UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COUNCIL
DR. GEORGE E. KLINZING, CHAIR
MINUTES -- APRIL 25, 2001

The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m.

FY02 CENTRAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

Social Sciences & Humanities Subcommittee -- Steven Husted

As chairman of the subcommittee, Steve Husted presented the report to Council of the subcommittee's deliberations and recommendations for funding.  Nineteen proposals were submitted to the subcommittee this year, a majority of which were from junior faculty.  The subcommittee based its recommendations on the following criteria:

  • whether the Principal Investigator is a junior or senior faculty member
  • soundness of methodology
  • probability of success

The subcommittee recommended 11 proposals be funded at the full amount requested.  Three proposals were recommended for funding at a reduced level.  While the subcommittee felt these proposals merited support, there was was some question as to the adequacy of the sample size proposed, whether the support requested was consistent with the Small Grants Program guidelines, and many more questions were raised than were addressed by the proposal.

Health Sciences Subcommittee -- Jack Yalowich

The Health Sciences Subcommittee received 18 proposals for review.  Proposals were ranked on merit alone with no special preference given to those submitted by junior faculty.  Three reviews were obtained for each proposal and each proposal was ranked in one of three categories:  Definitely Fund, Fund if Possible, and Fund if There is Money.  The subcommittee recommended 9 proposals for full funding.  Two proposals were recommended for funding at a reduced level as the subcommittee felt that the equipment proposed for purchase could be purchased from start-up funds or is available in another school.  One proposal was recommended for funding provided it was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board.  The subcommittee considered the overall quality of the proposals to be excellent and requested that reviewers' comments be returned to applicants regardless whether the proposal was funded or not.

Science and Engineering Subcommittee -- Frank Tabakin

The Science and Engineering Subcommittee reviewed 22 proposals and ranked each in one of four categories:  Definitely Fund, Fund if Possible, Fund if There is Money, and Do Not Fund.  Taking into consideration the Principal Investigator's rank as well as the merits of the proposal, the subcommittee recommended 10 proposals for full funding.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The "Successful University Researchers Workshop" will be held on Friday, May 4, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in 2K56 Posvar Hall.  Panelists are German Barrionuevo, Eric Beckman, Lewis Kuller, and Katheryn Linduff.  Each will give a 10-minute presentation of tips and techniques for developing and maintaining a successful research program.  Participants will have the opportunity to interact with the panelists in the form of a question and answer session after each presentation.

Jane Hansberry is tentatively scheduled to give a workshop on writing proposals for foundations and nonprofit institutions on June 12.

Your assistance in publicizing these workshops and encouraging your colleagues' attendance is greatly appreciated.

NEW BUSINESS

No new business was discussed.
 

The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for Thursday, June 7, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in 817 Cathedral of Learning.  Please note the change in date.
 

cc: Elizabeth Baranger, N. John Cooper, Gerald Holder