North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of North Dakota (UND) announce a joint call for the University Research Collaboration Program (URCP), funded by the Economic Diversification Research Funds (EDRF) appropriated in the 2023 ND Legislative session. The URCP requires a project in which faculty from NDSU collaborate with faculty at UND and include faculty or students from a third NDUS or NDTCS institution (i.e., a predominantly undergraduate institution, polytechnic institution, and/or Tribal college or university).

The University Research Collaboration Program seeks pilot collaboration projects in an area that addresses one or more of the purposes of the funding which are to:

1. stimulate economic activity across the state through innovation of new technology, concepts, and products;
2. promote job creation and career and wage growth;
3. enhance health care outcomes;
4. address loss of revenue and jobs in communities with economies that depend primarily on the fossil fuel industry;
5. and provide experiential learning opportunities for students.

Round 2 of the University Research Collaboration Program seeks pilot collaboration projects that foster research collaboration across institutions. The funds should support activities (data collection, materials, experimental or instrumentation needs, etc.) for a pilot project that leads to submission to an external funder. To be considered for funding, all proposals must include NDSU, UND, and a third higher education institution (NDUS or NDTCS).

Available Funding

• Award Term: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
• Total Funding Amount: $200,000 (contributed equally by NDSU and UND; the third partnering institution is not required to contribute funds).
• Level 1 Awards: Up to $25,000 for the combined total budget.
• Level 2 Awards: From $25,001 up to $50,000 for the combined total budget.
• The only difference between the Level 1 and the Level 2 award is the budget cap. All award requirements are the same.
• Number of Awards: Depends on qualified Level 1 and Level 2 proposals.

Eligibility

• NDSU teams must have team members from UND and faculty from another NDUS higher education institution that is predominantly an undergraduate institution, polytechnic institution, and/or a Tribal college or university.
• Selected teams from the first round of awards are ineligible for support in the second round.
• Other personnel and students may also collaborate on teams.
• Funding should support activities such as data collection, materials, experimental or instrumentation needs, etc.
• PIs may submit only one proposal, but may participate on multiple proposals as co-PIs or senior personnel.
• A PI or co-PI may receive salary from only one proposal if part of two or more awarded proposals.
• Letters from industry partners are encouraged but not required.

Budget
Allowable expenses include but are not limited to:

• Faculty, graduate/undergraduate student salary support (tuition will not be supported)
• Equipment, supplies
• Travel as required by the project, no conference travel will be supported
• Publication costs
• Direct costs only (no indirects will be allowed)

Review Process

• The lead research institution will conduct an internal review of proposals and submit a slate of proposals recommended for consideration by the non-lead research institution. Final decision-making will take into consideration the goals of the EDRF legislation, the research priorities and investments of the universities providing funding, the strength and record of the research team, the portfolio of institutions represented outside of UND and NDSU, the strength of the proposed project and potential for future external funding.    

Reporting Requirements

• Teams that are awarded funding may be required to submit monthly executive summaries of project progress and a final project report. Additional annual reporting deadlines will be aligned to the State Board of Higher Education approved timelines, currently under consideration.

How to Apply for UND’s Internal Competition

• Complete proposals with NDSU as the lead institution are due Friday, June 5, by 5pm (CT). Applications should be submitted through InfoReady . Teams that are awarded funding will be notified by Monday, July 1, 2024.

Complete proposals should include:

• Cover Page: Project title, PI and Co-PI names, email addresses, and institutional affiliations, lead institution, total budget amount.
• Project Description (up to 3 pages), which may include a description of the problem, the relevance, and the scope of work.
• Additional Sections (up to 2 pages in total).
  • Details on collaborating institutions and industry partners (if applicable).
  • Student involvement.
  • Anticipated outcomes.
  • Research priority alignment with institution priorities.
  • Anticipated economic diversification impacts.
• Estimated budget and budget justification (up to 3 pages).
  • NDSU budgeted funds, UND budgeted funds, and third ND institution budgeted funds.
  • Match or other sources of funding (optional)
• Timeline of project activities, including start date and end date.
• Proposed plan and timeline for external grant submissions, including agency/foundation and specific program.
• Project references.
• NSF or NIH Style Biosketches for PI, Co-PI, and senior personnel (up to 3 pages per investigator).