Science and Technology Initiatives

Summary of State and Regional S&T Initiatives - Spreadsheet of Current Regional and Statewide S&T Initiatives

UMass Science & Technology Initiative Fund

The UMASS S&T Initiatives Fund in the amount of $1M is a tool to assist the campuses in developing strategic alliances to pursue major new S&T funding opportunities that benefit both UMASS and the Commonwealth's economy. It will provide seed funding to campuses or groups of campuses that will help position them to develop and compete for major new S&T initiatives in such areas as research and development, commercialization and business development, workforce development, and international S&T alliances.

It is expected that use of these funds will enable the campuses to better compete for major new federal centers, for proposals funded under the state's Economic Stimulus legislation, as well as for creative new alliances with public agencies or consortia of Massachusetts industry.

These funds may be used to support faculty release time, sabbaticals, travel, hiring of staff or consultants, and other such expenses associated with developing major new S&T initiatives. These funds are not of the scale nor intended to be used as a direct cash match for grant programs. It is anticipated that awards will be made in the $50 - 250 K range, but the President's Office reserves the right to be flexible in this regard.

Application and Decision-Making Process

This year, brief "concept papers" will be required before soliciting full proposals. This provides the President's Office with the opportunity to identify proposals from different campuses that might be linked together and to assist researchers in developing the strongest possible full proposals.

Concept papers are due on Tuesday, February 28, 2006. These papers should be one-two pages in length and outline the thrust of the project, the funding opportunities to be pursued, the expected nature of collaboration, the project leadership and estimated cost. All concept papers need to demonstrate the endorsement of the Chancellor (or multiple Chancellors in the case of multi-campus initiatives).

Decisions on the concept papers will be made by Friday, March 24, 2006 and successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.

Full Proposals due April 28, 2006

Applications should be no more than 5 pages in length. They should provide a basic project description, proposed use of funds and analysis of how each of the criteria for the award would be addressed. All proposals need the endorsement of the Chancellor or multiple Chancellors in the case of multi-campus proposals.

Submission

All concept papers and pre-proposals should be submitted to:

Jeff Brancato
President's Office
Assoc. VP for Economic Development
225 Franklin St., 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
jbrancato@umassp.edu
617-287-7223

Awards Criteria

The criteria for awarding funds from the S&T fund include:

• high quality science and technology

• the potential for leveraging substantial outside funding

• collaboration among UMASS campuses and/or with other Massachusetts research institutions and Massachusetts industry

• the potential importance to Massachusetts industry and potential economic impact on the state

• relation to strategic opportunities identified in the S&T Roadmap and Strategic Alliances Study, developed by Battelle Institute for Mass Insight

• the presence of strong project leadership and commitment

• the endorsement of a chancellor(s) and evidence of co-investment by the campus(es) and other partners.

The Office of Research Liaison and Development can help with your proposal submission. For more information contact the RL&D office at 545-2706.

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