RAMP
Rapid-Advance MicroGrant Program (RAMP)
Program Information
RAMP awards are designed for smaller-scale funding opportunities that require a rapid response, allowing faculty to innovate in the moment and to seize strategic and time-sensitive opportunities as they arise.
- This program provides support ranging from $500 to $5,000 as the budget allows, with smaller requests encouraged.
Fund Uses
RAMP funds may be used for:
- Travel to either meet with collaborators or bring them to Vanderbilt
- To acquire materials for research or projects
- To support the development of creative works
Eligibility and Terms
- All full-time, VU-employed (Provost-reporting) faculty are eligible.
- Faculty may submit up to one proposal per fiscal year as lead faculty.
- Applicants are encouraged to consider how their proposal advances inclusive excellence.
- Funds may not be used to support faculty salary.
- Faculty are not eligible to submit another proposal until all reporting requirements have been met.
- Each participating faculty member must disclose all institutional research support funds, including endowed-chair funds, annual allocations, and other such sources.
- All funds must be used within the awarded period (i.e. no carry forward).
Review Process
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis each year, beginning July 1 through early May, with reviews occurring monthly. Proposals will undergo an administrative review; applications are reviewed for alignment with the program and allowable funding uses.
Funding decisions are determined with both Provost and Dean review/approval.
Application and Proposal Information
RAMP applications for FY 2023 will be accepted starting July 1, 2022.
Applicant Information
- Lead Faculty First and Last Name
- Lead Faculty VUnetID
- Lead Faculty Department
- Lead Faculty Appointment Title
- Collaborators (up to 4 faculty)
Proposal Information
- Proposal Title
- Project Summary (100 words)
- Project Proposal including detailed description of work to be completed. Discuss the overarching theme, research question, area of scholarship or creative expression to be addressed. Detail the timeliness and/or time-sensitivity of the funding. Review project timeline and how funds will be used. (750 words)
- Significance and impact of the work/scholarship on the field, the community, the university and/or the faculty involved. (250 words)
- Outline the anticipated outcome and note any future activities or projects this funding would facilitate. (250 words)
- Disclose current internal funding for all VU faculty involved. Each participating faculty member must disclose all institutional support funds, including endowed-chair funds, annual allocations, and other such sources. If none, please put N/A.
- Total funding requested
Uploads
- Detailed budget
- Optional supporting image attachment. Such attachments are only for images or graphics that cannot be included in the program description text box.
- NOTE: Additional written content or files will not be reviewed
FAQs
Contact
For more information about RAMP, please contact ovprfunding@vanderbilt.edu.