Targeted Excellence--Request for Proposals 2008-2009
- Introduction
We are beginning the sixth year of the Targeted Excellence program with this solicitation for pre-proposals. As we begin this sixth year, we continue the process of re-evaluating the program to determine whether these investments should continue in the future under the current format and objectives versus redirecting these funds toward academic programs in new ways based on institutional and college priorities that continue to elevate the university as a premier land grant institution. The original initiative came about after the completion of a new strategic plan for the university and was intended to complement our efforts to become a Top-Ten Land Grant institution by making resources available "to enhance those programs (primarily inter-disciplinary) with the promise of elevating the university's stature." I believe the results of these Targeted Excellence investments have truly contributed toward our institutional success, and for that reason, we are continuing the program with some modifications. Individuals or teams interested in making a proposal for consideration in this year's competition should read and study carefully the Targeted Excellence documents, especially Guiding Principles for University Excellence and Targeted Excellence Phase II: Criteria, Standards, and Procedures for Funding Programs for University Excellence. These are found at the Office of the Provost's website: http://www.k-state.edu/provost/planning/targetexc/background.htm . Note, however, that for this year’s competition, the maximum award per funded proposal will be $1 million, total, for a period of up to four years. Pre-proposals should be linked to current college and university priorities, and projects that have already received funds through Targeted Excellence in previous rounds are generally discouraged from reapplying, as the goal of the program is for funded projects to become self-sufficient. However, resubmissions will be considered if compelling reasons exist.
- Proposals
- General information
Requests for funding through the Targeted Excellence program will be judged according to guidelines contained in the Targeted Excellence Phase II document referenced above. In addition, two broad, overarching concepts will underlie the process of evaluation for each proposal, along with three subsidiary considerations - (1) intellectual merit and the (2) potential for broader impact are of primary importance and will be weighted equally; other factors, such as (3) benchmarks to measure success, (4) sustainability, and (5) feasibility will also be considered. Review panels for pre-proposals and full proposals will be drawn from within and outside the university, representing various disciplines, to include individuals conversant with applied fields, the fine arts, humanities, and sciences (biological, physical, social). Committees evaluating full proposals may include members from the pre-proposal review groups.
- Pre-proposals
Pre-proposals should be 3-5 pages in length, excluding references and curriculum vitae, and should address the two overarching concepts and three subsidiary considerations listed above. Curriculum vitae should not exceed 2 pages per person. Applicants should utilize the standard cover page that includes (a) project title, (b) brief project description, (c) potential impact/intellectual merit, (d) dollar amount requested, and (e) team members. The text of the pre-proposal should be in a standard 12-point font, single-spaced, with one-inch margins all around. Pre-proposals should include an estimated time frame and rough budget for the project, explaining whether items are one-time or recurring. Sources of matching funds should be listed and preference may be given to projects that have matching support, including identified support from the colleges. Applicants should list three potential on-campus and three potential outside reviewers, along with complete contact information (name, address, telephone number, email address), and describe the role of each member of the project team, using normal university guidelines for participation eligibility. Completed pre-proposals should be submitted on disk and paper, along with the cover page and appropriate signatures, to the Office of the Provost for initial review on or before the due date of Monday, September 29, 2008. The Office of Pre-Award Services is willing to look over your pre- and full-proposals before you submit them, if they are given sufficient time to do so. Plan on getting this information to them not later than one week prior to the submission deadlines.
- Proposals
Upon completion of the initial review, the Project Director(s) for those pre-proposals selected for the full proposal competition will be contacted and asked to submit full proposals. Manuscript preparation guidelines described above should be used for the proposals, but these may include up to 15 pages of text, excluding references and curriculum vitae. Completed proposals on disk and paper should be sent to the Office of Pre-Award Services using the KSU Sponsored Projects Transmittal Sheet, available from the KSU website at http://www.ksu.edu/research/forms/preaward/index.htm .
- Timeline
- Wednesday, July 16--Request for Proposals (RFP) announcement
- Monday, August 11--reminder for RFP
- Monday, September 29--deadline for pre-proposals
- Monday, December 1--review panel recommendations due to Provost
- Monday, December 8--notify applicants regarding the status of their pre-proposals
- Monday, February 2--full proposals due
- Wednesday, March 11--outside reviewers' comments due
- Monday, April 13--review panel forwards recommendations to the Provost
- Monday, May 11--announce projects to be funded for the next academic year
- Wednesday, July 1--funding available for projects