University of Michigan - Flint

1. To ensure that the research/creative activity requests of junior faculty are receiving top priority in the distribution of internal research funds; senior faculty requests receive second priority and, whenever possible, to support the requests of LEO lecturers (III and IV).
2. To ensure that internal research funds are being distributed in such a way that junior and senior faculty members are not competing against one another for the same funds;
3. To encourage applications from faculty that have not received funding in the past;
4. To encourage cooperation across departments and/or colleges;
5. To provide research experience for students.

1. Principal Investigator (PI):  Tenured and tenure-track faculty and LEO Lecturers (III and IV) are eligible to serve as principal investigators.
2. Co-Investigator:  Tenured and tenure-track faculty, LEO lecturers and staff members may serve as Co-Investigators.  Multiple Co-Investigators may be involved in a project.

• Skill development and knowledge acquisition which will contribute to future research and creative projects;
• Projects designed to answer research questions;
• Projects designed to result in the development of a creative product.

A scoring rubric will be used to evaluate each proposal.  The scoring rubric provides consistency in the review of all proposals and ensures that the objectives identified above are adhered to during the review process.  All projects will be evaluated on the quality of the narrative (9 criterion) budget factors (7 criterion) and proposal clarity. In addition “extra points” are assigned for projects that:

1. Are led by tenure-track (but not yet tenured) faculty;
2. Involve student research assistants
3. Are conducted by PIs and Co-PIs that have not received funding from the Office of Research within the past 2 years
4. Involve cooperation across Departments and/or Schools
5. Projects that will benefit our students and/or the community in/around the UM-Flint in terms of quality of life and/or economic development.

Faculty are encouraged to develop the research or creative activity project that will best meet their specific needs.  A research or creative project can include any or all of the following components:

1. Summer Honorarium:  With permission from Department Chair and Dean, faculty can request compensation up to 1/9 of salary for research/creative work completed during the summer semester. Up to a maximum of $5,500.
2. Research Assistance:  Both student and non-student research assistants are eligible.  Whenever possible, however, the RCAC encourages the inclusion of UM-Flint students to serve as assistants on research projects supported with RCA funds and the latter will be given priority as per the rubric point system described above.  Student assistants must be enrolled at the UM-Flint during the project period.
3. Re-assigned time:  With permission from the Department Chair and Dean, faculty can request up to one-course release during fall, winter or spring semesters.  The RCA grant will cover up to the LEO maximum for the unit replacement costs, thereby freeing up department funds. Faculty are encouraged to develop the research or creative activity project that will best meet their specific needs.  A research or creative project can include any or all of the following components:
4. Clerical Assistance:  If necessary, clerical assistance such as typing, editing, grant management assistance, scheduling and event management tasks can be included in the request.  This cost should be calculated at a rate consistent with University current practice.  Please contact Human Resources or the Office of Research for assistance.
5. Fringe Benefits and FICA
6. Travel and subsistence for costs associated with conducting off-campus research/creative activity. Please note that travel costs associated with the dissemination of the project are NOT an eligible budget item.
7. Materials, supplies and equipment:  Itemization and description of expenses is required.
   

The following items are not eligible for inclusion in RCA grants.

1. Graduate research and dissertation writing for faculty and students;
2. Computer equipment and equipment necessary to contain health hazards in a laboratory;
3. Funds for organizing conferences or colloquia. 

Maximum project budget:  $20,000.  The RCAC reserves the right to offer an award LESS than the amount requested. For example, the RCAC may determine that the requested amount is excessive for the proposed project, the available funds may require that projects be reduced, etc.

A completed budget form must accompany each grant proposal.

The fall semester call for proposals deadline is October 31 with award announcements by November 30.  The winter semester call for proposals deadline is February 28 with award announcements by March 31.  Exceptions to these dates may be necessary and current announcements should be referred to for exact dates.

Within 60 days after the end of the period of the award, the Principal Investigator must provide a short report to the Office of Research, which will be made available to the RCAC.  The final report should include:

1. The  work completed on the project relative to objectives stated in the original proposal;
2. How individuals (such as students, colleagues, etc.) and the community have benefited from the work;
3. Any scholarly publications and/or presentations that resulted from the work;
4. The relationship between the original timetable and the actual completion of tasks,
5. A detailed budget summary including a description of any deviation from the original plans, and
6. A copy of scholarly products (publications, documents, CDs, etc.) resulting from the project.

To download the forms, click on the links (will open in a new window):

For a complete list of the most recent recipients of RCA Awards, click here.