The Office of the Vice President for Research announces the availability of funds for nanoscience research.  The goals of the initiative are twofold: i) to support the development of pioneering research to be linked with Wayne State University, and ii) to serve as seed money in externally funded high-risk/high-pay initiatives.

The OVPR will provide $400,000 in research funding in the form of four awards of approximately $100,000 each, which will allow full-time Wayne State University faculty to develop innovative nanotechnologies that will transform nanoscience.  Emphasis will be placed on the funding of truly original studies that have great impact on the field. With the exception of faculty salaries, there will be no limits on the usage of funding, which can cover equipment, student salary, chemicals, analyses, supplies, etc.

Funding period:  2 years, with availability of funds anticipated by April 1, 2008.

Eligbility: Full-time faculty at Wayne State University.

Proposal Components:  The grant application should include:

1. A maximum of 10 pages, double-spaced should include the following: Title of proposal; PI (and any co-PIs or co-Investigators), contact information for PI, Abstract (limit 350 words), Introduction/Overview/Background, Preliminary Results and Proposed Research (goals, specific aims, methods, anticipated outcomes), Budget Justification and References.  Within the Preliminary Results and Proprosed Research section, describe how this proposal fits in with your overall research program and how it addresses novel questions or approaches.
2. A one-page budget broken down for each year of funds requested, with the general categories of personnel, equipment (defined as $5000 or more), materials and supplies (including computers that cost less than $5000), fees (facility/fabrication/computer licensing, etc.) and travel.
3. A list of all currently active grants, including amounts and time period.
4. A list of all internal research support received in the past 5 years.
5. A list of pending grant applications with dates of submission.
6. A list of current graduate students, post docs and technicians with source of funding.
7. A copy of your current resume, not to to exceed 2 pages (use NSF style).

At the end of the award period, funded PIs must submit a proposal to a national funding agency, which they will share with the OVPR and will serve as a progress report.  Failure to comply with this requisite may jeopardize any future internal funding.  Similarly, any paper published on the results of the research should acknowledge the OVPR.

Applications should be submitted electronically to Sarah James (sjames@wayne.edu) in a single PDF by Thursday, January 31, 2008. 

An internal committee will review the applications and award announcements will be made on March 28, 2008.