Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue

Application Information

Application Instructions

Proposal narratives should not exceed four pages.

Your narrative should address the following:

  • A description of the research questions and topics of interest and how it relates to UT’s strengths and assets;
  • A description of the history of the partnership, including why the partner was chosen, including is the partner eligible to leverage funding to support the partnership;
  • A description of the proposed activities and a timeline. The description needs to include a strategy that will commit the team to identifying and working toward a longer-term funded collaboration. The timeline should cover the period from seed award to the deliverable(s) due dates;
  • A description of the expected outcomes for the proposed project; and
  • The long-term goals of this partnership and descriptions of entities involved.

In addition to the proposal narrative, please also include the following supporting materials:

  • CV for lead PI;
  • A proposed budget with indications of cost share noted (See Use of Funds)
  • A list of UTK/UTIA & non-UTK collaborators with their department and university affiliations and prior collaborations identified (Not to exceed two pages)
  • A list indicating the current and pending funding for the lead PI, to include: proposal title, status of support (current/pending/submission planned) funding source, proposal start date (mm/yyyy), proposal end date (mm/yyyy), total award amount.
Submit A Proposal

Review Process

The review committee will use the following major review criteria. Point assessment out of 100 possible points

  • Likelihood of creating an institutional partnership: What is the likelihood that this collaboration can grow beyond the faculty members currently participating? How strong is the plan for exploring collaboration opportunities? (40 points possible)
  • Merit and Significance: Will the proposed project advance research in the field? Does it challenge the current state of art? Will it overcome a barrier to advancing research in this field and broaden the horizon for future research? Is this a major question or problem? (25 points possible)
  • Feasibility and Approach: Are the proposed research plans, methods, and analyses appropriate? Will the methods and analyses achieve the objectives of the project? Are adequate resources (expertise, tools, equipment) included in the proposal? (10 points possible)
  • Innovation: Does the project leverage new theories, tools, or applications to advance the field? Will the project shift the current paradigm in the field? Are technical or intellectual innovations included in the proposal? Does the PI leverage individual or institutional differentiators? (10 points possible)
  • External Funding Strategy: Does the project align with the funding targets identified? Is it reasonable to expect that, in addition to alignment, funds will be available in the future (i.e. targeted program is not sun setting and is of continued interest to the funder)? Is the PI viable from target funder’s perspective? Is there potential alignment with other funders not mentioned in the proposal? (15 points possible)

An interdisciplinary review committee with faculty and staff will conduct reviews along this timeframe:

  • Submission deadline: November 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Due to a glitch with the InfoReady platform, used for your grant submission, the new deadline is
    November 10, 2021 at 5 pm ET.
  • November/December 2021 review
  • January 2022 award notice
  • All awarded funds must be expended and travel completed by December 31, 2022.

Progress Tracking and Reporting

Successful applicants will be required to submit a mid-year written progress report on program activities and one on outcomes upon completion of the program.

Questions

For more information, email: jmcgowan10@utk.edu