FRD Guidelines

The Office of Research is pleased to announce the Faculty Research and Development (FRD) Program. The goal of the FRD Program is to invest in a diverse portfolio of graduate faculty research to increase the level of external funding received by the University. Priority is given to faculty with prior external funding and to new faculty with a strong potential for external funding. Proposals may request funds to enhance established programs, to conduct pilot studies, to develop new research programs, to establish or enhance partnerships, or to conduct any other activities that significantly advance the University's potential for external funding.

Program Expectation

The primary expectation of the FRD program is that participants will submit a competitive grant proposal for external funding. The FRD program provides targeted support for projects that could not otherwise be undertaken without internal funding. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the proposed work will enhance the applicant’s competitiveness for external funding.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Potential for External Competitiveness and Impact (50 points)
   Quality, originality, and potential significance of the proposed research; clarity and feasibility of the goals and methods; and strength of the rationale for internal investment. Proposals should make a compelling case that the project requires FRD support to advance to a stage of competitiveness for major external funding. Reviewers will consider the likelihood that the work will lead to a strong external grant proposal and the importance of the proposed research to the applicant’s broader scholarly agenda. 
      
2. Investigator and Team Capacity (50 points)
   Qualifications, expertise, and track record of the principal investigator and any collaborators to carry out the proposed project and successfully pursue external funding. Reviewers will consider recent scholarly productivity and grant-seeking activity, as well as the balance between demonstrated capability and the applicant’s need for developmental support. Priority will be given to new investigators and applicants for whom FRD funding would provide a meaningful opportunity to become more competitive for external awards.

Eligibility

See general eligibility guidelines

Award Terms and Conditions

The award period is 12 months and begins on May 15 following award notification. All unexpended grant funds at the end of the award period will revert to the Office of Research. No extension will be granted beyond the end of the 12 month award period. See the general award terms and conditions for additional requirements.

Reporting Requirements

See general reporting requirements

Allowable Expenditures

See general guidelines

Application Guidelines

Proposals should be written in language that can be understood by non-specialists. Proposals should be written with 12-point font on letter-sized paper with one-inch margins, should consist of a single PDF, and should include the following sections.

Cover Page

Use the provided cover page template available here.

Abstract

A maximum 200-word summary of the proposed research.

Project Description

A maximum five-page narrative describing the proposed research and plans for obtaining external funding. Include the following:

• Planned external grant opportunity. The external grant opportunity that the proposed project will position them to pursue, including the type of grant, target funding agency or program, anticipated total budget request, and expected submission date or timeline. Significance and goals of the proposed research. Describe the importance, goals, and anticipated contributions of the project. Explain how this work aligns with the mission or priorities of the intended funding agency.
     
• Rationale for FRD support. Explain why internal FRD funding is essential for developing a competitive external proposal. Describe how the requested support will address key needs—such as generating pilot data, testing feasibility, strengthening partnerships, or refining methods—that cannot be met with existing resources.
     
• Research plan. Detail the research design, data sources, analytic approach, and key activities to be undertaken with FRD support. Emphasize how each element of the plan contributes to developing a competitive external proposal. Describe how the proposed activities are feasible within the FRD budget and project period.
     

Additional relevant information. Provide any relevant contextual details, such as communication with the funding agency or program officer, related prior work, or results and reviewer feedback from a previous submission of the external grant (if this is a resubmission).

Applicants who have recently received startup funding must provide a clear and compelling justification for the need for additional financial support.

Funding Limit

FRD awards are limited to a maximum of $40,000.

References

Include a one-page list of bibliographic references. This does not count toward the five-page maximum for the narrative. 

Curriculum Vitae

Provide an abbreviated CV (maximum two pages) for each project participant. Each CV should include:

• Record of external funding over the past five years.
• Selected relevant publications demonstrating the PI’s and team’s expertise.

Support Letters

Include appropriate letters of support, if applicable. For example, if course release time is requested, include a letter from the Department Chair, co-signed by the Academic Dean, describing: The teaching load policy in the academic unit, how that policy affects the applicant, replacement costs associated with the release time request.

Submit Application

When you are all finished preparing your FRD proposal, use this online form to submit your application. You will receive an email confirmation after you successfully submit the form.

Timeline

See general guidelines