VT Faculty Activity Support Team

Fralin Life Sciences Institute

Janet Webster; (540) 231-9547
Expertise: Proposal management, Editing, Writing, Summit and Cayuse, Data Tables, Biosketches, Letters of Support, etc., Reviewing, Adherence to funding requirements, Finding funding
Funding Agency Experience: NIH, NSF, some experience with USDA, ONR, USAID, and various foundations.

Kristy Collins; (540) 231-1389
Expertise: Broader Impacts, various established programs that faculty can plug into (e.g. Kids' Tech University), Biotechnology Educators Conference, high school programs, REU-like programs for undergrads, hands-on campus activities, experience facilitating VT IRB regulated experiment studies.
Funding Agency Experience: NIH, NSF, DoD

Dustin Covey; (540) 231-9151
Expertise: IT, Websites, Data entry, Cayuse

Aaron Akers; (540) 231-9425
Expertise: Preaward and Project management, Contract negotiation, Postaward

Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science

Karen Turner; (540) 231-9310
Expertise: Budgeting, Cayuse, Summit

Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment (ISCE)

Yancey Crawford; (540) 231-7962
Expertise: Editing, Reviewing, Cayuse, Summit, Budget
Funding Agency Experience: NIH, NSF, various private foundations/organizations

College of Veterinary Medicine

Jessica Crawford; (540) 231-1814
Expertise: Proposal development, Budgeting, Compliance, Postaward management, Cayuse, Summit, Start-to-Finish help
Funding Agency Experience: NIH, USDA

CALS

Nancy Dudek; (540) 231-2450
Expertise: Project management, Putting together teams, Event Management, Tracking budget/Rebudgeting, Summit and Cayuse entry, Technical editing, proofreading and formatting, Talks (slides) and posters, Annual Report, Publicizing success, Commicating results to the public
Funding Agency Experience: NSF, NIH, USDA, USAID, DOE, Private Sponsors

University Libraries

Michael Stamper; (540) 231-1715
Expertise: Data visualization, Data graphics

Jon Petters; (540) 232-8682
Expertise: Data management plans, Data sharing plans

Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise (HNFE)

Lucinda Shewchuk; (540) 231-6565
Expertise: Proposal development, Budgeting, Compliance, Postaward management, Cayuse, Summit, Start-to-Finish help

College of Science

Andrew Volker; (540) 231-8739
Expertise: Administration, Finding funding, Large proposals, Junior faculty assistance
Funding Agency Experience: NSF, NIH, DOD

Foundation Relations

Foundation Relations develops a best-practices fundraising platform while advancing philanthropic foundation partnerships strategically aligned with the vision and priorities of Virginia Tech.

Tracy Krauchun; (540) 231-2896
Director of Foundation Relations

The Statistical Applications and Innovations Group (SAIG)

SAIG helps faculty, staff, and students apply the most modern techniques to both big and small data across University disciplines.  Power your research and your proposal with SAIG!  www.saig.stat.vt.edu

Jennifer Van Mullekom; (540) 231-6244
Expertise: Walk-in consultations, short term collaborations, and statistical training.  Resource long-term collaborations for sponsored research.  Study design, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting, including assistance in preparing publications. 

Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology

Julee Farley
Expertise: Assisting in the creation of partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools and Radford City Public Schools, developing and aligning broader impact activities which are aligned with school needs and state standards.    

Limited Submission Program: Internal (VT) Notice of Intent Deadlines

(System cuts off at 11:59 p.m. on the deadline)

NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25)  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-17-339.html:  Notice of Intent January 25, 2019.  The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The over-arching goal of this NIGMS R25 program is to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. To this end, this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) encourages the development of innovative educational activities for pre-kindergarten to grade 12 (P-12), pre-service and in-service teachers (Teachers) and students from underserved communities with a focus on Courses for Skills Development, Research Experiences, Mentoring Activities, Curriculum or Methods Development and Outreach.  Information on current SEPA projects can be found at:  https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/crcb/sepa/Pages/default.aspx and http://nihsepa.org.   Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the SEPA Scientific/Research Contact to be advised on the appropriateness of the intended P-12 STEM or ISE project for SEPA program objectives and the priorities of the NIGMS.

Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) (T32) https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-19-102.html: Notice of Intent February 1, 2019.  The goal of the Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) program is to develop a diverse pool of scientists earning a Ph.D., who have the skills to successfully transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) provides support to eligible, domestic institutions to develop and implement effective, evidence-based approaches to biomedical training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise. NIGMS expects that the proposed research training programs will incorporate didactic, research, mentoring, and career development elements to prepare trainees for careers that will have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation. This program is limited to applications from training programs at research-active institutions (i.e., those with an average of NIH Research Project Grant funding less than $7.5 million total costs over the last 3 fiscal years). This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) does not allow appointed Trainees to lead an independent clinical trial but does allow them to obtain research experience in a clinical trial led by a mentor or co-mentor.

