Fast Track Faculty Research Grants (FT-FRG)

Overview

Awards: Up to $6,000

Submission Deadlines: Rolling

The intent of the fast track faculty to research grant program is to enable members of the Lehigh faculty to take advantage of a time-limited opportunity to advance their research programs.

Applicants must make a compelling case for funding under the fast track program. Typically, this will involve a timelimited need or opportunity that will have passed prior to the expected funding of regular FRG grants. Applications suitable for the regular once-per-semester FRG program will not be considered.   In addition to the clear need for a rapid funding decision, award criteria for this program include the same criteria used for the regular FRG program. As for the regular FRG program, priority will be given to those proposals that are likely to enable development of a new research focus, expand applicants’ research programs beyond their current scope, or enable ongoing programs to have expanded impact. The program does not support curriculum development or work that is part of a scheduled course. The program cannot be used to supplant funding from an existing source such as an external grant, gift or endowment. 

Award

Award

Grants will be limited to a maximum $6,000.  

Eligibility

All tenure track or tenured faculty, as well as Research Assistant/Associate Professors who have received fewer than three FRG awards in the previous five academic years are eligible to apply. For an application to be considered, applicants must have completed all required reports for past awards under all Lehigh internal grant programs.

Allowable Costs

The FRG award is an investment in faculty research and its broad impact. Awards may be used for a wide range of research expenses provided that a clear case is made that the expenses are essential to the project. Grant funds may be used for:

• Purchase of research materials including books unavailable through the library system
• Access to off-campus research materials
• Lab supplies
• Travel necessary to perform research
• Manuscript preparation
• Necessary publication costs, costs of performing research and effectively disseminating outcomes. 
• Travel to disseminate outcomes may be supported, but will be given lower priority. 

All expenditures must be in compliance with Lehigh’s Travel and Business Expense Policy. 

Non-allowable Costs

• Faculty salaries
• Purchase of general-purpose equipment and computers
• Visiting faculty
• Course development
• Purchase of reprints
• Reimbursement of costs incurred prior to submission of the application.

This list provides some examples, and is not exhaustive.  If you have any questions about allowable/unallowable expenses, please contact our office.  You may also consult the Travel and Business Expense Policy for further information.

How to Apply

A Fast Track FRG application may be submitted at any time, except the weeks close to a regular FRG grant deadline - specifically, four weeks before and one week after the deadline.

Application Details:

Submit your application through Lehigh’s InfoReady portal.  InfoReady will prompt you for the following summary details: 

1. Descriptive project title - suitable for publication on our public web site.
2. Name, Department, Position Title of each participating faculty member. 
   1. One faculty member must be the main correspondent and will be responsible for all deliverables and management of the budget. 
   2. All co-PIs must provide approval of the proposal submission
3. Budget requested
4. IRB/IACUC status - refer to our Research Integrity site for requirements.
5. Abstract:  
   1. Three to five sentences giving a clear and concise description of the project’s objectives, proposed methodology and anticipated results in layperson’s terms. 
   2. Include start and end dates for the project. Unless approved by our office, the end date should be no later than twelve months from the proposed start date.

Body of Proposal:

In the proposal upload section, the following must be uploaded to the online system as a single pdf. Page margins must be at least one inch. Exclusive of any figures, text must be 11-point or larger:

1) Narrati​ve: 

Provide two or three pages (not including references) briefly describing the proposed work:

• The narrative should include the project’s objectives, proposed methodology and anticipated results as well as a clear explanation of why the funding is needed outside of the regular FRG cycle.
• It should provide a clear statement as to how FRG funding will allow you to take your research beyond where it could have gone with existing resources and what opportunities this may present for you as well as Lehigh.

2) Budget:  

• Provide an itemized budget including amounts in categories including personnel, materials and supplies, travel, etc. 
• Provide sufficient detail for reviewers to understand how the budget items support the completion of the project. 
• For personnel, you must provide pay rates such as hourly rate, per-page rate for editing or indexing, etc. 
• The budget must be appropriate to the specific needs of the research project.

3) Recent Grant Fun​ding: 

• A listing of all internal Lehigh grants and external grants completed within the past two years, currently active, and currently pending. 
• In any case in which a non-specialist might perceive the FRG application to support work already funded by the completed, pending or current grant, provide a brief explanation of how the work and its goals are different. 

3) Need for Fast-Track Funding: 

• Specifically describe the need for a rapid funding decision, such as an immediate need or externally imposed deadline whereby an opportunity would be lost if applying through the normal semester FRG cycle.
• Provide a timeline for use of grant funds consistent with the need. 

Please keep in mind that your proposal will be reviewed by a faculty committee with members who may not be familiar with your specific area of study. Therefore, it is important that technical terminology be kept to a minimum and that the project be described in a manner that can be readily appreciated by non-specialists. In addition to providing reviewers with appreciation of the potential of the project, it should enable them to understand the necessity of each budget item to the completion of the work.  

Review Process & Evaluation Criteria

Lehigh’s Internal Review Committee (IRC) will review proposals. IRC members are selected for their experience and representation of the scope of research endeavors at Lehigh. Awards will be made by the VP for Research based on the recommendations of the review panel. 

The principal criterion considered by the review committee of a proposal is its relevance to Lehigh University’s commitment to excellent scholarship, research, and creative work. Applications will also be evaluated according to the following criteria, the first being specific to the Fast Track program and the remainder being applicable to all FRG grants. To be funded under the Fast Track program, it must be clear per the review of the application that it would have been funded in a regular FRG cycle. 

• Need for immediate funding. Is there pressing reason for support outside of the regular semester funding cycle? How significant is the opportunity?
• Potential impact of the proposed project. Will the grant support outstanding scholarly work that would not otherwise be possible? Will it enhance the breadth of impact of the work, e.g., through dissemination, access by broad audiences or translation to practice? Will it aid the faculty members(s) in sustaining or growing their research programs? Will it help the faculty member overcome barriers related to biases or injustice in how different subject matter is valued?
• Likelihood of success, based upon the qualifications and past accomplishments of the applicants and their presentation of a sound plan for use of and FRG award.
• Budget and personnel. Is the budget appropriate for the proposed work? If a team project, is every member making a substantive contribution?

Expenditures and Grant Management

If awarded, an individual research account will be established.  The PI will be responsible for assuring that the funds are spent: 

• in pursuit of the objectives described in the application.
• in accordance with the proposal budget.  
• in accordance with Lehigh’s hiring practices and business expense policy. 

Absent justification for no-cost extension, funds remaining at the end of the 12-month award period will revert to our office to support future research projects.  

Reporting Requirements

A brief report on outcomes of the project is due to the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies one month after the end of the grant period, using a form to be provided by our office.  

Award History

View list of previous awardees here

Contact Information

Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to VPResearch@lehigh.edu.