Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry and Scholarship Program (GIA)

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Special Instructions For Shared Equipment Requests (Category #2)

The Graduate School is particularly interested in supporting equipment requests that benefit a wide range of research projects across a variety of disciplines.  Keep in mind that the scientific/scholarly merit of the work will be assessed in comparison with proposals submitted by other applicants.  Applications should be made on the standard Grant-in-Aid forms and should include the following information:

1. Out of all the proposed users of this equipment, identify two or three primary users and designate one as PI, for whom a complete application form must be submitted. The title may simply be the piece of equipment; the abstract should name the piece of equipment, list the group of users and their departmental affiliations, and indicate the basic line of research each is pursuing.  The abstract should also provide plans for the maintenance, operation and technical support.
2. An investigator should document attempts that have been made to locate the desired equipment on campus.  A description of all similar equipment should be included with potential availability for utilization noted.  The committees treat with special caution requests for major equipment items that duplicate instruments or facilities already at the University.
3. Within the sections Present Status of Knowledge and Plan of Work (items #2 & #3 of insert #2), somewhat extensive information should be provided about the research of each of the primary users(co-Investigators). Indicate why the equipment is essential to the program and how it would further the research related to present grants or pending proposals listed on the Past, Present, Potential Funding statement. Two or three citations of recent literature should be included for each project described.  Be specific about the research project for which the equipment is being requested.  Reviewers will evaluate primarily how the research project will be enhanced by the role of the equipment.
   
   For additional users of the equipment, include a more brief description of each of their individual research projects. It should be possible to limit insert #2 to 2,000 words as requested in the instructions, although some flexibility will be allowed. Present enough information about the equipment to enable the reader to evaluate whether it is the best (functionally, cost-wise, etc.) item for the job.
4. Primary users (co-Investigators) should complete the cover page of the application, an Abbreviated Vita and Publications and the Past, Present and Potential Funding statement to be included with the PI's application and sign the PI's insert #5 (Compliance & Signature Form).  Please indicate the individual user's name at the top of his or her inserts to eliminate any possible confusion.
5. The Past, Present and Potential Funding statement should include information on what other sources will be contributing to the purchase of this equipment (individual grants, college, department, industry, etc.) and the respective amounts.  Attach copies of commitment letters from these sources if available.  Note that proposals funded in this category must include a 30-50% match.

Revised 7/07