University of Michigan - Flint

1. To promote the research/creative activity of junior, tenure track faculty.  Requests from tenured faculty receive second priority.  Non-tenure track faculty requests are considered as third priority provided the applicant has a UM-Flint contractual agreement covering the proposed project period. 
2. To encourage applications from faculty that have not received funding in the past;
3. To encourage cooperation across departments and/or colleges;
4. To provide research experience for students.
   
   

1. Principal Investigator (PI):  Tenure track faculty, tenured faculty, and non-tenure track faculty (with UM-Flint contractual agreements covering the proposed project period).  Starting with applications received fall 2008, there will be a maximum limit of $60,000 from the Research and Creative Activity Fund for any one individual as PI.
2. Co-Investigator:  Tenured and tenure-track faculty, non-tenure track faculty 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. Spring/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 spring/summer semester provided they are contractually available. 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.
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 hardware /software for routine use (in rare cases, funds may be provided for highly specialized computer hardware/software);
3. Equipment necessary to contain health hazards in a laboratory;
4. 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.

Proposed projects are expected to be completed within a one-year time frame.  If special circumstances exist, a no-cost extension of time request (for up to one year) must be completed and submitted prior to the end of the award for committee review and approval. At the end of the project time frame/extension, unused funds will be reclaimed by the Office of Research. 

The fall semester call for proposals deadline is October 31 with award announcements by November 30.  The winter semester call for proposals deadline is March 13 with award announcements by March 31.  Exceptions to these dates may be necessary and current announcements should be referred to for exact dates.

To view the RCAC Terms and Conditions, click here.

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.