Vice President for Research & Economic Development
Proposal Services & Faculty Support
September Funding Focus Newsletter #1
What is a Limited Submission?
A limited submission solicitation (RFA, RFP, etc.) places a cap on the number of submissions that Auburn may submit to a sponsor. Auburn handles limited submissions by sending out a notification via this newsletter and creating competitions in the Auburn University Competition Space (also known as InfoReady ).To apply to any limited submission posted below, click on the above link and search for your competition reflected on the page. Please refer to the Limited Submission Procedures page for a list of requirements.
Limited Submission Announcements

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.
MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to develop next-generation research instruments that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.
An MRI proposal may request up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Beginning with the FY 2018 competition, each performing organization may submit in revised “Tracks” as defined below, with no more than two submissions in Track 1 and no more than one submission in Track 2.
  • Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,0001 and less than $1,000,000.
  • Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,000,000 up to and including $4,000,000.

Consistent with the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-69), cost sharing of precisely 30% of the total project cost is required for Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education and for non-degree-granting organizations. Non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education are exempt from the cost-sharing requirement and cannot include it. National Science Board policy prohibits voluntary committed cost sharing.

(This competition was initially released in August Funding Focus Newsletter #2.)
Institutional Limit: 3 Proposals (2 in Track 1, 1 in Track 2)
Internal Deadline: September 20, 2019, 4:45pm

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and development of STEM learning opportunities for the public in informal environments; provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; advance innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and engage the public of all ages in learning STEM in informal environments. 

The AISL program supports six types of projects: (1) Pilots and Feasibility Studies, (2) Research in Service to Practice, (3) Innovations in Development, (4) Broad Implementation, (5) Literature Reviews, Syntheses, or Meta-Analyses, and (6) Conferences. 

Limits for funding requests of AISL proposals are as follows: (1) Pilots and Feasibility projects: up to $300,000 with durations up to two years; (2) Research in Service to Practice projects: from $300,000 to $2,000,000 with durations from two to five years; (3) Innovations in Development projects: $500,000 to $3,000,000 with durations from two to five years; (4) Broad Implementation projects from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 with durations from three to five years; (5) Literature Reviews, Syntheses, or Meta-analyses projects up to $250,000 with durations of up to two years; and (6) Conferences up to $250,000 with durations of up to two years.

(This competition was initially released in July Funding Focus Newsletter #1.)
Institutional Limit: 3 Proposals
Internal Deadline: September 20, 2019, 4:45pm

Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM²D Scholars Award is an award to support women pursuing research in STEM²D (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing & Design). WiSTEM²D Scholars Award aims to fuel the development of female STEM²D leaders and feed the STEM²D talent pipeline by awarding and sponsoring women at critical points in their research careers,in each of the STEM²D disciplines. Award recipients, one in each of theSTEM²D disciplines, will gain access to ongoing funding over the course of 3 years, along with mentorship from STEM²D professionals.  The Scholars Award will be paid in three (3) installments of U.S. $50,000 per year of the three-year scholarship period, payable in 2020, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the program’s Agreement.

The following award criteria applies:
  • You must be a woman working in the field(s) of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design (STEM2D).
  • You must be an assistant female professor or global equivalent faculty position at the time of application at an accredited academic university, institution or design school.
The female scholar should have a minimum degree for the appropriate field:
  • Science; M.D., Ph.D.
  • Technology; Ph.D.
  • Engineering; Ph.D.
  • Math; M.S., Ph.D.
  • Manufacturing; Ph.D.
  • Design; M.A., M.S., MDes, MArch, MFA, MLA, Ph.D.

Please note that this limited submission has different upload requirements than standard.

Institutional Limit: 6 Proposals (1 per discipline)
Internal Deadline: September 20, 2019, 4:45pm
IMPORTANT UPDATES AND EVENTS

The purpose of the annual faculty symposium is to promote connections among researchers and creative scholars and to increase the visibility of our work across diverse audiences. Research and creative scholarship are central to the continuing vitality and mission of Auburn University. Through their expertise and collaboration, Auburn University faculty members create an environment that promotes innovation and builds knowledge, contributing in important and tangible ways to economic development and advancement of society.


When: 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2019
Where: Auburn University Student Center
Hanover Research

In order to provide resources for faculty and staff, Auburn University has partnered with Hanover Research for a number of grant development solutions including: Pre-proposal Support; Proposal Development; and Capacity Building. Their full-service grant development solutions are available to set goals, build strategies to achieve key grantseeking objectives, and develop grant proposals that are well-planned, researched, and written. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Guided by our commitment to find a cure for prostate cancer, the Foundation funds seed grants for innovative research that allows researchers the ability to show proof-of-concept when applying for larger, highly competitive federal grants. We use a peer-review process designed after the National Institutes of Health’s model to select our grant recipients that is directed by a review committee comprised of experts in various research-focused fields across the nation. In 2019 we expanded the reach of our grant initiative to ten additional states in the Southeast and have plans to expand nationwide in the coming years. For our current grant cycle, which is open until October 1, 2019, we are committed to funding at least three grants at $50,000 each.

Please email a three-page description of the research proposed, your NIH Biosketch or CV and a brief layman’s overview (300 words) to [email protected] The overview and bibliography are not included in the three-page limit. For questions call (205) 903-4324 or email [email protected] , Emily Capilouto, MPH, MA.

Jessica Crutchfield ( [email protected] ), will be the Auburn University Foundation point of contact for questions.

Applications Due – October 1, 2019
Proposal Services & Faculty Support
844-5929 / c [email protected]