IN THE NEWS
QUEST--A new look and broader mission for UTOR newsletters
To be recognized as a top-tier research institution, it is vital that the University of Tennessee, Knoxville communicate locally, nationally, and internationally about the incredible array of research undertaken here.
That’s why I am proud to introduce QUEST, the university’s new research communication initiative. Under the leadership of the Office of Research and the Office of Communications and Marketing, QUEST will open the eyes of faculty and staff, as well as external audiences, to the vitality of our multidisciplinary research enterprise.
QUEST unifies communication initiatives from the Office of Research. It gives faculty and staff a centralized source of information about new grant solicitations and awards. It shows the tremendous breadth of inquiry across our campus.
The Office of Research will continue to generate these paired newsletters, but their updated design will make it clear that they are part of QUEST.
QUEST will appear in online and print formats to share the story of UT Knoxville research with the world. The site will be updated regularly with news and features on UT Knoxville research. The magazine, to be printed every four months, will provide compelling stories about campuswide research activities.
I invite you to explore QUEST at http://quest.utk.edu. Look through the site, bookmark it, and make it a regular stop. I hope you’ll join me in relying on QUEST as the place to learn more as we establish UT Knoxville’s recognition in the exciting world of research.
Brad Fenwick
Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement
New Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis
Biologists and mathematicians from around the world will take part in a new institute dedicated to bringing top researchers together to find creative solutions to pressing problems in both scientific fields.
Known as the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), the center is funded by a $16 million award from the National Science Foundation and is located at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Louis Gross, UT Knoxville professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will head the new center to be located on the fourth floor of the 1534 White Avenue building.
Center scientists believe that more than 600 researchers each year will travel to Knoxville for working groups or conferences hosted by NIMBioS. “NIMBioS will have an immediate impact, bringing top researchers to this globally-significant institute,” said Brad Fenwick, UT Knoxville vice chancellor for research and engagement.
Read the full NSF announcement | More information
Process for faculty start-up fund requests
Start-up funds are often a critical element in the successful recruitment and launch of a faculty member’s career. All UT Knoxville tenured and tenure-track faculty, regardless of discipline, are eligible to receive startup funding support. To facilitate this process in a timely fashion, new procedures are being implemented.
When negotiating with candidates for faculty positions, department heads should request a plan for the use of the startup funds being requested by the candidate. The department head must then assess whether the funds being requested and the plan for their use are reasonable and appropriate for the position being filled.
A request for startup funding support after a candidate has accepted a position is not appropriate.
This process was initiated on July 15, 2008, and is fully implemented for new hires in fiscal year 2009 and beyond. The annual review portion of this process will begin at the end of FY09 for new hires that started prior to FY09.
Complete details
Equipment proposals move to fall
The deadline for the Equipment and Infrastructure Awards made by the UT Office of Research has been moved to October 15, 2008.
The fund, which provides approximately $300,000 to purchase, upgrade, and repair research equipment on the UT Knoxville campus, has traditionally accepted faculty proposals in the spring, but for fiscal year 2009 and following years, the office will accept proposals in the fall. This change will resolve problems that required the office to carry over funds from one budget year to the next.
Proposals for EIA funding should be submitted electronically to Jane Taylor, tayloje@utk.edu, by noon, October 15, 2008, and should not exceed five pages in length.
The EIA program is part of the Scholarly Activity and Research Incentive Fund that provides support of various types to UT Knoxville faculty.
More information
Export control information available
Robin Witherspoon, the UT Office of Research specialist in export control and other federal limitations on research information, is available for consultations on research projects. She can be reached at (865) 974-0232 or rwither@utk.edu. Witherspoon is available to talk to departmental groups, and the Office of Research plans to offer seminars with federal officials on issues connected to the export of sensitive information.
More Export Control information
OPPORTUNITIES
NSF offers webcast on new EFRI biosensing, hydrocarbon programs
The National Science Foundation has scheduled a webcast from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2008 on topics in the 2009 Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Program.
Two new research areas have been identified for the 2009 EFRI solicitation, including Biosensing and BioActuation: Interface of Living and Engineering Systems (BSBA) and Hydrocarbons from Biomass (HyBi).
UT researcher Barry Bruce was a member of the NSF Grand Challenge Task Force that advocated for the BSBA program.
The solicitation for the two new programs has been published. There are no limits on the number of proposals the University of Tennessee may submit. NOTE: The lead PI must have an appointment in the College of Engineering.
Deadline for letter of intent (required):
October 14, 2008
Deadline for preliminary proposal (required):
December 2, 2008
Deadline for full proposal: April 30, 2009 (NOTE: For UT Knoxville proposers, the deadline is 8:00 a.m., five full business days before April 30, 2009.)
More information |
Register for the webcast
UT faculty with developing technologies can qualify for up to $15,000 in support from the UT Research Foundation's second UTRF Maturation Funding competition.
The competition is open to all UT researchers, including staff and students, who are working with an invention or creation that has been disclosed or is ready to be.
The grants support projects that demonstrate the technology in order to increase its commercial readiness or provide new data.
Deadline: November 21, 2008
More information
Contacts:
Richard Magid in Memphis, (901) 448-1562
Stacey Patterson for all other locations, (865) 974-3140
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announces a second annual open-call competition that will provide $2 million in awards to innovators shaping the field of digital media and learning. The Digital Media and Learning Competition, supported through a grant to the University of California, Irvine, and administered by HASTAC, has been expanded to pilot international submissions and introduce a new category focusing on young innovators. Innovation in Participatory Learning awards are designed to support the most promising and dynamic projects that enable and enhance innovative participatory learning. These pioneering projects will demonstrate new modes of participatory learning in a variety of environments, by creating new digital tools, modifying existing ones, or using digital media in some other novel way.
Deadline: October 1, 2008
More information
NSF Solar Energy Initiative (SOLAR)
The Directorate of Mathematical & Physical Sciences (divisions of chemistry, materials research, and mathematical sciences) is soliciting proposals for interdisciplinary efforts by researchers to address the challenges of highly efficient harvesting, conversion, and storage of solar energy. Requires three or more co-PIs, at least one each from chemistry, materials research, and mathematical sciences.
Deadline for preliminary proposal: December 16, 2008
More information:
NIH Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration (EUREKA)
The National Institutes of Health, through nine of its component institutes, is funding exceptionally innovative research on novel hypotheses or difficult problems, solutions to which would have an extremely high impact on biomedical or biobehavioral research.
Deadline for letter of intent: September 29, 2008
More information
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