Can you be specific about what you mean about interdisciplinary or interdepartmental?

Interdepartmental indicates that PIs are from different departments. Interdisciplinary means PIs are in different disciplines though not necessarily different departments. For example, past grants have been awarded to faculty members in: Sociology and Mathematics/Education; Education and Civil Engineering; and Education and Chemistry and Molecular Biology/STEM Education. If PIs are housed in the same department but work in different fields, the interdiscplinarity of the proposed project may not be obvious to reviewers. Because the interdisciplinary nature of the research team is one of the primary grant criteria, be sure to delineate the differences in the PIs’ disciplines or areas of study.

Can student research assistantships be funded under Climate and Gender Grants?

Yes, student research assistantships can be funded with as part of a Climate and Gender Research Grant.

What are the guidelines? How many pages? What are the font size and margins?

Project Descriptions should not exceed five single‐spaced pages including tables and figures. FORWARD has not established other guidelines. Applicants should follow the guidelines of the external funding agency to which they intend to submit their proposal.

Are Climate and Gender Research Grants reviewed internally or externally?

Representatives of the NDSU FORWARD office screen proposals for compliance, and then compliant proposals are sent to at least two external reviewers. External reviewers will be selected for technical expertise related to the research area proposed. An NDSU internal review committee will evaluate the proposals, the external evaluators’ feedback, and make the award decisions. Special care will be taken to prevent conflicts of interest. Identities of all reviewers will remain confidential. Compliant applicants will receive internal and external review summaries. The evaluation form is posted on the FORWARD web site for your guidance as you prepare your proposal.

How do you select external reviewers? Can we select someone?

We select external researchers who work on issues of climate and gender at other ADVANCE Institutions. If we cannot identify a reviewer, we may contact you for names; however, we do not necessarily take those recommendations.

One component is to submit the proposal and manuscript, can you say where that is?

Awardees should submit manuscript(s) to appropriate peer-reviewed journal(s) and an appropriate funding agency.

How many do you expect funding for in this cycle?

The total number of awards is 1-3 annually.

What is the total for projects?

Yes, the budget cap is $10,000.

Mentor Relationship Travel Grant

What is the difference between a mentor and collaborator?

While “mentor” and “collaborator” are not mutually exclusive, a mentor typically guides junior faculty members and helps foster opportunities for those junior faculty members to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for successful teaching, research, and advancement. A collaborator, on the other hand, is an individual with whom one works jointly on research or teaching.

Could a mentor be a relationship you desire to have, but you don’t know the mentor currently?

Yes, FORWARD encourages Mentor Travel Grants to be used to establish a relationship with a new mentor.

Can you receive this award more than once?

Yes, an individual may receive the mentor travel grant multiple times.

To clarify, you apply January 15th and then you need to spend the money before August 31st. Is this correct?

Yes, applications are due January 15, awards are announced in February, and the funds must be expended by August 31.

Course Release Grant

My third year review is in January, would I be considered a priority since the funding will be after my 3rd year review?

Yes, priority will be given to Assistant Professors who have recently received a third year review. Associate Professors will be given priority status if two years past their promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and have at least two years before they intend to apply for promotion to Professor. Priority will also be given to those who were hired at Associate Professor rank and have at least two years before they intend to apply for promotion to Professor.

Leap Grant

If you had a bad third year review, would that be helpful or would that be hurtful?

Unless you were recommended for non-renewal, a bad third year review would not be hurtful. A bad third year review could demonstrate a need for more support for publications and funding, which would make a strong argument for receiving Leap Grant funding.

What are you hoping to see in the third year review?

In the third year review, we look for evidence that the applicant is making adequate progress toward tenure, but still has work to do related to research, such as a need for publications or funding.

Can Leap Grant funds be used to collect pilot data?

Yes, Leap Grants are seed or bridging research grants intended to increase the potential for STEM women faculty at NDSU to acquire external funding, thereby increasing their research productivity and potential for promotion and/or tenure. These are intended for faculty with great ideas who need some extra support to become competitive, so this funding is appropriate for a pilot project.  

What helps someone stand out and look more attractive for the reviewers?

A proposal that has followed instructions carefully and is well-thought out, well-researched, and clear will stand out to reviewers. Identification of the peer-reviewed journal and funding agency where the proposal will be submitted is also helpful.

In LEAP grants, do you select or can we suggest reviewers?

FORWARD selects reviewers. You may also suggest reviewers; however, we may or may not take your recommendations.

I have reviews from NSF that told me I needed pilot data before they would fund me. Should I tell you about those reviews?

Yes, Leap Grants are seed or bridging research grants intended to increase the potential for STEM women faculty at NDSU to acquire external funding, so reviews indicating a need for pilot data would make a strong case for a Leap Grant. Consider making note of the feedback on the funding page that you include with your Curriculum Vitae. 

I am a co-PI on a grant, but it does not benefit my research should I mention this on my application? Should I state my percentage of contribution to that grant?

Yes, all grant proposals funded, pending, and declined must be listed with the Curriculum Vitae, but may be included on additional pages. Clearly indicate which proposals have been submitted while at NDSU, state the percentage of contribution, and note whether you are a Co-PI or PI.

