Spring 2019 Request for Mini-Grant Proposals

(Please read this page carefully as some information has changed. 2019-Jan-07)
 
The College of Engineering’s Office of Engineering Research (OER) supports college faculty in building research programs of nationally-recognized excellence. The OER is soliciting proposals from College of Engineering faculty for $10,000 mini-grants to support proposal development efforts for external research grants. This support can be direct, e.g. release time to develop and submit a proposal or indirect support, e.g. student salary support to initiate new research to test ideas or collect preliminary data with the intent to develop a grant proposal. Awards will be considered based on the scientific and technical merit leading to a high potential for funding.

 

The following are the topics of interest:

Aerospace Autonomous Systems & Robotics Biomedical Applications
Communications, Sensing, & Signal Processing    Cybersecurity    Energy & Energy Storage
Environment & Infrastructure Manufacturing & Systems Engineering Water

 

Applications are due no later than 5:00pm on 31 January 2019 and must be submitted using the online application form. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Awards will be announced no later than 30 March 2019.

FAQ

Q: How many mini-grant awards will be made?
A: An internal panel will review applications and make up to ten mini-grant awards.

Q: How can the mini-grant be used?
A: The mini-grant may be used to provide engineering faculty course release time, undergraduate/graduate engineering student salary support (including summer), and travel for purposes of proposal development efforts e.g. federal agencies or prospective university partners. The mini-grant may not be used for faculty summer salary, faculty supplemental compensation, conference travel, or equipment purchases.

Q: How are these mini-grants being paid for?
A: Up to three mini-grant awards may be made from the Kazda Family gift in the areas of autonomous systems & robotics and communications, sensing, & signal processing. Up to five mini-grant awards may be made from the WERC/IEE endowment in the areas of energy, environment, and water. Up to four mini-grant awards may be made from OER overhead.

Q: Does the mini-grant award have to be spent before 31 December 2019?
A: Yes, the mini-grant award must be spent before 31 December 2019 and the targeted research proposal should be due before 31 December 2019. Unspent funds will be returned to OER.

Q: What are the deliverables?
A: The submitted proposal serves as the deliverable.

Eligibility and Suggestions

New faculty that receive startup funding during the 2018-2019 academic year are not eligible to apply.

New collaborations between senior (>10 years @ NMSU) and junior faculty (<10 years @ NMSU) are viewed favorably.

New collaborations across engineering departments are viewed favorably.