OURC/Baker Fund Awards

(Use provided OURC/Baker form)

Prepare a cover page. Signatures must be obtained by the applicant; electronic signatures or multiple cover pages for individual signatures are allowable.

Internal Use ONLY (Use provided OURC/Baker form) - Required: Complete requested information.

Use provided OURC/Baker form - Prepare and sign the checklist.

(1 page maximum)

The abstract must include a brief description of the project, significance (advancement of knowledge in the field and relevance for the broader society), methodology, and expected outcomes. To accommodate the varied backgrounds of the committee members, the abstract must be written in language understandable by an informed layperson.

(must be included in resubmissions ONLY) (1 page maximum)

Summarize any substantial additions, deletions, and changes that have been made. The introduction should briefly respond to criticisms of the previous application and should be written in language understandable by an informed layperson.

If an applicant includes this section for a project that is not a resubmission, it will count towards the page limit of the Discussion section and may render the application noncompliant.

Including methodology (10 pages maximum) - The applicant must use lay language so the applicant's plan is accessible to those outside the field.

The discussion section communicates the applicant's work plan for the one-year project period. The required format for this section is

1. Specific Aims - Describe precisely what will be accomplished in the work. If the proposed project is part of a larger body of work, clearly identify the portion that will be completed with the OURC/Baker Fund resources. The hypothesis, research questions, or premise of the research or creative activity should be stated clearly.
2. Context to the Field - Outline the background of the project and context to the existing field. It is important to contextualize your project in relationship to others' works. It is also important to explain how the project differs from or extends previous, related work: “What has previously been done in the area?” “How does this project relate to the previous work?”
3. Preliminary Studies of Applicant - Provide an account of the applicant's previous studies or work in the area in order to document expertise in the proposed area of study. The section should include a clear statement of the progress already achieved.

4. Methods - This section should include a clear statement of what will be achieved during the award period.

   The methodology should be clearly related to the proposed specific aims and hypothesis, research questions, or premise. Resources (e.g., facilities, access to subjects, and databases) to be used should be described in this section, as well as the extent to which their use has been assured. Test instruments, questionnaires, survey forms, letters of consent, technical drawings of equipment, and other supporting materials should be included in the "Appended Materials" section. Program evaluation and/or data analysis should be included in this section. Indicate how the results will be disseminated. Knowledge gained through project activities that is not disseminated through articles, performances, and other venues cannot make a contribution.

   The inclusion of a timeline is required to explain what has and will be accomplished and to describe the interdependence and timing of project tasks, as appropriate.

   Note: Training in new techniques may be necessary to carry out the proposed project. Applicants can only request funding for these activities if the training is a necessary part of a research or creative activity project; a full justification must be provided.

5. Significance - Detail how the proposed project will further the field. Why is the proposed work important to your field? What are the implications for theory, research, creative activity and/or practice?

   Detail how the proposed project could potentially benefit society. Include a statement of the broader impacts of the research/creative activity (e.g., Will your findings provide a better understanding of a societal problem? What is the potential impact of the project on society? What is the potential impact on other scholars (e.g., training other students)? In what ways, if any, will you make your results accessible to the public?)

   If the proposed research/creative activity has been vetted through an external review process that demonstrates the value of the proposed work, then this should be mentioned in this section with proof provided in the Appended Materials section. Examples include:

   1. A project under contract with a prestigious, external publisher.
   2. Research previously reviewed by an external funding agency, including reviewer comments requesting additional data.
6. Collaborations - Collaborators, either faculty or staff from Ohio University or another organization, must include an email or letter confirming their commitment to the project in the Appended Materials section. Discussion of roles and expertise related to the project must be described in this section. Students involved in the project should have their role defined as well.
7. Confidentiality - If the applicant plans to disclose ideas, practices, or processes for which patent protection will be or is being sought, the applicant should reach out to Carma West prior to submission.

In this section, the applicant should demonstrate the durable impact of pursuing the proposed project to the applicant’s career trajectory. This should include:

• How the project relates to their ongoing research/creative objectives and their longer term career goals.
• How the applicant will secure the resources needed to continue the proposed project. This includes identifying potential sponsors/grants for continued support.

Note: OURC/Baker Fund resources should be used to help progress a project towards completion, dissemination and contribution to the applicant’s career and to the field. Therefore, it is important that the applicant contextualizes the significance of the proposed work to longer-term goals beyond the project period.

(2 pages maximum)

Some disciplines use acronyms or terms that are unfamiliar to an informed layperson. Inclusion of a glossary may be helpful to better understanding of the project. Each Glossary term must be highlighted the first time it appears in the Discussion. Illustrations are acceptable within the Glossary but must not be used to circumvent the page limits of the Project Narrative.

(3 page maximum, no spacing or font requirements)

A carefully selected bibliography can strengthen a proposal by indicating to the reviewers that the applicant is aware of significant and current literature in the field. If appropriate to the discipline, an annotated bibliographic essay may be prepared, but it should include sufficiently detailed citations for the references listed.

(3 page maximum per person, no spacing or font requirements)

Include the following information for each of the applicant(s) and key personnel:

• General information: Name, highest academic degree, position and duration at the University, other professional positions and terms of service, experience, and accomplishments.
• Publications: Include only papers that have been published, are in press, or have been submitted for publication and are under consideration by the publisher.
• Papers presented and abstracts.

