A. Purpose of the Grant Program

The Planning Grant (PG) program provides seed funding for a new direction or continuing early support of existing research or creative activity. It is expected that the Principal Investigator will use the materials/data developed with the PG to eventually obtain external support for the continuation of his or her efforts.

B. Award Information

• The maximum award amount for the PG program is $25,000.
• Faculty salary is not allowed under this program.
• PG funds can be used for student stipends (tuition and/or matriculation fees are not allowable), production of project-related materials, photocopying, and/or a variety of other project-related expenses.
• Project-related travel is allowed; however, travel is restricted to necessary and direct support of the research conducted as part of the proposed work. Conference or workshop attendance for the purpose of presenting research or creative activities is not permitted. Any travel included in the proposal must be accompanied by a detailed description stating the dates and locations of the travel, transportation and lodging estimates, and justification for the necessity of the trip. 
• Funding for student travel is not permitted on CRC grants.
• Equipment purchases, including computers and computing equipment, are not allowed on this grant. 

C. Eligibility

• Participation is open to all full-time, active-status FSU faculty who are eligible to apply for CRC funding.  
• Visiting professors, whose only reason for being labeled "visiting" is the expectation that they shortly will attain permanent residency status, are eligible to apply for this award. Full-time, active status must be achieved by the award date in order to receive funding.
• Two-year hiatus:  For example, Principal Investigators (PI) and Co-Investigators (Co-PIs) who received PG funding in the academic year 2019 – 2020 are not eligible for consideration for the 2020 – 2021 nor the 2021 – 2022 competition.
• Generally, PIs will not be awarded more than one CRC grant during an academic year. Eligible applicants who have received an award from a CRC program during this academic year remain eligible to request funding from the Funding Agency Travel (FAT) grant and the Equipment and Infrastructure Enhancement Grant (EIEG) programs.
  • Exception: Those faculty who are eligible to apply for the First Year Assistant Professor program this year (Academic Year 2021-2022, for Summer 2022 funding as a FYAP) may also apply for a Planning Grant in the same academic year.
• Only one proposal per PI or Co-PI may be submitted to the PG program per competition round; a Co-PI may not submit an application as a PI within the same competition round.
• Students and post-docs are not eligible to be a PI or Co-PI on CRC grants.
• No more than 5 Co-PIs may be included on each proposal (LIMIT: 1 PI + 5 Co-PIs = 6 "named" personnel per proposal).
• FAMU-appointed Engineering faculty members are eligible to apply for funding from the CRC.

D. Important Dates for the 2021 - 2022 Round

• Fall 2021 Round
• Pre-review Deadline:  Monday, September 27, 2021 @ 4:59 pm*
• Proposal Deadline:  Thursday, October 7, 2021 @ 4:59 pm
• Award Notification: Mid December 2021
• Award Period: January 15, 2022 – January 14, 2023
• Spring 2022 Round
• Pre-review Deadline:  Monday, February 7, 2022 @ 4:59 pm*
• Proposal Deadline: Thursday, February 17, 2022 @ 4:59 pm
• Award Notification: Mid May 2022
• Award Period: June 15, 2022 – June 14, 2023

*NOTE: If you would like your proposal to be reviewed for technical errors, you must submit it through the CRC portal by the Pre-review Deadline date shown above. The CRC Program Staff will review your proposal for document inclusion, budget allowability and accuracy, and adherence to program guidelines. Please note the following:

1. In order for your proposal to count as having been submitted in time for this pre-review, your application must have the "Pending Technical Review" status, which means you have obtained all required Chair and Dean approvals prior to the Pre-Review Deadline. Until your proposal has all these approvals, it will not be considered ready for a technical review.
2. If your proposal is submitted after the Pre-Review Deadline, there is no guarantee that it will be reviewed for errors prior to the Proposal Deadline. Thus, choosing to submit after the Pre-Review Deadline leaves you at risk, as any technical errors, no matter how minor they may seem, will render your proposal disqualified. However, if you meet the Pre-Review Deadline and make the required corrections, as per instructions, by the Proposal Deadline, your proposal will not be rejected on technical grounds.
3. Your proposal's accuracy is ultimately your responsibility, and not that of the CRC. The CRC will not make corrections, and revisions cannot be accepted after the deadline.

