Resources

Research Support

Faculty Research Support Cover Sheet

Deadlines: October 4th, 2019 & February 7th, 2020
Sample Applications

Taft Research Support grants are offered to faculty for individual research projects, with a priority given to those that have or will seek external funding. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to the following:

  • Cost-Share, matching support for external grants that do not cover the full cost of the proposed research. Grants given for cost-share may neither exceed the amount of the external grants nor increase an applicant’s income beyond their regular salary, and do not cover summer salary, in whole or in part.
  • Direct research costs, such as technical or consulting services, video-taping, laboratory analysis, software, etc.;
  • Research collaboration costs, i.e. travel and per diem (not honoraria) for bringing collaborators from outside UC. Grants for collaboration may only fund up to six days, though this may be split across several visits. Eligible projects may include not only research but also the generation of external funding proposals and hosting outside experts. Applications and awards for research collaboration may be combined with other awards, e.g. competitive lecture funds;

The Research Support Committee will consider the DARs balance in reaching funding decisions. Research support applications must include an account of the Taft Departmental Allocated Research Support (DARS) funds provided to the department. The application should speak to whether or not these funds have otherwise been encumbered on behalf of faculty, by the Taft Administrative and Financial Coordinator, or if the request exceeds the DARS fund balance.

applications

Applications must be completed by 5 PM on regularly scheduled deadlines; this includes applicant electronic submission and departmental or Decanal review. Applications should, minimally, contain the following:

  • A narrative of 500-1000 words, explaining how the grant will be used to conduct research, and the importance of this grant in bring the research project to completion.
  • A clear case for the impact of the requested funding on their research and field of scholarship. Details should be given concerning:
    • The project goals and methodology;
    • Other faculty or students involved in the project;
    • The proposed schedule for the project;
    • Itemized budget, including a rationale of the proposed expenses.
  • A current 2-page C.V. (the C.V. should indicate scholarship interests, publications and awards that pertain to the proposed project).
  • Where applicable, the proposal should also include the following:
    • “Request for Proposals” from the external funding source;
    • The completed grant proposal submitted to the external funding source; award letters from external sources, which clearly indicate what support is being offered, and any contingencies that have been placed on the support;
    • A schedule, indicating when proposal(s) will be submitted, when responses are expected, and when the funded activities will take place;
    • Distinct from what is contained in the outside grant proposal, please provide a separate budget sheet that clearly indicates how the budget will be apportioned between Taft funds and other funding sources.
    • Vitae of personnel with significant involvement in the project.
    • External funding history: external grant applications submitted in the past 5 years. Indicate the purpose of the grant, the funding source and the amount requested. Indicate your status on the grant, and list any other participants in the grant and their status, the amount awarded, the duration of the grant, and the outcomes (i.e., papers or books published, conferences attended, etc.).

    **NOTE : Support letters are not required for this program, only supervisor approval through the electronic system (as prompted by the system).

    criteria

    • Conception, definition, organization, and description of the proposed project.
    • The current state of the research, the proposed schedule of research, and the timeliness of the grant to ensuring the completion of the project.
    • The likelihood that the applicant will complete the project, if funded, based upon scholarly record and accomplishment following other grants.
    • The quality or future promise of the applicant's work as a scholar or creative writer and teacher.
    • Evidence of productivity generally, as well as that stemming from previous Taft grants.
    • The significance of the contribution that the proposed project will make to thought and knowledge in the field of the project.
    • The prestige and competitiveness of the external grant sought and the likelihood of external funding.

    obligations of grant recipients

    • Full disclosure of non-Taft funds received, including those from within the university. The Taft grant may not duplicate other funds granted for the same purpose, except when project costs exceed outside awards.
    • If there are any changes in plans from an approved application, the Taft grant recipient must notify the Taft Faculty Chair, and request, in writing, approval for the changes. Failure to comply with this rule will nullify the grant.
    • Publications and creative work generated with the help of Taft grants should acknowledge the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati. Copies of such publications should be sent to the Taft Faculty Chair.
    • If travel is involved, a Travel Authorization Form must be completed prior to travel, submitted with reimbursement paperwork.

    See Reimbursement Procedures for additional information.

    reimbursement procedures

    The following procedures should be followed in order to insure timely reimbursement:

     

    • All amounts should be in US dollars, and the exchange rate used should be indicated. Daily exchange rates can be found at a number of commercially available sites, including oanda.com.
    • Per university policies, Grant recipients must submit receipts and travel reimbursement through Concur, within 30 calendar days of the conclusion of the trip. 
    • Taft will not reimburse expenses for alcohol.
    • Any deviation from the approved proposal must receive written authorization from the Taft Faculty Chair, in order to be funded. This includes any transfer between line items on approved budgets.
    • In cases of collaborator travel:
      • The grant recipient must complete a TA request through Concur, on behalf of the travelling collaborator. All expenses are to be processed through Concur. The department’s business personnel will be able to assist with the submission of expenses. 
      • Per diem reimbursement is based on the federal rate for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and may be claimed without receipts, except for lodging, which requires an itemized receipt and proof of payment.