Research and Innovation at The University of Toledo

The evaluation process takes into consideration the faculty member’s rank. For assistant professors, the most important consideration is the likelihood that a successful project would lead to external support. Although preference will be given to untenured, tenure-track professors, proposals from tenured faculty will be considered. 

Faculty may not receive more than two of any major seed grant awards as Principal Investigator over any seven-year period, and faculty may not receive any major seed grant awards as Principal Investigator in two consecutive years.

Funds may support personnel, graduate student stipends, travel necessary to conduct research, equipment, and supplies. Assistant professors can apply for summer salary support (maximum support for six weeks’ summer salary and fringe benefits). However, associate and full professors cannot apply for summer salary. Awardees may not teach during the summer if they receive summer salary under this program.

Funding will be available in mid April with project end date 12 months after start date of mid April.

Proposals must be submitted through InfoReady.

Files to upload include: 

• 1 Page | Abstract, written for a general audience that summarizes the project and its expected outcomes. The abstract must not exceed 250 words, single spaced.
• 6 Pages | Project Description (double spaced) that includes the following:
  A.  A statement of the significance of the problem and its impact on the field of study
  B.  A statement describing the innovative aspects of the proposed studies
  C.  A statement describing impact of this award on the PI and program
  D.  A section outlining the specific goals of the project and how they will be accomplished
  E.  A description of the studies to be completed including preliminary results, if any
  F.  Expected outcomes
  G. Plans for seeking additional funding
• 2 Pages | References (single-spaced)
• 2 Pages | Budget Justification  
• 5 Pages per Person | Biosketch required for PI, optional for co-investigators
• No page limit | Final Reports for any internal awards during the past five years.
• No appendix material will be accepted.

• Meaningful advancement of the proposed medically related research or development project, with completion of the major research objectives and activities supported by the award.
• Research findings, preliminary results, methodologies, capabilities, or other tangible scholarly outputs that strengthen the investigator's medically related research program and provide a foundation for continued work.
• Advancement of the investigator's research trajectory, demonstrated through increased capacity to pursue a productive and sustainable program of research and scholarship.
• A defined pathway to external support, including identification and pursuit of an appropriate external sponsor, program, or funding mechanism that builds upon the work supported by the deArce-Koch investment.
• Progress toward an external funding submission, consistent with the external funding plans identified in the original proposal. For early-career investigators in particular, the project should strengthen the investigator's readiness and competitiveness for subsequent external support.
• Where cross-disciplinary collaboration is proposed, evidence of meaningful integration across disciplines, resulting in new research capabilities, approaches, expertise, or opportunities that strengthen the medically related research effort.
• A documented next-stage research plan describing how the investigator will build upon the results of the award, including subsequent research activities, external funding pursuits, collaborations, or other actions necessary to advance the research program.

All applicants must clearly identify where they intend to submit proposals resulting from the proposed studies. For example, if proposals are intended for NIH, the type of proposal (R01/03/15/21) an institute should be identified, if not a specific funding opportunity.

The Research Council will review proposals and may seek additional reviewers from on and off campus. The evaluation process will take into consideration the faculty member’s rank, discipline, level of student involvement, nature of the proposed project, and funding. For assistant professors in all disciplines, the most important consideration is the likelihood that a successful project will lead to a productive and meaningful research and scholarship program. Research Council members also will consider the extent to which the proposed project will lead to self-sustaining external support.

The Research Council broadly represents all disciplines on campus. Therefore, it is important that the proposal clearly communicates the goals of the project to the readership.