| FY '08 Research Reports Now Available |
 The Research Area produces two complementary publications that report on the campus's fiscal year research activities. The Office of Grant and Contract Administration (OGCA) has issued its Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Cumulative Data report. This detailed piece includes views of FY'08 proposal and award activity, distribution of award and proposal dollars by sponsor, distribution of award dollars by MBU, proposal and award trends and much more. The report is available here.
The UMass Amherst Report on Research is a marketing piece designed to give our constituents a broad view of the campus's strategic research initiatives, technology transfer, private donations for research and Research Area internal grant programs in addition to sponsored activities. A PDF of the report is here.
The Report on Research is also available in print for campus recruiting or other marketing needs. Please contact Michelle Wonsey, RL&D (545-2706) if you are interested in receiving copies.
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New $1 Million UMass Life Science Research Fund
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The University of Massachusetts Medical School, in conjunction with the University's President's Office, has established a "UMass Life Sciences Moment Fund." This $1 million fund, emanating from the work of the UMass Life Sciences Task Force and endorsed by the task force as a key strategic recommendation, will complement the existing and highly successful "President's Science and Technology [S&T] Initiatives Fund." Unlike the President's S&T Fund, however, the "UMass Life Sciences Moment Fund" will support projects that are inter-campus in orientation, each with a collaborator from the Worcester campus and directed towards life sciences projects related to clinical and translational research. [READ MORE] |
| As Economy Slows, Clean Energy Jobs May Grow
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Will green industries speed up as the rest of the economy slows? There are indications that this is happening, but what are green jobs and what are the prospects for stimulating the Massachusetts economy through investments in clean energy? These questions are the subject of the Clean Energy Connections Conference and Opportunity Fair in Springfield. Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. The conference keynote speaker is Bracken Hendricks, a founder of the national non-profit, Apollo Alliance, and co-author of the 2007 book, Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy. Other featured speakers are State Sen. Benjamin Downing, State Rep. Daniel Bosley, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources commissioner Phil Giudice, and Chris Kilfoyle, president of Berkshire Photovoltaics Corp. Clean Energy Connections is intended to be a forum for the individuals and organizations accelerating the growth of the clean energy economy in Massachusetts and those seeking clean-energy career information. A limited number of EXHIBITOR TABLES is still available. Complete information and registration: www.umass.edu/green or call 545-2706. [Go to Top] |
| Funding Opportunities |
UMass Life Sciences Moment Fund
Total awards: $1 million (individual awards will vary)
Application deadline: Dec. 1
The "UMass Life Sciences Moment Fund" will serve as a dedicated pool of funding to spur inter-campus collaboration and strengthen the university's research portfolio in the clinical and translational research space. Please also see above article about the Fund. Details here. CVIP Technology Development Fund
Award: $25,000
Application deadline: Jan. 9
The UMass Office of Commercial Ventures & Intellectual Property (CVIP) has announced the 6th annual solicitation for the CVIP Technology Development Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to assist faculty and the CVIP offices with the commercial development of important technologies discovered on the UMass campuses. The Fund was created as part of the University's science and technology activities. To date CVIP has funded 34 projects with excellent results. This funding has led to several licenses, significant increases in project funding of about $3 million for several technologies, two start ups, and two other potential startups. This includes licensing income and equity in these companies. Details are here.
NSF Waterman Award for Young Researchers
Award: $500,000
Application deadline: Dec. 5
The National Science Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2009 Alan T. Waterman Award. The Waterman Award is NSF's highest honor for researchers under the age of 35. Nominees are accepted from any field of science or engineering that NSF supports. In addition to the grant of $500,000 over a three-year period for scientific research or advanced study in any field of science or engineering supported by the NSF, the award recipient will receive a medal and an invitation to the formal awards ceremony in Washington, DC. Details here.
For Student-Run Businesses That Address Health and Environmental Problems
Funding amounts vary Application deadline: Dec. 19
Venture Well is a new program of the Hadley, Mass.-based National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). Venture Well will fund select university student entrepreneurs. The focus is on ventures that are creating scalable, market-oriented solutions to health and environmental problems. Details are here.
