How will current research funds be viewed in the application process?
Research funds must be disclosed in the application process, how they are currently allocated will be considered when reviewing the request.
Are these funding mechanisms available to research (non-tenure-track) faculty?
Yes, all Provost-reporting, university-employed faculty are eligible to apply.
Are these mechanisms primarily for individuals or are collaborative projects being encouraged?
Individuals and collaborative projects are both welcome to apply.
What are the parameters regarding teamwork with VUMC faculty?
All funding must be expensed by Vanderbilt, but VUMC faculty are approved collaborators.
What support is available for graduate or professional students?
Wages, stipends and fees can be covered. Funds cannot be used to cover tuition or financial aid.
What dollar amount should I consider when requesting to hire a student assistant?
Student compensation is a school-based standard and also varies by student status (undergraduate, professional or graduate). We recommend consulting your department administrator or Dean's office.
What guidelines should be followed when hiring student assistants?
Department administrators should be engaged during the student hiring process to ensure all university and department policies are followed. Funds may not be used for the following:
graduate student recruiting,
graduate students' professional development cost or programs
student tuition.
What is the process after grants are received? Is any documentation or paperwork required?
After award decisions are made, a unique, centrally housed Oracle project will be created. We will share the project information and all relevant purchasing details once available. Faculty are required to submit an annual report to the provost office. For projects with multi-year funding, additional year funding will be released following a review of your report.
What should the budget look like?
The budget component of the gap grant application should use the required Excel template (found on the InfoReady application portal). The template includes line items of all estimated expenses. Please be as specific as possible in your estimates.
Can staff be paid for under these programs?
Faculty may use funds for term-limited consultants or skilled expertise. Examples include a web programmer or survey developer.
Seeding Success Grants
Will course buyouts be available to non-tenure track faculty?
Yes, they will be available to non-tenure track faculty. However, course buyouts will require dean approval for all applicants.
Will Seeding Success Grants allow for purchase of large equipment?
Capital equipment that falls within the funding allowance for the Seeding Success program is allowable. For larger infrastructure or capital equipment purchases, given the complexity of managing, housing and operating, faculty should work with their department chairs and dean, who will then work directly with the Provost on these high-dollar purchases.
Do proposals need to have IRB approval before being submitted?
They do not. Funds are awarded for specific time periods, so consideration should be given to what is feasible to complete when requesting.
Who is the target audience for the proposals?
Seeding Success proposals are reviewed by a faculty committee chaired by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the Vice Provost for Research followed by Provost approval.
Rapid Advancement Micro-Grant Program Awards (RAMP)
By what date do funds need to be used for RAMP?
All funds must be used within the fiscal year they are awarded.
What kind of travel is within the scope of the RAMP program?
Approved travel includes:
meeting with collaborators or bringing collaborators to campus,
visiting an archive,
or conducting field-specific work.
Who is the target audience for the proposals?
For Ramp, the review process includes an administrative review followed by Provost approval.