Planning Grants

Population Systems Research is applied research to address health challenges at the interface between livestock and poultry, wildlife, humans, and the environment, often involving teams of scientists using interdisciplinary approaches. The research focus is at the population systems level, rather than solely the microbial or molecular level. The objective of the UMN CVM Population Systems RFA process is to stimulate novel and highly impactful Population Systems research that will be competitive at a later stage for external funding. As the ability to address key challenging research questions in this area typically requires development of multi-investigator interdisciplinary research teams, the Population Systems RFA process is intended to promote team development and planning, as well as provide seed funding for Population Systems research with high potential for external funding.

Population Systems Planning Grants

Up to $20,000 is available to provide funding of grants led by CVM Population Systems faculty to develop research collaborations to address key issues in the Population Systems area of focus. This funding will be used to develop research teams among groups of investigators, and may include travel to bring together investigators and other expenses associated with developing the team. The required outcome of each of these grants is development of a grant proposal for external funding. Proposed projects should provide direct benefits to the College of Veterinary Medicine and the state at large as these funds originate from the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station's General Agricultural Research (GAR) pool. International travel and expenses are generally discouraged by the Ag Experiment Station in the administration of these funds. Please contact the Research Office with questions regarding allowability of expenses.

Proposal Narrative

The proposal narrative should include the following:
1. Relevance - Fulfill the mission of CVM One Medicine - One Science Signature Programs in the area of Population Systems.
2. Technical and Collaborative Approach – Use of an interdisciplinary approach with multiple investigators from inside and outside the CVM.
3. Future sustainability - Potential to obtain future funding from external sources (funded projects must generate at least 1 proposal submission to an external funding agency with indirect costs of at least 30%. 
 

Application

1. The cover page (download application template)
2. The proposal narrative (not to exceed 2 pages)
3. A detailed budget with justifications. (Please include description of role and effort level for any investigator/personnel)
4. Biosketches of key participants (not to exceed 2 pages)
5. Timeline
6. Recipients of Previous CVM Research Office Funding: Investigators who have received other CVM Research Office funding (as PI or Co-PI) since January of 2009 should document and submit current status (including percentage of funds awarded remaining) or final outcomes of the project to enable reviewers to assess impact of previous investments. (Please use attached outcomes template for each investigator who has received funding.)

Project Format

1. Margins-1 inch: top, bottom, left and right
2. Minimum font size - 11 points
3. Single Spaced

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by a Population Systems Review Panel composed of Population Systems Leads, representation from the CVM Research Committee, invited ad hoc Population Systems faculty and invited external Population Systems representatives (e.g., industry, government). This review committee will make recommendations for funding decisions to the CVM Associate Dean for Research.

Grant proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria

1. Must address key issues in Population Systems area of focus and be well justified. Preference will be given to proposals illustrating a clear step toward building a bigger program.
2. Preference will be given to proposals with innovative ideas and approaches.
3. Identification of a plan for external funding is required (plan must generate and
submit at least 1 proposal to external funding agency with indirect costs of at least 30%).

Submission Process

Please send your application (items 1-6 above) as a single pdf via email to vetres@umn.edu using Pop Sys Planning Grants in the subject line and a signed paper copy to the Research Office (440 VMC). Proposals are due April 15, 2013.

Key Dates:

Due Date for Application: April 15, 2013 Tentative Award Date: July 2013
Project Completion Date: Funds must be spent within 1 year of award with Final report due at that time.

Questions?

Please contact the Research Office at 612-624-2744 or via email at vetres@umn.edu with any questions.