FOUNDATION FUNDING
Faculty interested in applying for the following foundation-sponsored opportunities are encouraged to contact Susan Worgaftik (413-547-2956) for assistance or more information. The application deadline is listed before each funding opportunity.
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| Announcements |
"What You Need to Know" Series AvailableOver the past year, Research ACCESS published a series of articles with information useful to UMass Amherst researchers. The series included articles about the technology transfer process, and about the two kinds of costs included in researchers' budgets when they apply for a grant or contract: direct and indirect costs. Now, all these articles are available here on one convenient web page. The articles are: "Understanding Indirect Costs" (Oct. 2007), "Indirect Costs: Rate Setting and Allocation" (Nov. 2007), "Indirect Cost Modification" (Dec. 2007), "Defining Direct Costs (March 2008), "Tips and Tactics for Budgeting Direct Costs (April 2008); "How to Handle Time-Costing/Effort Commitments and Allocating Costs in Interdisciplinary Projects" (May 2008), "10 Myths About Technology Transfer (Sept. 2008), and "The Steps of the Technology Transfer Process" (Oct. 2008). Related articles will appear in future issues of Research ACCESS. They will be added to the new web page. Reminder: Clean Energy Jobs Conference in Springfield Nov. 22UMass Amherst departments and programs offering educational and research opportunities related to clean energy are invited to participate in the Clean Energy Connections Conference and Opportunity Fair, Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. This event will get information about your programs in front of students and professionals seeking education and training for careers in the clean energy sector -- one of the Commonwealth's strategic growth industries. Contact Karen Hayes Research Liaison and Development 545-9586 for details on how to participate. Faculty are also encouraged to tell their students about this event. Student scholarships are available and the Opportunity Fair is free, though registration is required. Conference information and registration can be found on the Clean Energy Connections web site. A & F How-To Guide for Deans, Chairs, Directors, and Department Heads AvailableThe UMass Amherst Administration and Finance office has published the "Administration and Finance How-To Reference Guide for Deans, Chairs, Directors, and Department Heads." The Guide provides information on Administration and Finance services, policies, and procedures that are important for managers. The Guide is available online here. Paper copies can be obtained by calling the Administration and Finance office at 545-1581. Space for Innovation: Analytical Chemistry Lab
The campus periodically serves the community by posting rental properties for those entrepreneurially-minded faculty members seeking additional space for their work. Available to UMass Amherst faculty, students and staff: A well-equipped, air-conditioned modern analytical chemistry laboratory, office, manufacturing and warehouse space (8,600 square feet) is now available for biology, chemistry, biochemistry, life sciences, polymer science, engineering or other scientific research. Close to UMass and Amherst Center (85 North Whitney St.). Ideal for start-up business. More information and list of equipment is available from Louis Greenbaum (UMass Amherst Emeritus History Professor) via e-mail or at 549-6478. Libraries Awarded Image Collection Library Diversity GrantThe W.E.B. Du Bois Library Image Collection Library was awarded a Diversity Grant for $6,000 by the General Education Council. The grant for the proposal "Digital Images, Diversity and Access: Creating a Diverse Image Collection Library" will fund the creation of 1,500 digital images, available by May 2009, of art work produced by Latin-American, African-American, and women artists. The Image Collection Library's digital images will be accessible by any UMass campus community member and will be available for use in classroom presentations, study review, and research. More information is here. NIH Offers Loan Repayment Plan for Grad StudentsDeadline for applications: Dec. 1. NIH is accepting applications for its extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs). The LRPs repay up to $35,000 of educational loan debt annually for individuals who commit to conducting at least two years of qualified biomedical or behavioral research at a nonprofit institution of their choice. Details are here. Go to Top |
Calls for Papers, Nominations, and Participation
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Nominations Wanted for Women in Science Fellowships
Deadline: Dec. 15. The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is seeking nominations for its 2009 Class of AWIS Fellows. The Fellows Program aims to recognize and honor women and men who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to the achievement of equity for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Fellows represent all segments of society including government, business, education, and the not-for-profit community. AWIS Fellows must be nominated by an AWIS member. Nominees do not need to be AWIS members. Details are here. AWIS members Marla Michel and Barbara Pearson of UMass Amherst are available to make nominations.
