Harvey Picker Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in the Sciences and Mathematics
Request for Proposals – September 12, 2006
Proposals are solicited for the initial round of funding from the Picker Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in the Science and Mathematics. Proposals with annual budgets up to $150,000 per year for two years will be considered, with funding beginning January 1, 2007. Single-year projects, and projects requiring different funding levels in each of the two years of support are also encouraged. Applicants should discuss possible projects with the Institute Director before beginning proposal preparation.
The primary activity supported by the institute is the funding of interdisciplinary research projects. The following criteria will be used to prioritize projects for support from the Institute:
1. The proposed project must involve a scientific question/problem that requires an interdisciplinary approach. It is recognized that the term “interdisciplinary” is not easily defined. The spirit of this criterion is that a proposed project should investigate a topic that an individual investigator could not satisfactorily study alone. Possible project areas include but are not limited to paleoclimatology, bioinformatics, nanoscience, cognitive science, environmental toxicology, and science and ethics.
2. The proposed project must involve collaboration among investigators with complementary expertise. The collaborative relationships may be intra- or inter-institutional. Collaborators need not be from different departments; however, distinctions between the expertise that each brings to bear on the proposed project must be clear. Investigators need not all be from the sciences and mathematics if such expertise will enhance the scientific study.
3. Satisfactory progress on the proposed project would not be possible through internal funding sources (e.g., departmental funds, Research Council funds).
4. The proposed project must be scientifically sound, and should result in significant contributions to scientific knowledge (i.e., peer reviewed publication).
5. The proposed project should have reasonable potential for sustained activity beyond the period of Institute support (i.e., ability to attract extramural funding).
6. To the extent appropriate, the proposed project should involve students and should contribute to interdisciplinary learning.
7. Major equipment purchases should not be a primary focus of the project. However, equipment that is clearly required for collaborative projects will be considered. Projects requiring major equipment should be accompanied by proposals for external funding programs, such as NSF-MRI.
8. The period of support will normally be two-years, although shorter periods of funding will also be considered. Institute funds are not intended to provide long-term support to a project.
Other activities that indirectly enhance interdisciplinary study in science and mathematics may also be supported by the Institute. Such activities may include sponsoring of speakers and the organization of colloquia. To be eligible for support from the Institute, proposed activities must satisfy all of the following criteria:
1. The proposed activity must have a clear interdisciplinary element.
2. The proposed activity must not be eligible for other readily available internal sources of funds (e.g., departmental, divisional).
3. The proposed activity must have impact beyond the lifetime of the activity.
Supported categories:
Wages and fringe benefits
Undergraduate wages and salaries
Release time (@$20,000 per course; maximum one course per participant per year)
Travel
Supplies and general operating
Equipment, including infrastructure and maintenance costs
Consultant and lecturer fees
Proposals should include the following:
1. Cover page listing title of project, principle investigator(s) and affiliations
2. One page project summary
3. Project narrative (limit 15 pages double-space, 12-point font). Refer to Harvey Picker Institute website for model proposal outlines.
4. Budget (use the attached budget template; please refer to the Colgate University Research Council Guidelines for current travel and cost of living expense limits)
5. Budget explanation
6. Curriculum vitae of PI(s) and other personnel
7. Supporting letters or other documents may be included as appendices not to exceed 15 pages
Proposals will be reviewed by the Picker Institute Advisory Committee, with the Committee’s final recommendations for funding subject to approval by the Dean of Faculty/Provost and President.
Proposals are due at 5:00 PM on Monday, December 4, 2006. Please deliver as a single .pdf file on a CD (no email, please), or as 10 paper copies to Bruce Selleck, Department of Geology, Lathrop Hall.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Harvey Picker Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies in the Sciences and Mathematics at Colgate University is to foster the creation of new knowledge that is obtainable only through the development of sustained interdisciplinary research. The Institute supports internal and external collaborations among faculty who bring expertise from disparate disciplines to bear on current and emerging scientific problems that remain intractable to the methods used within a single discipline. The Institute also encourages interdisciplinary approaches to learning through innovative curricular and research opportunities for students that may arise from the pursuit of interdisciplinary research projects.
Picker Institute Advisory Committee:
Damhnait McHugh (Biology)
Rick Geier (Chemistry),
Toshiro Ohsumi (Computer Science)
Peter Klepeis (Geography)
Bruce Selleck (Geology; Director of the Picker Institute)
Dan Schult (Mathematics)
Jeff Buboltz (Physics and Astronomy)
Spencer Kelly (Psychology)
Bob Turner (Environmental Studies)