New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award https://foundationfar.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/FINAL-2019-NIA-Call-for-Nominations.pdf: Notice of Intent February 4, 2019.  The Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) seeks nominations for its 2019 New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research Award. With this program, FFAR intends to support and promote the future generation of exceptionally talented and creative new faculty who are conducting critical research and establishing research programs that will lead to expanded availability of food and facilitate the global practice of sustainable agriculture as the world’s population grows to more than 9 billion people by the year 2050. The New Innovator Award seeks to promote career advancement of highly creative and promising new scientists who intend to make a long-term career commitment to research in food and agriculture and bring innovative, ground-breaking research initiatives and thinking to bear on problems facing food and agriculture.

The nominated faculty member must have been hired on or after August 1, 2015, for a tenure-track or equivalent position and may work in any discipline or any department within the institution. Preference will be given to individuals near the onset of their independent research career and who are within eight years of receiving a Ph.D. or equivalent degree. Individuals with significant research experience prior to obtaining their faculty position will not be considered for this award.

Faculty Development in the Space Sciences (FDSS)  https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14506/nsf14506.htm:  Notice of Intent April 5, 2019. The Geospace Section of the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, to ensure the health and vitality of solar and space sciences on university teaching faculties, is pleased to offer awards for the creation of new tenure-track faculty positions within the intellectual disciplines which comprise the space sciences. The aim of these awards is to integrate research topics in solar and space physics into basic physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, geoscience, meteorology, computer science, and applied mathematics programs, and to develop space physics graduate programs capable of training the next generation of leaders in this field. Space Science is interdisciplinary in nature and the Faculty Development in the Space Sciences awardees will be expected to establish partnerships within the university community.

Occupational Safety and Health Training Project Grants (T03) http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-352.html:  Notice of Intent April 5, 2019.  he National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), invites grant applications for Training Project Grants (TPGs) that are focused on occupational safety and health training. NIOSH is mandated to provide an adequate supply of qualified personnel to carry out the purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the TPGs are one of the principal means for meeting this mandate. The majority of TPGs are in academic institutions that provide high quality training in the core occupational safety and health disciplines of industrial hygiene (IH), occupational health nursing (OHN), occupational medicine residency (OMR), occupational safety (OS), as well as closely related allied disciplines. NIOSH also funds non-academic programs to meet specific training needs of targeted populations including firefighters, commercial fishermen and occupational health and safety interns.

Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Centers (T42)  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-303.html: Notice of Intent April 19, 2019.  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), invites grant applications for funding Education and Research Centers (ERCs) that are focused on occupational safety and health training, research training, education and outreach. NIOSH is mandated to provide an adequate supply of qualified personnel to carry out the purposes of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the ERCs are one of the principal means for meeting this mandate. ERCs are academic institutions that provide high-quality interdisciplinary graduate training, research training, continuing education, and outreach in the core occupational safety and health disciplines of industrial hygiene (IH), occupational health nursing (OHN), occupational medicine residency (OMR), and occupational safety (OS), as well as closely related allied disciplines. Research and research training are integral components of ERCs, with ERC faculty and NIOSH trainees conducting research on issues related to the NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The ERCs also serve as regional resources for industry, labor, government, and the public.

Limited Submissions that have passed the Notice of Intent Deadline, but still have slots available

Cultivating Cultures for Ethical STEM (CCE STEM) https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18532/nsf18532.pdf:  Cultivating Cultures for Ethical STEM (CCE STEM) funds research projects that identify (1) factors that are effective in the formation of ethical STEM researchers and (2) approaches to developing those factors in all the fields of science and engineering that NSF supports. CCE STEM solicits proposals for research that explores the following: ‘What constitutes responsible conduct for research (RCR), and which cultural and institutional contexts promote ethical STEM research and practice and why?' Factors one might consider include: honor codes, professional ethics codes and licensing requirements, an ethic of service and/or service learning, life-long learning requirements, curricula or memberships in organizations (e.g. Engineers without Borders) that stress responsible conduct for research, institutions that serve under-represented groups, institutions where academic and research integrity are cultivated at multiple levels, institutions that cultivate ethics across the curriculum, or programs that promote group work, or do not grade. Do certain labs have a ‘culture of academic integrity'? What practices contribute to the establishment and maintenance of ethical cultures and how can these practices be transferred, extended to, and integrated into other research and learning settings? 1 Successful proposals typically have a comparative dimension, either between or within institutional settings that differ along these or among other factors, and they specify plans for developing interventions that promote the effectiveness of identified factors. CCE STEM research projects will use basic research to produce knowledge about what constitutes or promotes responsible or irresponsible conduct of research, and how to best instill students with this knowledge. In some cases, projects will include the development of interventions to ensure responsible research conduct. Proposals for awards from minority-serving institutions (e.g. Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions), women's colleges, and institutions primarily serving persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. Proposals including international collaborations are encouraged when those efforts enhance the merit of the proposed work by incorporating unique resources, expertise, facilities or sites of international partners. The U.S. team's international counterparts generally should have support or obtain funding through other sources. (The Notice of Intent has passed but there is still 1 slot available.  Contact Janet Webster – jbwebste@vt.edu if interested).  Agency application is due on February 22, 2019.

Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2017/nsf17591/nsf17591.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_179);   NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science) is a comprehensive national initiative designed to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations by focusing on broadening participation in these fields at scale. The vision of NSF INCLUDES is to catalyze the STEM enterprise to collaboratively work for inclusive change, which will result in a STEM workforce that reflects the population of the Nation. The initiative is developing a National Network composed of NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilots, NSF INCLUDES Alliances, an NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, NSF-funded broadening participation projects, other relevant NSF-funded projects, scholars engaged in broadening participation research, and other organizations that support the development of talent from all sectors of society to build an inclusive STEM workforce. The successful implementation of NSF INCLUDES will result in substantial advances toward a diverse, innovative, and well-prepared STEM workforce to support our Nation’s economy and continued U.S. leadership in the global STEM enterprise. It is anticipated that NSF’s investment will contribute to new and improved STEM career pathways, policies, opportunities to learn, and practices for equity and inclusion. The initiative will be supported by the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub (NSF 17-591) that will provide a framework for communication and networking, network assistance and reinforcement, and visibility and expansion for the NSF INCLUDES National Network as a whole. This solicitation offers opportunities for NSF INCLUDES Alliances. (The Notice of Intent has passed but there is still 1 slot available.  Contact Janet Webster – jbwebste@vt.edu if interested).  Agency application is due on April 2, 2019.

Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHS CC) (P30) (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-18-003.html); This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites grant applications for Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers (EHS CC). As intellectual hubs for environmental health research, the EHS CC is expected to be the thought leaders for the field and advance the goals of the NIEHS Strategic Plan (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/strategicplan/). The Core Centers provide critical research infrastructure, shared facilities, services and/or resources, to groups of investigators conducting environmental health sciences research. An EHS CC enables researchers to conduct their independently-funded individual and/or collaborative research projects more efficiently and/or more effectively. The broad overall goal of an EHS CC is to identify and capitalize on emerging issues that advance improving the understanding of the relationships among environmental exposures, human biology, and disease. The EHS CC supports community engagement and translational research as key approaches to improving public health. (The Notice of Intent has passed but there is still 1 slot available.  Contact Janet Webster – jbwebste@vt.edu if interested).  Agency preproposal/notice of intent is due on March 17, 2019.  Agency application is due on April 17, 2019.

Enhancing Science, Technology, EnginEering, and Math Educational Diversity (ESTEEMED) Research Education Experiences (R25) https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-17-221.html; National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) The NIH Research Education Program (R25) supports research education activities in the mission areas of the NIH. The over-arching goal of this National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) R25 program is to support educational activities that enhance the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral and clinical research workforce. To accomplish the stated over-arching goal, this FOA will support creative educational activities with a primary focus on Research Experiences and Mentoring Activities for underrepresented undergraduate freshmen and sophomores in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field, especially those fields which broadly impact bioengineering. The ESTEEMED program is intended to support underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. It will prepare these participants for an Advanced Honors Program, such as a MARC U-STAR (T34) program and institutional program with similar goals, in the junior and senior years and subsequently, to pursue a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree and a biomedical research career in academia or industry. (The Notice of Intent has passed but there is still 1 slot available.  Contact Janet Webster – jbwebste@vt.edu if interested).  Agency preproposal/notice of intent is due on April 24, 2019.  Agency application is due on May 24, 2019.)