What is the desired outcome from the Leap grant?

Leap Grants are seed or bridging research grants intended to increase the potential for STEM women faculty at NDSU to acquire external funding, thereby increasing their research productivity and potential for promotion and/or tenure.  More specifically, Leap Grant awardees are obligated to submit manuscript(s) to peer-reviewed journal(s) and a research proposal to a funding agency, so preparing those documents are desired outcomes.

Is there a preference that you seek an NSF grant instead of NIH or another federal grant?

Although FORWARD receives funding from NSF, there is no preference between applying for NSF funds or other federal grants.

What is the time frame for the LEAP grant project?

For the current year, proposals were due on April 29, 2011, awards will be announced in July, and funds must be expended by August 31, 2012.

Can there be a PI and a Co-PI? Could two people apply jointly for a LEAP grant? If someone was a Co-PI on a LEAP grant, could they later apply as a PI for a second leap grant?

Yes, applying jointly or as PI and Co-PI is acceptable, and a Co-PI would be eligible for a second Leap Grant as a PI.

If I am new to NDSU and had external funding before, would it be appropriate to apply for a LEAP grant?

Yes, Leap Grants are seed or bridging research grants intended to increase the potential for STEM women faculty at NDSU to acquire external funding, thereby increasing their research productivity and potential for promotion and/or tenure, and because a new faculty member has not established herself at NDSU, she would be eligible for a Leap Grant, even having received previous funding. Be sure to list all grant proposals funded, pending, and declined with the Curriculum Vitae.

I had a R15, is it appropriate to apply for a leap grant?

Leap Grants are seed or bridging research grants intended to increase the potential for STEM women faculty at NDSU to acquire external funding, thereby increasing their research productivity and potential for promotion and/or tenure. These are intended for faculty with great ideas who need some extra support to become competitive. These are not intended for those who have already demonstrated success at obtaining external funding. Therefore, if you were a PI on a R15, then applying for a Leap Grant would not be appropriate; however, if you were a Co-PI, applying for a Leap Grant would be appropriate.

Who does the reviews of the applications? Who is considered an external reviewer?

Representatives of the NDSU FORWARD office screen proposals for compliance. Compliant proposals will be sent to at least two external reviewers. External reviewers will be selected for technical expertise related to the research area proposed. An NDSU internal review committee will evaluate the proposals, the external evaluators’ feedback, and make the award decisions. Special care will be taken to prevent conflicts of interest. Identities of all reviewers will remain confidential. Compliant applicants will receive internal and external review summaries. The evaluation forms are posted on the FORWARD web site for your guidance as you prepare your proposal.

External reviewers are external to the institution and have content expertise related to the research area.

As a non-STEM faculty member, am I eligible for a Leap grant since I do STEM- like research?

NDSU Advance FORWARD proposes to increase advancement of women faculty in core STEM disciplines, including the biological sciences, agricultural sciences, computer sciences, earth sciences, mathematical sciences, physical sciences, psychology, sociology and engineering. Therefore, assistant, associate, and not‐yet‐tenured Professor ranks of NDSU women faculty in STEM disciplines may apply.

If you have a PhD student, could you designate a part of the budget to fund a stipend for that student on your leap grant?

Yes, funding graduate student researcher as part of the Leap Grant is encouraged because funding graduate students is a good way to grow a research program.

On the budget page, why does it list in-directs?

In-directs are listed because we use the standard NDSU budget form.

What should be included in the three-page summary? What should be emphasized in the three-page summary?

Refer to the external and internal reviewer criteria listed on the reviewer forms.  Make sure you have enough information for a reviewer to evaluate your proposal with respect to your research.

What would you suggest to emphasize on the two pages of vita?

Consult the guidelines of the funding agency to which the proposal will be submitted, and tailor the vita accordingly. Also, be sure to follow FORWARD’s instructions as well.

Is the Leap grant presentation online or not?

The Leap Grant PowerPoint is available on the FORWARD website: http://www.ndsu.edu/forward/advance_forward_initiatives/leap_research_grant_program/.

General Grant FAQ

Will those who received Leap and Climate and Gender grants be giving presentations to the NDSU community?

Yes, LEAP and Climate and Gender grant awardees are obligated to present their findings to campus. 

Among the grants of the FORWARD program, what is more competitive?

Leap grants are the most competitive.

Will you have similar workshops for the other grants later?

Yes, grant information sessions are offered throughout the year.

Is the selection of external reviewers the same for other grants across the board?

Only Climate and Gender Grants and Leap Grants are reviewed externally, but, yes, the selection process is the same for both grants.

General FAQs

How can I re-watch the workshop or get more copies of the handouts?

Depending on which FORWARD initiative the workshop is related to, resources are available here: www.ndsu.edu/forward/advance_forward_initiatives/ or www.ndsu.edu/forward/resources/forward_lecture_series_on_faculty_advancement/. If you cannot find the resource you’re looking for, contact FORWARD at ndsu.forward@ndsu.edu