Papers on Memory Technologies and on Analog and Mixed-Signal Devices Sought
Deadlines Dec. 4 and 11: The
Device Sciences area of the Semiconductor Research Corporation Global
Research Collaboration in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina is
soliciting white papers in two areas: The first area is Analog and
Mixed-Signal Devices. These white papers are due Dec. 4, 2008 at 3
p.m. Details are here. The second area is Memory Technologies. These white papers are due on Dec. 11, 2008 at 3 p.m. Details are here.
The National Medal of Science Seeks Nominees
Deadline:
Dec. 5, 2008. Help
celebrate the contributions of your colleagues by submitting a
nomination for The National Medal of Science. The National Medal of
Science was established in 1959 as a Presidential Award to be given to
individuals "deserving of special recognition by reason of their
outstanding contributions to knowledge in the physical, biological,
mathematical, or engineering sciences." In 1980 Congress expanded this
recognition to include the social and behavioral sciences. Details are here.
Innovation Events Seek Participants
Apply now. The UMass Amherst-sponsored Innovation Challenge happens in fall 2008 and spring 2009. The deadline for the fall event was Nov. 7, but "exceptions will be granted if space is available." The Hadley, Mass.-based National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance is seeking participants/teams for the Advanced Invention to Venture (AI2V) workshop, Jan. 21-24, 2009.
Participation Sought in Research on How Computers Can Boost Democracy
Stuart Shulman is a new Political Science faculty member at UMass Amherst. He is co-chair of the 10th International Digital Government Research Conference (dg.o 2009). He is also Associate Director of the National Center for Digital Government at UMass Amherst and editor of the Journal of Information Technology and Politics. Shulman writes: "I want to extend an invitation to anyone thinking of doing Digital Government (DG) research. The central focus of this interdisciplinary community of research is basic research that results in government innovation using IT to facilitate citizen-government interaction. I would be happy to meet with anyone thinking of work that might fall under this very broad domain. One of the exciting parts of DG research is meeting with agency or NGO officials in the capacity of a collaborator. In these collaborations we are forging technologies of democratic innovation."
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| Events |
Nov. 13 and 20: The UMass Amherst Center for Research on Families 2008 Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture Series. Nov. 13: W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D., National Institute for Early Education Research, Rutgers University, "Early education, parenting education, and parent involvement: what works and what doesn't." Nov. 20: Suzanne M. Miller, Ph.D., Fox Chase Cancer Center, "To See or Not to See: Monitoring vs. blunting styles of coping influence how individuals and their families respond to health challenges." Both events: 4 p.m., 620 Thompson Hall, UMass Amherst Nov. 13 and 20, Dec. 4, 10 and 11: noon - 1 p.m., OGCA Brown Bag Lunch Series. Nov. 13: General Q & A for OGCA, room 104 Research Administration Building (RAB), 70 Butterfield Terrace; Nov. 20: NIH National Research Service Awards (NRSA) Fellowships, Campus Center room 904; Dec. 4: Human subjects - how to get approval, RAB room 104; Dec. 10: Fringe rates and working with GAMS, Campus Center room 904; Dec. 11: JIT Information Preparation, RAB room 104. To confirm attendance or for further information, please contact Helen Bishop by e-mail or at 545-0698. Nov. 19: OGCA Training: "Finding Funding." Learn how to use your COS workbench for running, saving, and sharing funding searches. Make COS's 25,000 funding opportunity records work for you. 10:30-11:30 a.m., 613 Goodell. Call or email Helen Bishop at OGCA 545-0698 by Nov. 17.
