Research
How to apply for a Seed Grant
The Penn State MRSEC invites proposals for the 2011 Seed competition. To prepare the MRSEC for a successful renewal in the 2013-4 cycle, the Seed program in 2011 is intended to refocus existing IRGs and additionally to nucleate and nurture one or two potential new IRGs to be considered for inclusion in the renewal proposal. As such, two distinct types of Seed proposals will be considered:
- If you have an idea for a Seed proposal that relates organically to one of the existing IRGs, you are strongly encouraged to consult with the membership of that IRG to explore the possibility of becoming part of their IRG Redirection Seed proposal. Each existing IRG in the MRSEC can submit only one IRG Redirection Seed proposal, which is designed to refocus and rejuvenate the research program of the IRG in preparation for the renewal. The current IRG research efforts are described at http://archive.mrsec.psu.edu.
- Ideas for new IRG topics that do not relate organically to an existing IRG of the MRSEC can submit New IRG Seed proposals. Existing MRSEC Seeds that are on a path towards possibly nucleating a new IRG can also apply for a continuance of their efforts by submitting an IRG Seed proposal in the 2011 round.
Seed proposals of both types will be assessed on an equal footing for their promise to evolve into compelling IRGs to be included in the MRSEC renewal proposal. The format, page length and deadlines are the same for both types of Seed proposals. The proposals contain three parts: (1) a project description, not to exceed 5 pages total (12 point font, 1" margins; the page limit does not apply to references), (2) a brief budget description, and (3) CV's of the principal investigators, of any reasonable length. The format of the budget statement is flexible and may include user fees. Support of graduate students is encouraged.
The 5-page project description should include a paragraph that describes any overlap with current research supported by the nationwide NSF MRSEC program. Note that the NSF prefers to avoid substantial overlap between the research topics within its stable of MRSEC IRGs, so overlap with an existing MRSEC IRG elsewhere is a significant negative. Information about these programs can be found at http://www.mrsec.org.
IRG redirection projects will be funded at approximately $50K in direct costs for 12-18 months (IRGs are expected to reallocate internally additional funds, if necessary). New IRG Seeds will be funded at approximately $100 to $125K in direct costs for 12-18 months. There are no indirect costs.
Proposals must be submitted in a single self-contained pdf file through the online MRSEC proposal submission system at http://www.phys.psu.edu/mrsec_proposals/ Submissions that do not meet these criteria will not be reviewed. The submission deadline is Monday, January 23.
If you encounter computer problems or otherwise cannot submit by the end of the day on January 31, please contact Vin Crespi (vhc2@psu.edu) or Tom Mallouk (tem5@psu.edu).
Review: The MRSEC Executive Committee will coordinate the review of the proposals. The Executive Committee will solicit the advice of anonymous reviewers through an online proposal evaluation system. Criteria for support include:
- Promise for transformative advances in basic science beyond that possible for single-investigator efforts.
- Compelling coupling of theory, measurement, and new materials synthesis or fabrication.
- Qualifications of the investigators.
- The likelihood that the project will ultimately be competitive for support as a MRSEC IRG.
