1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program: Empowering Research Innovations

Explore the 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program, including program details, eligibility, deadlines, and application requirements to support your research endeavors.

Introduction to Collaborative Seed Grants

In the dynamic landscape of academic research, securing initial funding is crucial for pioneering projects that can lead to significant breakthroughs. Collaborative Seed Grants play a pivotal role in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, enabling researchers to explore innovative ideas that transcend traditional academic boundaries.

What is the 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program?

The 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program is designed to support cross-campus and cross-disciplinary research teams at the University of Utah. This initiative aims to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by local, national, and global communities by encouraging collaboration among researchers from diverse fields.

Program Description

The 1U4U program incentivizes researchers from different disciplines to collaborate on groundbreaking projects. Each year, the program focuses on a specific theme area determined by the University of Utah research community and the One Utah Research Council. This approach ensures that funded projects are timely, relevant, and leverage the strengths of University of Utah researchers, fostering new interdisciplinary connections for future research endeavors.

FY25 Theme Area

For the fiscal year 2025, the theme is “Women Across the Lifespan: Health, Technology, & Society.” This theme invites research projects that expand knowledge related to women’s health, technological advancements affecting women, and societal issues impacting women throughout their lives. The goal is to pioneer next-generation discoveries across various intellectual domains, addressing issues that disproportionately affect women or impact them differently than other demographics.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Faculty Eligibility: Tenure-line and career-line faculty with at least a 0.75 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) appointment are eligible to apply.
• Team Composition: Project teams must include personnel from at least two separate units, promoting collaboration across intellectual and organizational divides.
• Residency Requirement: Faculty must be in-residence at the University of Utah.
• Application Limits: A faculty member may participate in up to three 1U4U applications in any capacity. Applicants must ensure that all team members have the bandwidth to carry out the proposed work.
• Funding Potential: Proposals must demonstrate a high potential for leveraging extramural funding, with a commitment to submitting at least one external proposal based on the pilot project.
• Research Direction: Projects should represent a new research direction likely to generate extramural funding. Existing funded research areas are not eligible.

Note: Proposals already submitted to or reviewed by extramural agencies will not be considered.

Program Deadlines and Important Dates

Mark your calendars for the following key dates:

• Application Deadline:
  11:59 PM (MST) on Thursday, February 27th, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

• Informational Town Hall:
  **Tuesday, October 29th, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (virtual via Zoom).
  This session, led by Jake Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research (AVPR), will provide valuable insights into the program and the FY25 theme.

RSVP for the 1U4U Informational Town Hall

Required Application Materials

Prepare the following materials for your application:

1. Executive Abstract (PDF, max 500 words):
   – Aim/goal for utilizing seed funds.
   – Up to 10 keywords identifying key objectives, disciplines, and departments.

2. Team Roster (PDF or Excel):
   – Include full name, professional title, home department, home college, participation type, and specific role for each senior personnel.

3. Research Proposal (PDF, max 2 pages):
   – Clear project description with strong objectives and research questions.
   – Justification for the project and detailed methodology.
   – Explanation of how the project addresses a funding need.

4. Budget Outline (PDF or Excel):
   – Use the mandatory 1U4U Budget Template.
   – Justify all expenses accurately, ensuring the budget does not exceed $50,000.

Budget Requirements and Restrictions:

• Mandatory Use: 1U4U Budget Template.
• Limit: Maximum of $50,000.
• Justifications: All expenses, including wages and equipment, must be well-justified.
• Restrictions: Funds cannot be used for external research, unrelated travel, faculty salaries, or curriculum development, among others.

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

The 1U4U applications undergo a thorough review by the 1U4U Review Committee, which includes peers, past recipients, OURC members, and University Leadership. The Vice President for Research (VPR) ultimately approves funding recommendations.

Evaluation Criteria Include:

• Quality and Significance: Overall strength and importance of the proposal.
• Research Excellence: Robust research questions, methodologies, personnel, and facilities.
• Funding Potential: Likelihood of securing extramural funding.
• Relevance: Alignment with the FY25 theme focusing on women across the lifespan.
• Impact: Potential benefits to the investigator’s department, college, and broader community.

Note: The review process may take up to 90 days.

Submit an Application

Ready to take the next step in your research journey? Submit your 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant application via InfoReady by 11:59 PM on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Ensure all materials are complete and adhere to the guidelines to maximize your chances of success.

Apply Here

Conclusion

The 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant Program offers a unique opportunity for researchers at the University of Utah to initiate innovative projects through interdisciplinary collaboration. By addressing significant societal challenges and fostering new research directions, this program empowers researchers to make impactful contributions to their fields and beyond.

Take the next step in your research aspirations and apply for the 1U4U Collaborative Seed Grant today!

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