Improving the competitiveness of research proposals by setting up meetings with prospective federal or foundation sponsors is the goal of a new program aimed at junior researchers, but open to all University of Oregon faculty members.
An initiative launched by the Office of the Vice President of Research and Innovation, the Early Career Faculty Travel Grant Program will provide funds for a group of new faculty members to travel to Washington, D.C., to build relationships with program officers at federal funding agencies.
“We’re excited to provide a chance for new faculty to meet funders and develop relationships that will support their work,” said Kate Petcosky-Kulkarni, director of strategic research initiatives for Research Development Services. “This program is part of a larger effort to invest in our research community by creating unique opportunities to support faculty in their efforts to secure external funding.”
Faculty members selected for the program will form a cohort of UO researchers that will travel to the nation’s capital from Sept. 16 to 19, to meet program officers at federal funding agencies. Members will conduct individual and group meetings with program officers and other officials at federal funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and National Endowment for the Humanities. The program covers transportation, lodging and per-diem expenses.
Members will also participate in two pre-travel workshops during the spring term to develop and refine a concept paper and learn best practices for connecting with and presenting research to federal sponsor program officers.
Priority for the awards will be given to early career faculty members who are preparing applications to specific agency programs. The initiative is part of Research Development Services’ strategic plans to provide support and training to new faculty members as they launch their research programs.
Those with the rank of assistant professor, associate professor, research assistant professor or research associate professor who hold a full-time appointment may apply, if their first quarter on campus began on or after September 2016. Emeritus, courtesy, visiting and pro-tem appointee ranks are ineligible.
Interested participants must submit a letter of interest offering a brief description of their specific research focus and the name of the agencies, and affiliated institutes or programs, with whom they would like to meet, along with a two-page curriculum vitae, or biographical sketch, via e-mail to rds@uoregon.edu by 5 p.m., Monday, April 22.
For additional questions, contact Kate Petcosky-Kulkarni at rds@uoregon.edu.