Funding Opportunities
Level II Funding
Overview
The SSRI provides financial support to increase the quantity and quality of interdisciplinary research at Penn State.
Level II proposals are accepted three times per year. Upcoming deadlines are: January 18, 2010, and April 12, 2010.
Level II funding is designed to support research projects with specific research questions, a well-conceived theoretical basis, an identified team of collaborators, and the potential to gain external funding.
Level II proposals are between $5,000 and $20,000.
For projects greater than $20,000, please consult with the SSRI/CYFC Associate Director or Director.
The SSRI/CYFC Steering Committee and relevant college Associate Deans will review Level II proposals.
A decision on funding is typically made within 4 weeks from the date of submission.
Funds are allocated for a 12-24 month period.
Level II funding support will be provided for:
- innovative interdisciplinary research, training, and integrated research-outreach projects
- innovative workgroups or conferences that might include outside speakers and consultants
Note: The SSRI supports conferences only when they are specifically designed to enhance faculty/staff expertise, thereby leading to new research. Proposals for conferences must indicate the expected date and that other sources of conference funding have already been explored.
- travel, speakers, consultants, graduate student time, or hourly support of activities
Level II funds are not intended to support:
- new or ongoing projects of individual faculty or any on-going programs or research activities
- the delivery of outreach programs or services
- funding for the kinds of activities supported by departments and colleges (travel to conferences, seed money for an individual's project, software purchase, etc.)
Criteria for Review
- Priority is placed on new ideas for projects that involve cross-department and/or cross-college (interdisciplinary) connections.
- A well articulated plan of activities.
- Teams are comprised of investigators who range in seniority and experience.
- Proposals must include a specific product (e.g., external grant proposal; workshop and conference; or training activities) and a timeline for its attainment.
Structure and Submission of Proposals
Proposals must be submitted via email to Terry Noll (tmg3@psu.edu). To complete your proposal submission, you must download, complete, and email the form below:
Proposal Submission Form (Word document)
Examples of successful Level II proposals (SSRI/CYFC) and checklist
Other Ideas to Consider as You Construct Your Level II
- Consult with the SSRI/CYFC Director or Associate Director about your project. The SSRI/CYFC Director and/or Associate Director are happy to review an early draft of your proposal before you submit it formally.
- Talk with any of the SSRI unit directors (Geographic Information Analysis (GIA), Survey Research Center (SRC), Social, Life, and Engineering Sciences Imaging Center (SLEIC), and Methodological Consulting Center) about how you might utilize the expertise of their units to enhance your proposal.
- If you need time and funding to network, organize your team, or further develop your research ideas, consider applying for a SSRI Level I.
On those occasions where proposed research will involve either primary data collection or the use of secondary data, investigators are expected to prepare and submit the appropriate requests for IRB approval of research involving human or animal participants (whichever is appropriate to the project).
In addition to review by the SSRI/CYFC Director and Associate Director, SSRI Level II proposals are reviewed by the SSRI/CYFC Steering Committee.
Project Monitoring
We will be in touch periodically to learn more about each project and to help facilitate its successful completion. We encourage you to keep us up-to-date on your progress.
If during the course of your project you need to make changes to the project team, description, design, or budget, please send a note to the SSRI/CYFC Associate Director, cc'ing Terry Noll (tmg3@psu.edu), with the specific details of these changes.
Should you have any questions about these funding opportunities, please contact:
Susan McHale, Ph.D.
Director, SSRI/CYFC
Phone: (814) 865-2663
Email: x2u@psu.edu
Keith Aronson, Ph.D.
Associate Director, SSRI/CYFC
Phone: (814) 865-6909
Email: kra105@psu.edu
Terry Noll, MEd
Project Coordinator, SSRI/CYFC
Phone: (814) 865-5226
Email: tmg3@psu.edu
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