The core facility should be open to all UMKC investigators and possibly external partners through use agreements or equivalent mechanisms. This intramural funding initiative is designed to enhance the research competitiveness of UMKC investigators, promote interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple departments and schools, and catalyze projects that will lead to new external grant applications and revenue-generating partnerships. By investing in research core resource development, UMKC aims to empower its researchers to pursue ambitious research questions, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and secure extramural funding to advance its stature as an R1 institution.
Eligibility
All UMKC faculty and staff are eligible to apply. Principal Investigators (PIs) must be UMKC employees (faculty members or research staff) who are authorized to serve as a PI on grants. Collaborative proposals involving multiple faculty/staff as co-investigators from different UMKC units are strongly encouraged, in line with the program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary impact. Each proposal should be submitted by a lead PI who will be responsible for the project’s management and reporting. A faculty cannot be a lead PI on more than one proposal. There is no limit on the number of co-investigators or supporting personnel, but all key personnel must be UMKC affiliated. (Note: Students may participate in the project, but a faculty or staff member must serve as the lead applicant.)
Available Funding
We plan to make one award for up to $300,000 during AY 2024-2025.
Scope of funding
Research instrumentation refers to specialized, shared-use equipment that enhances scientific and engineering research capabilities. It includes state-of-the-art instruments, integrated systems, and necessary software that enable advanced data collection, analysis, and experimentation. Instrumentation acquired through this fund should support multiple investigators and interdisciplinary collaborations through core facilities, positioning UMKC for greater research competitiveness and external funding opportunities.
Core facilities are centralized research hubs that provide access to specialized instrumentation, technical expertise, and services that support a broad range of research activities. These facilities should:
- Be open to all UMKC investigators to maximize research impact and collaboration.
- Potentially allow access to external partners through user agreements or equivalent mechanisms to strengthen UMKC’s research network and attract external funding.
- Operate as sustainable research infrastructure, with plans for maintenance, cost recovery, and long-term viability through user fees and/or institutional support.
Eligible expenses
- Scientific instruments, laboratory or field equipment, computing hardware
- Specialized research devices
- Related software or firmware that is essential for the equipment’s functionality
- Installation and calibration costs
Ineligible expenses
- Salaries, faculty release time, student stipends
- Maintenance cost
- Travel, publication fees, general office computers
- Standard software licenses, routine lab supplies
Submission Guidelines
Cover page
Identify the lead Principal Investigator (PI) along with their contact information, as well as other investigators, including their respective units, schools, and other affiliations involved in establishing the instrumentation.
Project narrative (all sections required)
The narrative should address the following key areas.
1. Research impact statement
- Identify investigators that will initially use the instrumentation. Explain how their research focus areas intersect. Specificity is critical.
- Clearly describe the research programs, units, and centers/institutes that will benefit. Explain how the instrumentation will foster research collaboration.
- Demonstrate prior research and grantsmanship success leading to the need for this instrumentation.
- Explain how the acquired instrumentation will enable the establishment or enhancement of a core facility that is accessible to all UMKC investigators and potentially external partners through potential use agreements or equivalent mechanisms.
- Describe how the core facility will advance interdisciplinary research at UMKC and complement its current research infrastructure. What ambitious research questions will be investigated?
2. Future funding and grantsmanship opportunities
- What external funding programs will be targeted using this instrumentation?
- How will the instrumentation enhance new external revenue streams?
3. Sustainability plan
- How will the equipment be maintained post-acquisition?
- Indicate any planned user fees, cost-sharing models, or service agreements to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Outline operational plans for maintaining the core facility, including any administrative and technical support structures.
4. External partnerships and collaboration
- How will this infrastructure facilitate or strengthen external research partnerships?
- Describe potential collaborations with local/regional organizations and industry.
Appendices
5. Budget justification and timeline (required)
- Detailed budget with justification for each item
- Quote(s) for the acquisition
- Timeline for procurement, delivery, installation, and deployment
- Cost sharing by the units is not required but encouraged
6. Letters of support
- Required - Letter of support from the applicant’s unit Dean
- Strongly encouraged - Letters from internal and external stakeholders (collaborating faculty, unit head(s), external industry, or institutional partners)
Submission Format
Formatting
- 5-page limit for the Project Narrative (excluding budget, references and appendices)
- 11-point font
- 1-inch margins
Questions? Contact Stacy Schaffer.
Evaluations and Review Process
Proposals will be reviewed with input from a peer-review committee comprising of UMKC faculty/staff and partners, and external consultant(s). The final decision for funding will be made by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation.