​E. Proposal Preparation Instructions

• The proposal must be written in clear, concise language so that reviewers from any discipline will be able to understand it; field-specific jargon and acronyms are discouraged unless they are plainly defined within the proposal text.
• Proposals with incomplete required fields will not be able to submit until all required fields are completed; any fields left incomplete will result in the proposal being disqualified from competition.
• Applications that do not adhere to the RFP instructions will be ineligible for funding.
• Go to Section H. Proposal Submission Process for instructions on how to apply.
• The following sections must be completed in your proposal application:

-- GENERAL INFORMATION --

Review Group:  Select the review group that you would like to read and evaluate your proposal. You will have the option to choose one of the following:

• STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine
• Social Science: Social Science, Business, Education, Law, Public Affairs, Policy Science
• Arts & Humanities: Fine Arts, Creative and Performing Arts, Humanities.

-- PROPOSAL TRANSMITTAL --

For CRC submissions, this document is a part of the electronic submissions application.  All applicants will complete these sections directly within the CRC program application. 

Once the proposal is submitted, the Directors, Chairs, and Deans of the PI and Co-PI(s) will be contacted automatically via email for approval of the submission. Please provide sufficient time for electronic approvals prior to the proposal deadline. It is advisable to check on the availability of those who are required to approve your application if you are intending to submit close to the deadline. Directors, Chairs, and Deans have 24 hours after the proposal deadline to electronically approve applications.  Submissions that lack the necessary approvals within the provided time will be disqualified and will not be reviewed.

If you need assistance with completing any of these forms and want a staff member from your department to assist you, you can grant access to a staff member by adding a “proposal contact” to your application.

-- ABSTRACT --

This section is completed within the electronic CRC program application. Your abstract cannot exceed 250 words.

-- CURRICULUM VITAE (Word Doc) --

The CV form in the link above is the preferred form for this requirement. If you choose to not use this specific form, your CV must contain the same information: Education from baccalaureate-level forward including Institution, Degree, Field of Study, and Completion Date; Previous Positions; Publications related to the proposal; and Research Support including completed and ongoing grants related to the proposal. You may also include other data pertinent to the research or activity proposed. Regardless of which form you use, the CV must be no longer than 2 pages at no less than 11 point font. All CVs must be submitted in PDF format.

The PI must list the names and department affiliations of each Co-PI in the proposal text and provide a vitae which meets the same requirements stated above for each Co-PI. To view CV examples, please click on the subject area that is closest to your field of research: Arts, Engineering, Humanities, and STEM.

No more than 5 Co-PIs may be included on each proposal (LIMIT: 1 PI + 5 Co-PIs = 6 "named" personnel per proposal).

-- PAST, CURRENT, & PENDING GRANTS --

This section is completed within the electronic CRC program application. List all internal and external grants awarded to the PI and any Co-PIs in the past 5 years (including FYAP, EIEG, and Honorary awards), as well as pending external grant proposals.  Concurrent submission to other agencies will not cause prejudice in the review of your proposal. If the PI and/or Co-PI received previous CRC funding, they must explain in the comments section of the award the outcomes of that funding, including research and creative results, and any external awards won as a result. Use of previous CRC funding is one factor in the evaluation of this proposal.  Failure to include applicable CRC awards may result in proposal disqualification.

-- BUDGET --

This section is completed within the electronic CRC program application. The maximum award amount is $25,000. Use the tips below as a guide for your specific budget items:

• Faculty salary is not allowed in this program.
• Award funds may be used to support a stipend for a student hired on the proposed project, but may not be used to pay for student tuition or matriculation fees. If awarded funds are used for a student stipend, the required fringe benefits and tax considerations must be included in the total requested amount, which cannot exceed $25,000.
  
  • Fringe benefits rates
• Equipment purchases, including computers and computing equipment, are not allowed on this grant.
• Project-related travel is allowed; however, travel is restricted to necessary and direct support of the research conducted as part of the proposed work. Conference or workshop attendance for the purpose of presenting research or creative activities is not permitted. Any travel included in the proposal must be accompanied by a detailed description stating the dates and locations of the travel, transportation and lodging estimates, and justification for the necessity of the trip. If awarded, any travel plan alterations must receive prior approval by the CRC before the travel occurs.
• Funding for student travel is not permitted on CRC grants.
  
• Award funds may be used for such expenses as photocopying, archive access fees, and like costs necessary to perform the proposed project, as well as the production of a recording, manuscript, or body of work in order to attract external arts and humanities underwriting; subventions are not an eligible expense.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  CRC grants are awarded in part based on the appropriateness and feasibility of the proposed budgets. Approved budgets must be followed as proposed/awarded, unless a budget amendment request is approved in advance by the chair of the CRC. A variance of up to 10% in any category will be tolerated in the absence of a budget amendment, but any unapproved expenditures beyond this limit will result in the grant being frozen until the overage is refunded to the grant. The same applies to any unapproved expenditures that fall outside a grant's budgetary categories. In addition, no further CRC grant proposals will be accepted from applicants (as PI or Co-PI) on any grant that is out of budgetary compliance until the situation is rectified.