Diabetes Research Centers (P30) https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-18-020.html: This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for Diabetes Research Centers that are designed to support and enhance the national research effort in diabetes, its complications, and related endocrine and metabolic diseases. Diabetes Research Centers support two primary research-related activities: Research Core services and a Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) program. All activities pursued by Diabetes Research Centers are designed to enhance the efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, and multidisciplinary nature of research in Diabetes Research Center topic areas. The NIDDK Diabetes Research Centers program in 2018 consists of 16 Centers each located at outstanding research institutions with documented programs of excellence in diabetes-related research. General information about the NIDDK Diabetes Research Centers program may be found at www.diabetescenters.org. (The Notice of Intent has passed but there is still 1 slot available.  Contact Janet Webster – jbwebste@vt.edu if interested).  Agency preproposal/notice of intent is due on May 20, 2019.  Agency application is due on June 20, 2019.)

Calls for Proposals coming up that may be of interest (not limited submission)

Environmental Sustainability:  https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505549

Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF):  https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16609/nsf16609.htm

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science:  https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=305681

Research on Autism Spectrum (R21- Clinical Trial Optional):  https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=299152

Defense Health Program, Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19):  https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/bcrp

ICTAS TOP (Targeted Opportunity for Proposals) Program FY20: 

ICTAS TOP funding is available to transdisciplinary groups of faculty to pursue targeted external research funding opportunities.  These two-year awards are designed to provide support and seed-funding to help build the faculty team and ultimately improve the chances of success for the research proposal. 

Please submit a two-page summary with the following information:

1.         Proposal Title

2.         Detail external funding opportunity (funding agency, program, award amount, due date)

3.         List transdisciplinary team (PI and Co-Is showing home department and college information)

4.         Summary of research objectives and plans

5.         Budget Summary (maximum of two years, $75,000 per year FY 20 and FY 21, provide short summary of anticipated uses for funds, ie, graduate students, post docs, materials, travel, equipment etc)  ICTAS funds should not be used to cover AY or summer salary for T&R faculty.  As a general rule, requested funds should be no more than 10% of the total external funding opportunity.

Due Date: March 1, 2019

Award Date: March 15, 2019

Review Process:  Up to five new awards will be made for FY 20.   A review panel will be convened to evaluated the proposals based on the following criteria:

1.         Probability of successful proposal for external funding

2.         Research plan

3.         Transdisciplinary team strengths

4.         Appropriate budget

5.         Alignment with university DA and SGA research plans

Contact for questions and submit proposals to Dr. Matt Hull, 1-5812, mahull@vt.edu

Proposals Funded:

ONR DURIP Highly Sensitive Coupled Optical and Ultra-High-Frequency Electrical System for Partial Discharge Detection.  Office of Navel Research.  Mona Ghassemi.   June 15, 2019-June 14, 2020

Virginia Tech Post-Baccalaureate Research and Education Program.  NIH, NIGMS.  Edward J. Smith and Luke E. Achenie.  July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2023.

Sugar Feeding in Mosquitoes:  A Neglected Aspect of Their Biology and A Potential Tool for Their Control.  The Eppley Foundation, Inc.  July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019.

Proposals Recently Submitted or Currently Working On:

NIH: 

Enhancing Science, Technology, EnginEering, and Math Educational Diversity (ESTEEMED) Research Education Experiences (R25)

Several RO1’s

Several R21’s

U42

NSF:

Career

Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant

Partnerships for Innovation (PFI)

USDA:

Foundation for Food and Agriculture

USAID:

Feed the Future Innovation Lab on Food Safety

ONR:

Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)

Young Investigator Program

Foundations:

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Beckman Scholars Program

The Eppley Foundation For Research

"Science is all about generating innovative ideas and being able to communicate them effectively, to both the general public and our colleagues. When it comes to writing, I count on VT-FAST's expertise for feedback to ensure that the excitement I put into my science translates into my grant proposal." 

Carla Finkielstein
Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
College of Science 

"I had the chance to work with Janet who read my grant proposal and provided me with awesome comments, feedback, and edits that helped my proposal to be clearer and stronger. As a new research assistant professor, and as it was my first proposal submission, I think that it is essential to get insights on my writing. Janet's expertise was incredibly helpful and beneficial to me. I would not hesitate to ask for VT-FAST's help again in the future!"

Chloé  Lahondère
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

"Having expert scientists-writers looking at my grant applications has been essential for success. I have particularly worked with Janet Webster from VT-FAST for many years. Janet helps with any issues with spelling or grammar, but more importantly, she comments on the clarity of the proposal. In addition, she makes sure that the structure and content of the proposal are aligned with the specification set by the funding agency. Janet also helps with the submission process, which changes regularly. Critical reading of the proposal and help with formatting and submission saves many hours that I can use to develop the research strategy and preliminary data. With Janet's help, I was able to secure funding from NIH and NSF during my pre-tenure years and she was also essential in the renewal of these grants." 

Pablo Sobrado
Professor
Department of Biochemistry
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences