Seed Funding
Seed funding grants are intended for full-time faculty interested in participating in transdisciplinary research projects in areas of strategic interest to Bentley. Teams are invited to submit a short (up to five pages) submission describing their proposed research project. Proposals from teams comprising Arts and Science faculty and Business faculty are not only invited but are actively encouraged.
As indicated above, most proposals shall relate to aspects of the themes that are of strategic importance to Bentley:
- business and information technology
- the scholarship of teaching
- the intersection of the Arts and the Sciences with Business,
- global commerce and cultures,
but proposals concerned with other, emergent areas of interest will also be welcome. In addition, faculty considering supervising PhD students might propose a program of work that would be attractive to potential PhD students. Recall that the overall theme of our PhD programs is Business, Technology and Society. Examples of topics that would relate to the work of the various centers, programs and institutes are provided in the attachment.
Applications for seed funding
As with summer grant applications, applications/proposals should be no longer than five pages in length and should include a general description of the proposed project/research, a plan of action, an indication of the likely outcomes and benefits to Bentley. In addition, applications for seed funding should include an indicative budget and one of the team should be identified as the team leader. (NB. All supported research projects involving human subjects must receive IRB approval prior to commencement of the research). If your proposal is directly relevant to the mission of the Alliance, the Women’s Leadership Institute, the expanded role of the Cronin International Center, the Business-IT Council, the Teaching-Learning Initiative, the Center for the Arts and Sciences, etc., then it may well be in your best interest to discuss your plans with those who head up these areas, and seek their written support for your submission.
Unlike summer grant applications that are handled in the department initially, proposals for research seed funding are due in the Provost’s office by Friday January 26, 2007. A copy should also be sent to the dean. As of this coming year, it will be the Research Committee who will review each proposal and make recommendations to the provost and deans. Decisions will be made by the end of February. Proposals will be judged, in part, based on the following materials:
- short bibliographies (two double-spaced pages)
- current CVs that highlight publications, presentations and teaching related to the proposal
- clear methodology for achieving an appropriate objective within the timeframe
- impact
- plan for dissemination of findings
- sound rationale for resources requested
- plans to seek external funding
- relevant expertise and leadership skills in collaborative projects, or at least demonstrable potential
- keenness to work in a collaborative, transdisciplinary team.
The review process for seed funding may include comments and suggestions for revision and a final screen following initial review.
- either a course release (not applicable for those on 2-2 course loads or lower) or summer money (1/9 of salary; not applicable for those paid in the summer under contract)
- up to $10,000 in expenses, including training, purchase of books/reports, software, data gathering, travel to research sites, transcription, conference travel for presentation of results at refereed (inter-) national conferences, and/or major practitioner events, and research assistance (as appropriate).
NB. No capital expenses will be funded (computer equipment, etc.).
It is important to note that funding is limited. An average of 18 faculty have received seed funding support in one form or another in each of the past two years. This year's budget allows for up to $100,000 in seed funding.
NB. To repeat, seed funding for a particular project can extend into a second year, but should funding be required after the second year, a subsequent request must be made and will be considered in light of progress made, outcomes thus far, particular circumstances, and the competing demands on a limited budget.
