Sponsored Research Services RIT Researcher News

Abstracts come in a variety of flavors.  Journal articles, book proposals, dissertatiions and other works generally require some form of abstract.  Research proposals may require two different types - a technical abstract for the sponsor, and a plain language abstract for public consumption.  RIT's Proposal Routing Form requires a brief, non-technical abstract, which serves a number of purposes, which are generally beneficial to the investigator or team.

If you are a researcher, the abstract on the Proposal Routing Form may be the last thing on your mind as you race toward the proposal deadline.  Let's pause and consider the merits of a good, plain language abstract on your PRF:

1. A plain language abstract aids the review process.  Your proposal will pass through multiple hands for review.  Some of the reviewers may be outside your discipline, particularly if you are working with co-investigators in different departments and colleges.  These reviewers will want to understand the importance and purpose of the larger proposal, and a plain langauge abstract will provide a concise summary of the research.

2. Many sponsors require a plain language abstract before making awards.  These are used for press releases and sponsor websites, and are generally intended to inform the public or policy makers about the sponsor's investments.

3. The proposal abstracts on the PRF are entered into the RAPID database, which is searchable by the RIT community.  Researchers have found valuable partners by free word searches of RAPID.

4. RIT's University News will use your abstracts in RAPID for publicity.  A good abstract can increase the exposure of your research.

5. RIT's Oversight Policy for Externally Sponsored Projects emphasizes integrity and openness in research at RIT.  Proposals and abstracts are reviewed by an independent committee under this policy, and a plain language abstract enables them to fulfull their charge and report to the RIT community.

What makes a good plain language abstract?  There is no one formula, but a few common sense principles can help:

1. A good abstract will describe the needs or problem your poject will address, the tasks you plan to accomplish, and the outcomes you expect to achieve.

2. Avoid technical jargon and acronyms.  Remember your audience is broader than your sponsor or academic colleagues.

3. Do not include confidential material.  This is especially important if your sponsor is a private company.  The RIT community does not need to know the technical details of any corporate engagement, and the abstract should include only a general overview of the research.

Ultimately, a good plain language abstract gives you a competitive edge, and has intangible benefits that may be realized over time.

Several New York State agencies are making economic development resources available through a Consolidated Funding Application, or CFA.  Participating agencies include NYSERDA, Empire State Development, the Department of Labor and others.  A catalog of available grant programs and other resources is available at www.nyworks.ny.gov. 

An open forum for the RIT community is scheduled for Monday, June 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in 78-2240. 

All proposals for funding through the CFA will be reviewed internally before they are sent to New York State.  Applications are due to David Bond at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 6.  Applications will be reviewed by an internal team.  The deadline for transmittal to New York State is 4:00 p.m. on July 16 for most funding programs.

Synopsis. The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program makes grants to institutions of higher education to support scholarships for academically talented students demonstrating financial need, enabling them to enter the STEM workforce or STEM graduate school following completion of an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate-level degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics disciplines. Grantee institutions are responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, reporting demographic information about student scholars, and managing the S-STEM project at the institution.

The program does not make scholarship awards directly to students; students should contact their institution’s Office of Financial Aid for this and other scholarship opportunities.

Deadline. Proposals are due to NSF by 5 p.m. on August 14, 2012.

Limits on Proposals.  RIT may submit one proposal from each  college that awards degrees in an eligible field. The Principal Investigator must be a faculty member currently teaching in one of the S-STEM disciplines who can provide the leadership required to ensure the success of the project. Projects involving more than one department within an institution are eligible, but a single Principal Investigator must accept overall management responsibility.

In the event a college has more than one interested PI, SRS will help the dean with a review process.  Proposals involving mutliple departments within a college are acceptable.

Award History.  RIT has active S-STEM awards in KGCOE and CAST.  In past ten years, RIT has had multiple awards in KGCOE, CAST, and GCCIS.

