what has already been done. 2. Objectives Project objectives should (a) correspond to the research problem, (b) define the strategy to overcome the problem, and (c) contribute to broader ICCE research or VI-EPSCoR’s education/outreach priorities. 3. Inputs Project inputs needed to achieve objectives could include people (researchers, students, etc), travel costs, equipment, supplies, and facilities. 4. Workplan Summarize what will be done to achieve the project objectives, when and how activities will be conducted, and duration for each activity. 5. Outputs Project outputs should be clearly related to the objectives. Outputs must include at least one proposal for external funding. 6. Project management Identify the project leader, list all collaborator(s), and briefly describe who will be responsible for each activity in the work plan. 7. Plan for seeking external funding Describe plans for seeking follow-on external funding, including funding agencies and expecting timing for proposal submission. 8. Relevance of proposed activities to priorities of VI-EPSCoR or ICCE research thrust Address how the proposed research will fit into and contribute to ICCE research or VI-EPSCoR’s education/outreach priorities. 9. Relevance of proposed activities to development of ICCE research teams If applicable, describe what type of collaboration will take place, and how this will contribute to building strong interdisciplinary ICCE research teams. 10. Opportunities for student research Describe any student research opportunities included in the proposal. 4 Draft budget and justification Provide a detailed estimate of all expected project costs, with budget justification. Include any resources expected from other sources including investigators’ home institutions. C.V.’s of project investigators Provide brief c.v.’s for all investigators, in standard National Science Foundation (NSF) format. Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewer’s Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990 - 340.693.1478. viepscor@uvi.edu