Committee on Research and Creative Activity
Award Criteria / Application Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2009-2010

 

ELIGIBILITY
Full-time faculty, or those employees with PhDs or with a terminal degree appropriate to their field and who are currently in a 100% instructional appointment are eligible to apply for funding from CRCA.

 

DEADLINES
The CRCA meets regularly during the academic year until all funds have been expended. Applicants must submit their proposals prior to their conference or professional activity at least one week in advance of the Committee's scheduled meeting except if exceptional circumstances prevent meeting that deadline. In such cases, contact the CRCA Committee Chair to make other arrangements.  During the academic year, applications should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty in D135 Molinaro.  From June 1 – August 31, applications should be submitted to the Office of Research Administration in 3325 Wyllie.

 

FUNDING PRIORITIES
All proposals must be directly related to research or creative activity. The Committee places the highest priority on quality proposals that promise significant research or creative outcomes for the applicant. Preference will be given to:

• individuals who have applied to external funding agencies for support of their research or creative activities (including travel grants);
• projects or activities which seem likely to lead to external grant proposals;
• individuals who have not previously received CRCA support;
• junior (non-tenured) faculty members;
• research proposals or creative activities judged likely to lead to publications, performances, or exhibits; 
• new research projects or creative activities; and
• individuals who demonstrate efforts to minimize travel expenses (e.g., staying at a cheaper, non-conference hotel; using frequent flyer miles for purchasing airline tickets; sharing a room; staying with family/friends)

 

Allowable expenses may include:

• Costs associated with the conduct of research (e.g., data collection, data analysis, laboratory work, field experiments)
• Costs associated with the professional showing of creative or artistic works (e.g., gallery showings, concerts)
• Equipment and supplies
• Publication costs
• Conference travel for dissemination activities (e.g., paper/poster/panel presentations)

 

The following expenses are among those that ARE NOT allowable and should be contributed as cost-sharing:

• Membership dues
• Expenses related to course or curriculum revisions
• Expenses related to the writing of textbooks

 

PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS

1. CRCA will only consider proposals for future activities. Funding requests for activities that already have taken place will not be considered.
2. The maximum amount of funding that can be awarded to a tenured faculty member in any given year is limited to $800. The maximum amount of funding that can be awarded to a non-tenured faculty member in any given year is limited to $1,000. Individuals may make as many requests during the year as they desire, but the total amount awarded to an individual cannot exceed the maximum annual limit. CRCA awards are competitive and are not guaranteed. Depending on their review of the proposal, the Committee may authorize a different (lesser) amount of funding than that requested by the applicant.
3. All applicants are required to consult with Mike Gonzalez in the Office of Research Administration to develop their proposal budget.
4. Proposals are reviewed by fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).  Proposals for activities whose support will come from the next fiscal year's allocations may be submitted, but they may be deferred to the next fiscal year for committee review and funding decisions depending on when the expenses/charges will take place.
5. In order to allow for more accurate tracking of the remaining CRCA funds available for allocation, all paperwork, receipts, travel expense reports, etc. MUST be submitted for processing within 2 months of the end date of the project or activity.
6. A brief, final report outlining the project or activity and its benefits to the applicant, his/her department, and the university as a whole is required of all CRCA grant recipients. If you were awarded CRCA funds for travel, reports should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty in D135 Molinaro at the time your expense reports are turned in.  If you were awarded CRCA funds for non-travel-related research expenses, reports should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty in D135 Molinaro within 6 months of when your funds have been spent. Failure to submit this report could affect the outcome of an applicant’s future request for CRCA funding.

 

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE PROPOSAL
To be eligible, all proposals must follow the guidelines stated in this document and provide the information requested below. Eight (8) copies of the proposal and supporting documentation are required.  During the academic year, applications should be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty in D135 Molinaro.  From June 1 – August 31, applications should be submitted to the Office of Research Administration in 3325 Wyllie.

1. The CRCA application form (available on the UWP Web) must be used. The application form must be signed by the applicant and his/her department chair. If the applicant is the department chair, then a signature should be secured from the next reporting level.
2. Proposals must include a budget which has been developed in consultation with MIke Gonzalez in the Office of Research Administration.
3. For conference travel requests, proposals must include proof of acceptance of a paper/poster for presentation (e.g., the conference program; correspondence with the conference planner(s) confirming acceptance).
4. Although there is no mandatory cost-sharing requirement, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek additional sources of funding for projects and activities.  Departments are especially encouraged to provide cost-sharing for the proposed project or activities.
5. A statement of support from the department chair must be attached to the proposal attesting to how the activity will benefit the applicant’s research or creative activity.  The statement also should address the department’s policy on funding travel and research activities. For research-related expenses, the letter should state why the equipment and/or supplies are needed and how they will benefit the Department.  If the applicant is a department chair, then a letter of support should be secured from the next reporting level.
6. A Curriculum Vita must be included highlighting the applicant’s employment status and research accomplishments to date. The Committee encourages the submission of an abbreviated CV (i.e., no more than 3 pages).
7. Supporting materials and documentation that justify the proposal and expense requests are especially helpful. Examples of such materials include a description of the program/conference, the program/conference agenda, and verification of requested expenses (e.g., documented registration, lodging, and airfare costs; invoices for equipment or supplies).
8. Travel approval may be required depending on the current UW System policy.  Please consult with your department chair regarding such approval.

 

If you have any questions about completing or submitting your proposal, feel free to contact any of the CRCA Committee members for assistance.

 

Click here for the CRCA Application Form