Brief: CRI initial funding requests due Nov. 30

To stimulate continued innovation and outstanding research on this campus,
the Critical Research Initiatives program has been established in the
amount of $1 million.

The purpose of the program - founded last year - is to facilitate formation
of collaborations and exploration of innovative ideas that will open new
directions for research, enhance the intellectual environment of the
campus, and/or lead to long-term support from external sources.

Examples of appropriate candidates for support would include novel
interdisciplinary research approaches and emergent programs, although funds
would not be restricted to such projects. Support for planning efforts and
also for implementation of novel research activities may be requested.

This year, competition for the funds will begin in the fall semester. The
process has been further modified to reduce the amount of effort required
of applicants.

The first deadline will be Nov. 30 for a three-page preproposal letter
describing the concept of the full proposal or planning grant. Selection of
preproposals for submission of full proposals will be announced by Dec. 16.
Full proposals are due Feb. 1. Awards will be announced in March, and all
funded proposals will start July 1.

Preproposals and full proposals will be reviewed by a committee appointed
by the vice chancellor for research.

Guidelines have been sent to all academic units. More information is
available from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at 333-5158.