Accomplishments, publications, and papers presented within the last five (5) years only should be provided in this section. Memberships, participation in workshops or conferences, courses taught, scholarships, or committee memberships may be included if they have direct relevance to the proposed project.

(1 page maximum per person)

A. Previous University Funding: 

For applicants and key personnel, list all project-related funds received within the last three years, including:

• previous university research awards, including OURC and Baker Fund.
• non-grant funds received from college and department sources, including all start-up funds (from any source) and project support.

For each include:

• sponsor,
• project title,
• award date,
• dollar amount, and
• outcomes/deliverables including presentations, exhibitions, publications, and subsequent funding secured.

B. External Funding:
List all proposals submitted to outside agencies for this or any other project within the past three years. Include the same information as for internal funding.

(1” or greater margins on all sides; no page, spacing, or font size requirements)

Note: OURC/Baker Funds can only be used for the research/creative activity. Travel support for attendance at conferences, short courses, and symposia is not allowed.

This section should include:

• the budget breakdown by line items,
• total budget request amount,
• sources of matching funds (if applicable), and
• budget justification.

Funds may be requested for student wages, equipment, supplies, travel, and other bona fide project expenses. All project expenses that will be covered with sources other than OURC/Baker Fund should be clearly identified. The committee will give first priority to project expenses that constitute major obstacles to the completion of the project.

• The maximum award is $15,000.
• All budgetary items should be justified as to their relevance to the project. Without sufficient justification, items may be eliminated.
• Travel support for attendance at conferences, short courses, and symposia is not allowed.
• Applicants are reminded that all equipment, reference materials, and supplies purchased with OURC/Baker Fund resources remain Ohio University property.

Categories of budget items include:

A. Consumable Supplies: Provide adequate detail so that a person not knowledgeable in the field of the proposed research can assess the request. If the budget item is a common consumable supply generally available in most laboratories, offices, or studios, please justify the purchase with OURC/Baker Fund resources.

B. Travel: Travel expenses must be broken down into transportation, meals, lodging, and any other categories, and the basis for the figures must be provided. Travel support will be provided only for the furtherance of the proposed project.

Support for professional development is not allowable unless it is directly related to the proposed project and fully justified.

For domestic travel: The maximum level of reimbursement for meal expenses and hotel rates will be based on the U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates.

For international travel: The maximum level of reimbursement for meal expenses and hotel rates will be based on the U.S. Department of State per diem rates.

Air travel must be booked using a p-card and the Concur system through Christopherson Business Travel (CBT) per the University’s travel policy. Any travel reimbursements must adhere to travel policy 41.121.

C. Student Wages: Student hours and pay rates should be justified based on the nature of the work being done. Include hourly wage to be paid to the student and the number of hours to be worked. For undergraduates, pay rates above minimum wage will not be funded without a detailed justification. For graduate students, pay rates should be justified based on semester stipends and percentage of effort.

**Please Note: Under no circumstances does support for graduate student wages or stipends include or “trigger” a tuition waiver.**

The role and task of any personnel on the project must be defined in the justification and/or the discussion section.

D. Equipment: Requests for equipment should be made only after a conscientious search has been conducted to determine whether this equipment is already on campus and available through a loan or share arrangement. For computers and equipment, the specifications and capabilities must be stated and sufficiently justified. Any equipment purchased with OURC/Baker Fund resources is the property of Ohio University, not the applicant.

E. Other: Costs for transcription charges, photocopying charges, postage, purchase of essential publications, and fees paid to participants are eligible.

The following costs are ineligible for OURC/Baker funding:

• Faculty stipends, salary for the summer or for an academic year semester, or salary supplement while on leave under the University Faculty Fellowship Program.
• Subventions costs (Applicants should apply to the Faculty Research Support Program)
  • Typing drafts, preparing camera ready copy, or preparation of graphs, tables, or illustrations.
  • Costs for publication page charges/fees, open access publication costs, reprint costs, and printing services for posters.
  • Travel to professional meetings and conferences.
  • Employment of technicians on an ongoing basis. An exception may be made for short-term assistance in areas where the project director lacks expertise

F. Total: Enter total dollar amount requested. The total requested may not exceed $15,000.

Please Note: If the applicant has other sources of funding, the applicant should present an argument that the requested funding is not a duplication of external or internal funding. Note, the committee looks favorably on efforts by applicants to seek outside sources of funding that can ensure sustainability.

(10 page maximum; no spacing, margin, or font size requirements)

All appended materials must be submitted electronically, unless otherwise approved prior to submission. Examples of what to include in this section include:

• Test instruments, questionnaires, or survey forms that will be employed;
• Examples of the applicant’s previous work, including photographs, film, or audio footage (no more than 10 minutes in length). Their relevance to the proposed work should be explained.
• Confirmation from collaborators that they will participate in the project (in the form of an email or letter from each collaborator).
• Evidence that the proposed research/creative activity has been vetted through an external review process that demonstrates the value of the proposed work.

All materials included in the Appended Materials section must be referenced in the Discussion section. The inclusion of preprints and reprints as appendices is not allowed.