Seed Grants
The Functional Genomics Seed Grant Program is intended to broadly build biotechnology capacity at USU via
multidisciplinary collaborations. As such, three (3) or more USU investigators are eligible to initiate research in
genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, or a related field in systems biology via this program. The
primary goal of this program is to support inter-disciplinary research resulting in preliminary data for proposal
submission and publication. Priority for funding this year will be given to proposals that focus on any of the
following areas:
• In vitro models for the study of biological interactions as a system;
• Bioinformatics;
• Projects that form substantial integration of any two following areas: genomics, proteomics, or
metabolomics to address a tractable hypothesis;
Investigators who have received prior seed grant funding and provide formal acknowledgement of proposal submission and/or manuscript submission resulting from that funding will be eligible for this RFP. No proposals will be funded that substantially overlap with existing seed grant programs at USU including CURI, START or Advance grants, among others. No-cost extensions are discouraged; however, under exceptional circumstances they may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Download a pdf version of the program announcement/proposal preparation instructions.
Seed Grant Proposal Preparation Instructions:
Page limit: Not to exceed 7 pages (not including vitae)
- Formatting:
- Not less than 10-point font, 1-inch margins
- Page Limit:
- 7 pages (excluding application, references and vitae)
- Application Form:
- 1 page (not included in page limit)
- Non-technical Summary:
- ½ page
- Description:
- ½ page
- A detailed description of how the proposal integrates the USU investigators and a clear outline of the specific
roles/responsibilities of each is required. Describe how and if the investigators have worked together previously.- Budget:
- 1 page
Budgets must include the following: graduate student salary, travel, materials, and totals for each sub-category. A brief two-line justification should be included with each budget item. PI or Co-PI compensation, including compensation for non-USU collaborators, is not allowed.- Proposal Narrative:
- 5 pages
Clearly state the project hypotheses and objectives to be completed. Include the significance of the problem to the scientific community and the public. Include preliminary results, if any. Experimental design should include sufficient detail to permit a life sciences reviewer to judge the project’s merit, likelihood of success and potential for the results to lead to additional, more substantial funding. Page limit includes figures, tables, etc., but not references.- Curriculum Vitae:
- 2 pages per investigator (not included in page limit), with current and pending support.
Proposal Submission:
Proposals must be submitted electronically as a .pdf document to CIBresearch@usu.edu, along with a signed application form (scanned and submitted electronically) on or before the close of business on April 2, 2007. Each submission will receive an acknowledgement email.
Review Process:
Each proposal will be peer-reviewed by external reviewers, as well as on-campus reviewers. Awards will be announced in June 2007 for a start date of July 1, 2007.
Final Report:
A forty-five (45) minute seminar will be considered as the final report. Receipt of formal acknowledgement of proposal submission from funding agency and/or manuscript submission is required within 1 year of project termination to be eligible for future funding. Clear acknowledgement of Selective Investment funding is required in all publications/presentations resulting from this funding.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions, please contact Ken White (797-2149).