 -- PROPOSAL TEXT (Word Doc) --

The proposal text cannot exceed 8 pages (not including References and Appendices). Only a PDF version of your proposal will be accepted. Below are the required sub-sections for the Proposal Text.

1. Project/Issue and Goals
   Describe the project or issue your proposal will address. Briefly describe the goals/objective of the project.
2. Research Methods/Creative Activities
   Write a description of your proposed project, including scientific or creative objectives, data or materials to be used, methods of analysis, or performance of the project. Project should be clearly understandable and jargon should be avoided.
3. Significance of Intended Outcomes
   Describe the basis for the evaluation of results and/or conclusions and the importance or significance of the contribution of your project to the field.
4. Anticipated External Funding     
   Describe how the proposed research or creative activity will enhance the prospects for external funding. List anticipated outside funding sources to support follow-up activity, including specific grant programs, the goals of those programs, and the amount of funding available. List the approximate date(s) by which you intend to request external funding from one or more of the funding sources you identified.
5. Schedule of Project Activities
   Provide a statement indicating the amount of progress anticipated during the grant period and the intended schedule for completion of the plan, including start and completion dates of major project activities, publications, performances, etc. If appropriate, briefly describe the related research and/or creative activities that will take place before and after the grant period.
6. Budget
   Provide a detailed and clear budget explanation. The information should mirror the items you will be placing in the budget section, but should be significantly more detailed. The description should be narrative in nature and should include quantifiable financial information. If travel is included in the budget, specific projected travel dates and locations must be given; travel is restricted to necessary and direct support of the research proposal, rather than presentation of that research at conferences and workshops. Refer to the information listed above regarding unallowable budget items.
7. Departmental/College Support
   Describe any additional support the PI will receive from the department and/or college. This special or non-routine support may include, but is not limited to, release time from teaching load, graduate student costs, rehearsal or performance space, lab space, and/or technical assistance.
   
8. Professional Obligations
   List any professional obligations the PI has for the award period. If any of these obligations include active grants, please explain the relationship of the proposed funding to any other funding you will have for this period.
9. References
   Include a references list, if applicable. References do not count as Proposal Text pages.
10. Appendices
    Include appendices as needed, including approval forms and other supplementary materials pertinent to your request. Please be considerate of reviewers’ time and file space; avoid excessive appendices. If your project has already received approvals for Human Subjects or Animal Subjects use, you may include your approval letters in this section as well.

F. Proposal Examples

• Examples of successful proposals are available on ORD's Successful Proposal Database. Your FSU username and password will be required.
• Please note that some examples shown may include items that are no longer allowable under CRC Policies. Please contact the CRC Program Manager for clarification or questions related to these proposals.

​G. Research Compliance

• Research activities requiring compliance review and approvals (such as Human or Animal Subjects, DNA, RNA, Hazardous Materials, or Marine Lab facilities) require the completion and submission of forms to the appropriate FSU department or group. You must seek and receive approval before such research is attempted and before any funds can be released, if awarded. See Human Subjects, Animal Care and Use Committee, Environmental Health & Safety, or Research Compliance for other compliance requirements that may apply to your research or performance plan.
• You may pre-apply for Human Subjects or Animal use approval prior to funding notifications. While not required in advance, having prior approval will prevent delays in receiving grant funds, if awarded.
• If you have already received approval for proposal-related certifications, you may include the approval paperwork in the appendices of your proposal text.

H. Proposal Submission Process

• Go to CRC Submissions Portal.
• Login using your FSU username and password.
• Start a new proposal by selecting one of the CRC programs listed under the apply tab. Complete all the sections and upload each of the required elements. 
• You will have the ability to submit/save your proposal elements and update/edit them until the posted deadline for the program.
• Proposals with incomplete required fields will not be able to submit for Chair/Dean approval until all required fields are completed. Minor changes can still be made to the proposal after it has been submitted for Chair/Dean approval.
• Once the application is submitted, the Directors/Chairs and Deans of the PI and Co-PI(s) will be contacted automatically via email for approval of the submission. Please provide sufficient time for electronic approvals prior to the proposal deadline. It is advisable to check on the availability of those who are required to approve your application if you are intending to submit close to the deadline. Directors, Chairs, and Deans have 24 hours after the proposal deadline to electronically approve applications. Submissions that lack the necessary approvals within the provided time will be disqualified and will not be reviewed.

