MnDRIVE Advancing Industry, Conserving Our Environment requests proposals for new and innovative pilot-scale Seed Grant projects in the areas of chemical and biological environmental remediation.
Overview
The overall goal of MnDRIVE Environment is to stimulate interdisciplinary and collaborative research between university researchers and industry partners, which translate into innovative solutions that help conserve the environment and stimulate sustainable economic growth across Minnesota. This RFP seeks Seed Grant proposals that use biological or chemical agents to remove or detoxify contaminants in polluted soil, water, or air. We enthusiastically request submissions that push the limits of innovation via novel, interdisciplinary, exploratory, and partnership-centric research. Visit our Research Projects pages to get a sense of what we have funded recently.
Seed Grant RFP Details
The goal of the Seed Grant funding program is to improve chemical and biological remediation strategies and their applications related to environmental challenges across Minnesota. Seed Grants are intended to support new research only and funds may not be used to support existing research projects. Qualifying principal investigators may submit a proposal, unless you are a PI on an active Seed Grant award at the time of the project start date (full eligibility details below).
Funding Categories:
A) Postdoctoral Research Scholars
Eligible PIs may submit proposals for new projects in support of a postdoctoral scholar. Each successful award will be $71,000, which includes $61,000 for postdoctoral scholar salary and fringe and $10,000 for supplies/services (e.g., analysis/instrumentation fees, project lab supplies, outreach materials/expenses). Initial awards will be for one year, and can be renewed for a second year contingent upon demonstration of progress and fulfillment of reporting requirements.
The research proposal should be 2-pages, single-spaced (12 pt. font with 1 inch margins), and include any references and a concise outreach plan*. It should clearly indicate how the proposed research aligns with the MnDRIVE initiative’s goals. Applicants should attach to their 2-page proposal the following items:
- PI's CV (2 page max)
- At least one letter of support from a partner organization (external to UMN)
<<These documents should be merged into a single PDF and uploaded.>>
*Examples of appropriate outreach projects are: instructional programs in a K-12 setting, video presentations of research posted on the BTI video channel, small group mentoring in a K-12 setting, museum exhibits for public consumption or collaboration with an artist. Use your imagination in these times of COVID.
B) Graduate Research Scholars
Eligible Lead PIs may submit proposals for new projects in support of a graduate student researcher. Each successful award will be $55,000, which includes $45,000 for graduate student salary and fringe (the actual amount depending on the home departmental norms) and $10,000 for supplies/services. Initial awards will be for one year, and can be renewed for a second year contingent upon demonstration of progress and fulfillment of reporting requirements.
The research proposal should be 2-pages, single-spaced (12 pt. font with 1 inch margins), and include any references and a concise outreach plan*. It should clearly indicate how the proposed research aligns with the MnDRIVE Initiative’s goals. Applicants should attach to their 2-page proposal the following items:
- PI's CV (2 page max)
- At least one letter of support from a partner organization (external to UMN)
<<These documents should be merged into a single PDF and uploaded.>>
*Examples of appropriate outreach projects are: instructional programs in a K-12 setting, video presentations of research posted on the BTI video channel, small group mentoring in a K-12 setting, museum exhibits for public consumption or collaboration with an artist. Use your imagination in these times of COVID.
Principal Investigator Eligibility
There are two eligibility requirements that applicants must meet to qualify as a Principal Investigator (PI), and thus be qualified to submit to the Seed Grant Program.
Requirement #1
Eligible PIs for Demonstration/Seed Grants must be either:
a tenure-track faculty from any campus within the University of Minnesota system
OR
a research scientist** within the University of Minnesota system
**Research scientists seeking PI eligibility are required to submit the following documentation (during the Eligibility Verification stage/task) for internal review by the MnDRIVE Environment Management Team:
A copy of your CV (3 pages max; PDF file only) demonstrating your successful track record of independent research, scholarly and peer-reviewed publications, and advising of University students/postdocs/researchers in independent discovery-based research.
Lead PI Eligibility Endorsement Form. It must be signed by yourself and your research supervisor, for the purpose of confirming:
control of and management authority for laboratory space and equipment, and
a successful track record of independent research, scholarly and peer-reviewed publications, and advising of university students/postdocs/researchers conducting independent discovery-based research.
Requirement #2
Eligible PIs and/or Co-PIs may have only one active award in each of our funding programs at any one time (i.e., Seed Grant** or Demonstration Grant). Therefore,
eligible PIs may submit to this Seed Grant RFP, as long as they do not have an active Seed Grant Award as of the start date of new Awards (Spring Awards begin July 1; Fall Awards begin January 1).
Additional Information & Guidance
To provide some additional guidance on the types of fundable research projects under MnDRIVE Environments current scope, we offer a non-exhaustive list of examples:
Fundable
Biological & Chemical-based remediation
Use of microorganisms and plants to transform or degrade pollutants
Use of biological and chemical agents together
Using microorganisms or plants to change the environment to facilitate chemical reactions
Direct use of chemicals to transform or degrade pollutants, in an environmentally relevant and friendly manner
New biological- or chemical-based sorbents used for remediation
Not fundable
Research focused on incineration processes
Research focused on filtration technologies
Survey or sampling projects
Observational case studies
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
As stated above, submitted proposals that meet the basic eligibility requirements during internal review and are aligned with the MnDRIVE Environment scope of research will be sent out for external review. A review panel will assess each proposal based on the following key criteria.
Key Criteria for proposal evaluation:
Alignment with MnDRIVE Environment goals
Overall quality and scientific merit
Clarity of project plan, plan feasibility, and longevity of research interests
Relevance to and value for Minnesota’s sustainable economy, industry innovation, and environmental health
Public outreach plan and broader impacts
Industry partnership(s) - level of commitment and clarity of roles/ responsibilities
Award Reporting Requirements
Successful awardees will be expected to follow the below requirements and reporting obligations, as part of the PI’s active award management responsibilities.
Within 3 months of the project start date, a formal Public Outreach Plan must be submitted within your Award Account (SMApply). MnDRIVE Environment encourages the PI to make the respective Postdoctoral / Graduate Research Scholar a “collaborator” within your account, and have the Scholar assemble and submit the Outreach Plan.
Requests for Year 2 Funding should be submitted no later than 1 month prior to the end date of your Award. You will receive a reminder email from MnDRIVE, and your Year 2 Funding request should be submitted via your Award Account.
If you choose not to apply for Year 2 Funding for your Seed Grant, your project Final Report will be due by the end date of your Award. Final reports may also be submitted via your Award Account.
Proposals are due by April 18, 2022 (23:59 CST).
Click here to access the SMApply submission portal.