Synopsis. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a second year of a program on collaborative research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing, including the long-term societal implications of the large-scale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations.  Proposals submitted to this program must address at least one of the following interconnected themes:

• Novel processes and techniques for continuous and scalable nanomanufacturing;
• Directed (e.g. physical/chemical/biological) self-assembly processes leading to heterogeneous nanostructures with the potential for high-rate production;
• Fundamental scientific research in well-defined areas that are compellingly justified as critical roadblocks to scale-up;
• Principles and design methods to produce machines and processes to manufacture nanoscale structures, devices and systems; and/or
• Long-term societal and educational implications of the large-scale production and use of nanomaterials, devices and systems, including the life-cycle analysis of such nanomaterials, devices and systems.

The full announcement is available at NSF 12-544.

Limit. RIT is limited to one proposal as a lead organization in response to this program.

Application Instructions.  Interested parties should submit a concept paper of no more than two pages to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on or before March 30, 2012.  The deadline for full proposals to NSF is June 4, 2012.

Are you eligible for the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program?

Would you like to get a head start on developing a competitive proposal for the July deadline?

Would you like to work with a team of faculty to help each other develop and fine tune your ideas into winning proposals?

The CAREER Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the NSF’s  most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. For more details about the CAREER program, and to check if you are eligible, see the CAREER Program Solicitation.

If you are eligible and thinking of applying, you are invited to an Information Session on Friday, February 3 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in 78-2120.  A series of meetings will follow, with specific assignments to prepare you for a CAREER proposal.  To register, please fill out this clipboard survey.

RIT is a member of the Universities Space Research Association, an independent, not-for-profit corporation with the mission of advancing space-related sciences.  USRA facilitates collaboration with universities and government agencies in space-related research and education.  USRA operates a Research Opportunities Program to connect with individuals at member institutions on research opportunities.  These include needs within the USRA, emerging collaborative opportunities, and notices for student employment opportunities.  

Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up for USRA Research Opportunity Notices at http://www.researchopps.usra.edu/.

The Wallace Library has acquired three new titles by Lynn E. Miner, Ph.D., that are of particular interest to grant writers.  Dr. Miner has extensive experience as an academic and administrator in higher education and now leads a nation wide consulting group that specializes in training grant writers.  He was our guest facilitator at the annual Grant Writers' Boot Camp in November, 2011, and provided excellent advice for early stage grant seekers.

The library now holds the following titles by Dr. Miner as electronic resources:

Collaborative Grantseeking   http://albert.rit.edu/record=b2950908~S3

Proposal Planning and Writing  http://albert.rit.edu/record=b2950749~S3

Models of Proposal Planning and Writing  http://albert.rit.edu/record=b2950745~S3

SRS is making some key organizational changes in response to the growing volume and complexity of sponsored research. First, SRS is pleased to welcome two new Senior Research Administrators in December, 2011:

Charlie Bush is joining Sponsored Research Services as the Senior Research Administrator for the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, and the Center for Detectors.  Charlie comes to SRS from Development and Alumni Relations, where he has served as a prospect researcher for the past two years.  Charlie has an MS in Library Science from Syracuse and an undergraduate degree in Media Studies with a minor in Writing from the University of Rochester. 

Brian Duddy will be joining Sponsored Research Services as the new Senior Research Administrator for Proposal Development for the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, the College of Applied Sciences and technology, and the department of industrial and systems engineering in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. Brian is also an RIT comes to SRS from CIMS, where he served as a Senior Program Manager.  Brian has extensive experience in program management and proposal development at RIT and with the Department of Defense.  He served in the US Air Force and has two masters’ degrees: one in European and American History and the other in SystemsManagement.  His bachelor’s degree is in Aeronautical Engineering. 

Additionally, SRS implemented a new organization for post award services at the start of this academic year. The table shows contact people by college and division:

The RIT Principal Investigators Institute schedule for the 2011 - 2012 academic year is set.  All sessions are open to the RIT community.

The PI Institute is offered in cooperation with the RIT Center for Professional Development .

To register for upcoming sessions, visit the RIT E-Learning Zone and look for the PI Institute under 'Enhancing Faculty and Staff Performance,' or call 585-475-6200.

A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide ("Guide" from this point forward), NSF 11-1, was issued on October 1, 2010 and is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 18, 2011.

The Guide includes some significant changes: