DEADLINE: Friday, June 11, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
Small Equipment Grant Program 2021 Request for Applications (RFA)
Proposal Submission
Please visit the Syracuse University Application Portal at https://syracuse.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1841817.
Purpose
Research infrastructure often becomes a limiting factor for routine operations of laboratories and research programs. This is particularly true with relatively small-size equipment because such equipment often is more expensive than is affordable on a research grant, but less expensive than those that can be funded through extramural equipment grant programs. The Small Equipment Grant Program is designed to strengthen research capacity and capability at Syracuse University. Up to $600,000 per year will be awarded through this mechanism as made possible by the Invest Syracuse Initiative. This document provides guidelines for the Small Equipment Grant Program.
Equipment Eligibility
These awards are intended to bridge the gap between major research equipment as funded through extramural grants (and requests for equipment in individual research project grants) and small items often purchased through faculty research accounts. Requests to purchase significant components for large equipment upgrades are also allowed, as long as the needs are well justified and critical to the function of the equipment. Requests to purchase databases or large datasets required for research are allowed, but such databases/datasets must be thoroughly justified and intended for use by multiple faculty researchers. Use of databases/datasets by multiple researchers should be identified in the application narrative, by the inclusion of Co-PIs, and as verified by statements from the chair, director, dean or associate dean of the applicant’s school or college in the required letter of commitment.
Small Equipment Grants are intended for acquisition of research equipment only—requests for funding for computers, iPads or other personalized electronics are not allowed. Additionally, no general supplies can be proposed, nor will facilities or ongoing maintenance costs be considered. As necessary, funding for such costs will be the responsibility of the purchasing department and/or school or college, as determined by the chair and associate dean for research of each.
Applicant Eligibility
Full-time faculty of Syracuse University with an expectation for research as part of their formal appointment are eligible to apply as PI or Co-PI. Equipment sharing is strongly encouraged. Only one application per PI is allowed. Applicants may serve as Co-PIs on an unlimited number of applications.
Funding
The Small Equipment Grant Program will pay 100% of the first $25,000 of equipment costs. For equipment costs between $25,000 to $50,000, costs will be equally shared between the Grant Program and the department, school or college. This 1:1 cost share for funds between $25,000 and $50,000 must be secured by the applicants with letters of commitment from either the department chair (for departmental funds) or from the dean of the school/college (for school or college funds), or as a combined letter from both the chair and dean.
The minimum amount for an equipment award request is $5,000. There is no maximum equipment cost; however, the Small Equipment Grant Program is intended to support equipment not obtainable through traditional mid-to-large scale equipment grant programs from extramural funders, so preference will be given to proposals for equipment that fall between $5,000 to $100,000. The Small Equipment Grant Program is also not intended to fund the purchase of equipment approved as part of a faculty startup package. The maximum amount of an award from the Office of Research will be $37,500 for equipment costing $50,000 or more.
Project Duration
Equipment must be purchased by June 30, 2022. For exceptional cases, the Office of Research retains discretion to grant a one-time only purchase extension period of up to 6 months. Requests for extensions must be made via email to VPR@syr.edu by May 31, 2022, 30 days prior to the end of the project period.
Questions
For questions about the Small Equipment Grant Program RFA, please contact Christina Leigh Docteur cdocteur@syr.edu. For questions regarding use of the Application Portal, please contact Jeff Falchi jtfalchi@syr.edu.