Opportunity Overview
This funding opportunity is designed to support research efforts that leverage Iowa State University’s (ISU) unique expertise or capabilities in response to emerging critical scientific or technical needs. The goal is to conduct preliminary work that provides ISU a competitive advantage with upcoming funding opportunities.
Eligibility
- The project must address a critical scientific or technical need that emerged recently or is likely to emerge in a upcoming funding opportunity.
- The proposed work must align with a niche ISU expertise or capability.
- The proposal submission date for the targeted funding opportunity must be within 3 to 6 months.
Project Justification
Applicants must demonstrate that an emerging funding opportunity presents a critical need that aligns with ISU’s unique expertise. The proposed preliminary work should be necessary to:
- Formulate a hypothesis,
- Verify the feasibility of methods, or
- Establish experimental/computational bounds.
Funding Justification
The requested support should enable focused research efforts to strengthen ISU’s position in responding to funding opportunities where we have a comparative advantage. The work should provide essential groundwork for a strong external proposal.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following:
- Project Summary – A brief description of the critical scientific or technical need, including how it aligns with ISU’s expertise.
- Targeted Funding Opportunity – A description of the upcoming funding opportunity, including agency, timeline, and relevance to the proposed work.
- Proposed Work Plan – A detailed outline of the preliminary research activities, including:
- Scientific or technical goals
- Methods to be explored and feasibility assessments
- Expected outcomes and impact
- Potential for Follow-on Projects – A statement on how the preliminary work will enhance ISU’s position for follow-on funding and long-term research impact.
- Budget Justification – A breakdown of the requested funding and how it will support the proposed research.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Scientific/Technical Value – The significance and innovation of the potential contribution.
- Specificity & Alignment – How well the proposed work aligns with the identified funding opportunity.
- Potential for Follow-on Projects – The likelihood that the preliminary work will lead to successful external funding.
Submission Deadline & Process
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Submit materials to COEfunding@iastate.edu.
- Awards will be announced as soon as the review is completed.
Final Report
- A brief report must be submitted within three months of completion with the follow-on proposals’ details.
- Submit the final report to COEfunding@iastate.edu
For any questions, please contact Arun K. Somani.