Program Description

Overview

The VP-NSF Cohort Program (henceforth, “Cohort”) is a university-wide resource that provides up to 20 faculty with NSF-specific mentoring, skill development, and support. Faculty selected to participate in the one-year program will craft an entire NSF proposal with the objective of submitting the following year (and/or next cycle). The program is designed for both new faculty and those who are new to pursuing NSF funding.

The Cohort program will build a strong foundation for NSF-engaged faculty, providing Cohort members with critical feedback, resources, and grant-writing/development skills specific to NSF criteria and expectations. Cohort is the first in a series of grant writing resources that will be developed by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) to target major federal funders including the NEH, NEA, DOD, DOE, etc. Cohort will work to foster a sense of belonging for faculty engaging in federally funded research and encourage consistent and long-term interdisciplinary collaboration.

Outcomes

Faculty who complete the Cohort program will finish with a complete NSF grant proposal that is ready for submission. Other potential benefit to participating faculty include:

• Specific skills/feedback required to pursue and obtain future NSF funding
• Increased interdisciplinary connections with peers
• A transferrable research summary designed to kickstart proposals for other grant opportunities (within and outside of the NSF)
• Enhanced grant-writing skills and confidence
• Development of faculty mentorship skills

Cohort Structure

Cohort will represent faculty from across the University of Utah. Cohort applications will be assessed based on scientific potential, fit with NSF funding priorities. To facilitate cross-campus intellectual engagement, Cohort typically limits participation from each College to 3 faculty members per cycle. More than 3 faculty members from a specific college may be invited to participate in a cohort, contingent on availability of cohort seats and college's ability to contribute an equal number of mentors.

Eligibility Requirements

The Cohort program is open to all University of Utah faculty who have not received NSF funding as the principal investigator.  All tenure track and career line faculty are eligible, regardless of rank. Faculty who have served as CO-I, senior personnel, etc. on NSF Grants are still eligible for program. Faculty are eligible to apply to the program once they have signed a formal contract of employment with the university. This allows incoming faculty to apply for the program for their first year of employment. Faculty are required to complete the REd NSF Foundation Course before beginning Cohort and are strongly encouraged to complete the course prior to applying for Cohort. The REd NSF Foundation Course is an asynchronous online educational module.

Timeline of Events

The Cohort begins in late August with an introductory social dinner and ends in late April. Beginning in September, each month of the program has the following schedule:

Week 1: Asynchronous training where faculty learn to write a section of an NSF grant.
Week 2: 2-hour cohort meeting led by VP-NSF Program Director.
Week 3: Week to work on writing/revising
Week 4: 2-hour cohort meeting led by VP-NSF Program Director.

After the introductory social dinner, the Cohort will meet six times in the Fall (September, October, November) and six times in the Spring (February, March, April). Thus, the entire program consists of one introductory dinner, twelve cohort gatherings, and six asynchronous training sessions.

Note: There will be no Cohort activity in December or January. 

Required Application Materials

Part 1: Applicant Information

Applicants will provide background and contact information in the InfoReady portal.

Part 2: Application Form

Applicants will be asked to respond to the following questions in approximately 1-2 paragraphs (no more than 400-600 words, depending on the question).

1. Please list up to 10 keywords that help identify key objectives, disciplines, research types, etc. that effectively communicate your primary research interests. These keywords help us to identify your research in the university database when we are seeking applications for other opportunities. Example: DEI, global, air quality, interview research.
2. Have you previously applied for NSF funding? If yes, please identify the opportunity you applied to and a brief description of your experience.
3. Please select the NSF Directorate your research field/idea is the best fit for.

• • Biological Sciences (BIO)
  • Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
  • Engineering (ENG)
  • Geosciences (GEO)
  • Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)
  • Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
  • Education and Human Resources (HER)
  • Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)

4. Please list all/any NSF funding opportunities you have identified as a potential fit for your research idea.
5. Please identify your primary research questions.
6. Please identify the methodological approach you will utilize to address each question.
7. How would your project achieve broad societal goals and/or transform frontiers of knowledge?
8. What do you hope to get out of the VP-NSF Cohort Program, if selected?
9. Anything else you’d like to share with review and selection team?

Part 3: CV

Applicants will be required to upload their current, full CV.

Submit an Application

Applications for Cohort are due by 11:59pm on Monday, April 15th, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicant must apply via InfoReady to be considered.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION