To: LDEO Scientific Research Community
From: Steering Committee, Observatory Technical &
Innovation Center
Date: August 8: 2013
Subject: Request for Proposals
The Paros-PGI Observatory Technical &
Innovation Center [OTIC] Steering Committee is requesting proposals for
the development of innovative instruments to be used in making laboratory
and/or field observations. More than one proposal may be selected for funding.
Some additional funds may be made available that can
be used to buy equipment, design software or some piece of test gear to help
enable your OTIC project. To be considered for additional funding, such
additional items must be of general use to the Lamont community and would
revert to the Technical and Innovation Center at the conclusion of your project
for future shared use by the Lamont community.
The deadline for proposals is 15 October, 2013.
Rules:
1) Projects should be innovative (e.g., while purchase of off-the-shelf equipment
is not considered innovative, innovation may be brought out through significant
modification or integration of such equipment). Use of these OTIC funds as
leverage to acquire external funds will be considered positively.
2) The total budget should be in the $15-25k range (though grants requesting
less have been awarded), and should be used for dedicated equipment, materials,
software and engineering/technical salaries. We will not provide funding for
purchase of non-specific equipment (e.g. general-purpose computers),
scientist/administrative salaries or travel.
If your project would require an item of general use to the Lamont community,
identify it as such on a separate line in your budget for consideration for
separate funding (see above).
The budget should not include ICR, but must include a 3% administrative fee
applied to non-equipment items.
3) Proposals can be submitted by anyone on the LDEO scientific and engineering
staff (including graduate students and post docs).
A proposal from a graduate student must have the approval of the studentŐs
advisor of record, either implicitly by serving as
co-PI, or by providing an email expressing approval to the committee.
4) Proposals are recommended to be less than 4 pages and should not exceed 5 pages
in length (with 1" margins, 1.5 line spacing, 12 pt fonts), including
text, itemized budget, figures, and tables. Proposals must be submitted by email as
a PDF to the OTIC co-chairs Spahr Webb scw@ldeo.columbia.edu and Bruce Huber
bhuber@ldeo.columbia.edu
5) The OTIC Steering Committee will serve
as the Selection Committee. The
Committee may select multiple proposals for funding subject to the availability
of funds (however, there may also be no awards made in a given cycle). Members of the steering committee who
are associated with any of the proposals will be recused from the entire
selection process, thus the committee may temporarily replace committee
appointees when considering proposals.
6) The OTIC funds for selected projects will be transferred to a
new non-government account. Cost overruns will be the responsibility of
the PI.
7) Project duration is not to exceed 12 months. Requests for a one-time no-cost
extension for a second 12 months will be considered.
In view of the potential for unforeseen issues arising in high-risk endeavors,
the steering committee will consider requests for supplemental funds up to $10k
to help bring a particularly promising project to successful conclusion.
8) A
brief progress report will be requested approximately 9 months from the start
date of the project. A brief final report (2 pages) describing the
outcome of the project is due within three months of the termination of
the project. This report should include references to any publications or
externally supported grants that have resulted (or been proposed) from this
work.
If you need further assistance or have additional
questions, please contact, Bruce Huber (bhuber@ldeo.columbia.edu,
845-365-8329)
Thank you, OTIC Steering Committee,
Spahr Webb, Bruce Huber Co-chairs