I. Proposal Review Process

• The MDS Review Subcommittee consists of selected faculty currently serving on the CRC.
• Reviewers will use these review guidelines for scoring the proposal. As part of this evaluation, reviewers will take note of the external proposals submitted by the PI as a result of previously-awarded CRC funds.
• Each reviewer will provide “blind” electronic feedback, not just a numeric score, which will be shared with the PI and his/her Co-PI(s). Reviewer identification will not be released to the PI.
• The CRC makes final funding decisions based on the funding allocated to the program, the number of proposals received, and merit scores of each proposal.
• If awarded, the PI and Department Chair/Director must sign the CRC Conditions of Award form and return it to the CRC Program Manager prior to award budget activation. Any research compliance items must also be approved prior to award activation.
• All necessary forms must be received by the Program Manager no later than 60 days following notice of award; failure to submit these documents in a timely manner may result in the withdrawal of the award.

J. Award Terms & Conditions

• CRC grant funds can only be used to support research and creative activity.
• Equipment purchases, including computers and computing equipment, are not allowed on this grant.
• This CRC grant may support a stipend for a student hired on a grant; matriculation and tuition fees cannot be paid for with MDS grant funds.
• Any faculty salary support proposed on a MDS grant must be justified and approved by the CRC; 12-month faculty are not eligible to receive salary funds on CRC grants.
• CRC grants do not support student travel.
• Project-related travel is allowed; however, travel is restricted to necessary and direct support of the research conducted as part of the proposed work. Conference or workshop attendance for the purpose of presenting research or creative activities is not permitted. Any travel included in the proposal must be accompanied by a detailed description stating the dates and locations of the travel, transportation and lodging estimates, and justification for the necessity of the trip. If awarded, any travel plan alterations must receive prior approval by the CRC before the travel occurs.
• Funding for student travel is not permitted on CRC grants.
• The CRC approved the project budget as submitted with the proposal. Budget deviations greater than 10% per budget line item (cumulatively) require the prior written approval of the CRC. Budget revisions should be requested via a Budget Amendment Form. The Budget Amendment form, which can be downloaded from the Forms page, must be electronically signed by the PI and submitted via the Time Extension and Budget Amendment Request page. Here's an example of a completed Budget Amendment form. If the budget revision is approved by the CRC (limit 2 per award), the OMNI Project Budget will be modified to reflect the newly-approved categorical amounts. Budget amendment requests must be approved before any changes can occur. You may not submit an amendment request after the fact, and all budget amendment requests must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the award end date; requests submitted within 30 days of the award end date will not be considered.
• The CRC approved the scope of work as submitted with the proposal. The written approval of the CRC is required prior to implementing any change to the scope of work. Actions likely to be considered a change of scope include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Change in the goals or specific aims approved at the time of the award;
  • Any change from the approved use of animals or human subjects;
  • Shifting the emphasis of the research from one area or another; or
  • Transferring the performance of substantive programmatic work to a third party by contract or any other means.
• Budget or scope of work violations may result in loss of CRC funding eligibility for multiple years.
• The CRC reserves the right to withdraw remaining funds from a project if unauthorized spending occurs, and may also require misspent funds to be repaid by the PI/Department.
• Time extensions (limit 1 per award) require the prior approval of the CRC. Any request and justification for a Time extension should be submitted to the Time Extension and Budget Amendment Request page at least 30 days prior to the award expiration date; requests submitted within 30 days of the award end date will not be considered.
• Only one time extension is permitted per project; if the project budget is in good standing, a 90-day extension will be automatically granted upon request. Time extension requests for greater than 90 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Faculty members who receive CRC funds during a sabbatical will be asked to repay those funds if they leave the university during the year following the award.

K. Grant Close-Out

• Grant account closeout will automatically occur within 60 days following the award period end date.
• Time extensions require the prior approval of the CRC (limit 1 extension per award). Any request and justification for a time extension must be submitted through the Time Extension and Budget Amendment Request page at least 30 days prior to the award expiration date; requests submitted within 30 days of the award end date will not be considered.
• Only one time extension is permitted per project; if the project budget is in good standing, a 90-day extension will be automatically granted upon request. Time extension requests for greater than 90 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

L. Payback

• PIs who later find that they have funding from another source for similar or the same support are requested to decline acceptance of this PG award so that funds can be redirected to provide support for other applicants who would otherwise go unfunded.
• In the event that a PI leaves the university, involuntarily or voluntarily, prior to the end of the award period, the awardee’s Dean or Department Chair has the responsibility of notifying the CRC Program Manager and returning the award amount to the CRC.
• Faculty members who receive CRC funds during a sabbatical will be asked to repay those funds if they leave the university during the year following the award.