Nov. 22: Clean
Energy Connections, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., MassMutual Center,
Springfield, Mass. Clean Energy Connections is a career and business
development information and networking event. Keynote speaker Bracken Hendricks is Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, co-author of "Apollo's Fire: Igniting America's Clean Energy Economy," and co-founder of the Apollo Alliance , a national movement for clean energy and good jobs. More information and online registration are here.
Nov. 25: Workshop: Teaching With Digital Inking Pad; chance to win a free Pad ($500 value); 10 a.m., Campus Center 101; Learn how you can teach from anywhere in the classroom with an "infinite whiteboard." For more information, please contact Mei-Yau Shih, Ph.D., Associate Director, UMass Amherst Center for Teaching, 545-1225
Dec. 11: Regional Technology Corporation (RTC) meeting, 8-11 a.m. at the Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA. Boston Globe columnist Scott Kirsner will speak about innovation and entrepreneurship in the New England economy, and in comparison to other regions. To sponsor this event, contact Ellen Bemben by e-mail or at 413-755-1320. To reserve seating, contact Suzanne Parker by e-mail or at 413-755-1301.
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| OGCA Histograms |
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New Faculty |
The Research Area looks forward to working with more than 60 new faculty this year from schools and departments across campus. Research ACCESS also profiled new faculty in the previous two issues. We will conclude the profiles next issue. Click on a person's name for their email address, if available. Click here to see the research interests of these faculty.
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October Grants & Contracts Snapshot |
Each month ACCESS includes a selection of grants and contracts awarded to faculty from across campus to provide a sense of what's going on in research at UMass Amherst. These listings reflect only a small fraction of the total sponsored activity for any given month. Since this is just a snapshot in time and grant/contract terms vary, actual award totals may be higher than the amounts listed.
Kathleen F. Arcaro
Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Sponsor: Army Medical Research
Title: Descriptive Biomarkers for Assessing Breast Cancer Risk
Total Award: $468,574
Anne L. Averill
Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences
Sponsor: University of Georgia
Title: Sustainable Solutions to Problems Affecting Health of Managed Bees
Total Award: $61,688
R. Charlie Carpenter
Political Science
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: Issue Addoption in Transnational Networks
Total Award: $451,019
Duane W. Greene
Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences
Sponsor: Environmental Protection Agency
Title: Integrated Control of Potato Leafhopper (Empoasca fabae Harris) on Apple (Malus x domestica) in New England During a Fire Blight
Total Award: $32,401
Ryan C. Howard
Polymer Science and Engineering
Sponsor: Army Research Office
Title: STIR: Active Polymer Microconstructs (Polymer Chemistry)
Total Award: $50,000
Brian Levine
Computer Science
Sponsor: US Dept of Justice
Title: Peerless: A System for Identifying and Gathering Evidence of PSP Trafficking
Total Award: $237,834
Lucia N. Miller
Fine Arts Center
Sponsor: University of Mass-Fdn Inc
Title: Understanding the Middle East and Asia in our Schools
Total Award: $5,000
Gretchen B. Rossman
Educational, Policy Research & Admin
Sponsor: Peace Corps
Title: New England Regional Recruitment Office Contract of Peace Corps 2008-2009
Total Award: $17,475
H. Dennis Ryann III
Natural Resources Conservation
Sponsor: Tree Fund
Title: Measuring Breaking Strength of Climbing Systems
Total Award: $25,000
Christine A. Smith
Educational Policy Research & Admin
Sponsor: UNICEF-Bangkok, Thailand
Title: NonFormal Education Desk Review
Total Award: $24,977
Margaret J. Speas
Linguistics
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: Recursion: Structural Complexity in Language and Cognition
Total Award: $64,737
Grant Wilson
Astronomy
Sponsor: Southern University and A&M College
Title: Correlative Radio Observations of Cosmic Gamma-Ray Sources: A Partnership Program in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Total Award: $102,033
Kaimei Zheng
School of Management
Sponsor: IBM Corp
Title: Web-based Curriculum Innovation for IBM Technologies
Total Award: $13,000
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