Agreements

SPRINT 3rd Edition 2015 - Guideline: Vanderbilt University

SPRINT – 3rd Edition 2015 – www.fapesp.br/en/9592
(Item 2.1.1. – “i”.)

Specific requests for submission of proposals in partnership with researchers from Vanderbilt University

FAPESP and Vanderbilt University signed a Cooperation Agreement for Research on the 23th April 2014, aiming to implement scientific and technological cooperation between researchers from Vanderbilt University and from the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, through the funding of joint research projects.

Under the referred Agreement, as a first action to promote such collaboration, FAPESP and Vanderbilt University had a first joint call in 2014. This collaboration between FAPESP and Vanderbilt University has provided fruitful opportunities to researchers in São Paulo, Brazil and their colleagues in the USA.

Eager to continue this collaboration, FAPESP and Vanderbilt University announce this second Call for Proposals for the exchange of researchers, under the terms and conditions of the FAPESP SPRINT 3rd Edition 2015 (www.fapesp.br/en/9592) and hereinafter set forth.

1. Eligibility from Vanderbilt University:

1.1 Eligibility to submit proposals within the scope of this Call:

a. Full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty members in University Central (College of Arts and Science, School of Engineering, Peabody College of Education and Human Development, Owen School of Management, Divinity School, Law School, and Blair School of Music) are eligible to submit proposals as principal investigator.

b. Proposals may involve investigators from the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, but the principal investigator must be based in University Central.

c. Proposals that include support for activities involving graduate students are encouraged.

d. Vanderbilt will only accept one application per related ongoing research project. Likewise, each researcher can present only one proposal to this Call.

e. Financial need will be considered in making awards. Each participating faculty member from Vanderbilt University must disclose both active external funding and institutional resources available to the individual. All institutional research-support funds must be disclosed, including start-up funds, endowed-chair funds, annual allocations, fixed-price contract surpluses, and other such sources.

1.2 Eligibility for the exchange activities within the scope of this Call:

a. Team members of the related research awards are eligible when previously defined in the ongoing process as:

(i) Principal or Co-Principal Investigators;

(ii) Named investigators on the proposal, including postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.

1.3 The proposals must aim to respect the principle of reciprocity with regard to academic qualifications of those who will take part in the exchange activities.

1.4 Eligibility of research partners in the State of São Paulo should observe the items 3.1 and 7.1 of FAPESP call ( en/9592).

2. Fields of knowledge

This Call for Proposals invites research proposals in all fields.

3. Duration of the project for the exchange of researchers

The maximum duration of each project is 24 months, non-extendable.

4. Timeline

Call announced by FAPESP and Vanderbilt University*

July 29, 2015

Closing date for submission of proposals

October 26, 2015

Successful proposals notified

January 2, 2016

*The announcement at Vanderbilt may be delayed to correspond to the beginning of the academic year.

5. Funding principles

5.1 FAPESP will provide funding of up to $10,000 USD per proposal and Vanderbilt University will provide funding of up to $10,000 USD per proposal, for supporting up to two (2) approved proposals and for the duration of the grant to cover research-related mobility expenses (air tickets and living allowances), under the provisions of Clause 5 of the Scientific Cooperation Agreement established by the Parties (www.fapesp.br/en/8571).

6. Proposal Characteristics

6.1 The proposal shall be composed of:

a. A Research Project having a maximum of five (5) pages of scientific content, written jointly by the Principal Investigator of the Host Institution in the State of São Paulo and the Principal Investigator at the Vanderbilt University. The Research Project must be written in English. One copy of the Research Project shall be sent to FAPESP and another (identical) copy to the Vanderbilt University.

b. Submission forms and additional documents:

(i) Research partners in the State of São Paulo should observe the item 6.2 of FAPESP call (www.fapesp.br/en/9592)

(ii) Applicants from Vanderbilt University must submit the documents required in the item 6.3 below.

6.2 The Research Project must include the following:

a. A substantive description of the exchange activities, emphasizing their relevance.

b. A timeline for each specific exchange mission, considering the limit of missions and funding established in this Call;

c. Performance indicators for the planned activities;

d. A description of each candidate’s contribution to the mission, explaining their expertise to carry out the foreseen activities;

e. Foreseen actions that will add to the impact of the exchange for the Vanderbilt University and for the Host Institution in the State of São Paulo, e.g. by means of seminars, short courses and visits to other institutions that carry out research activities in cognate areas.

6.3. In addition to the above referred research project, the proposal for the Vanderbilt University must include the following items:

a. A description of the strong potential for sustainability of the project. Evidence of sustainability might include (but is not limited to) the existence or likelihood of external funding, other sources of institutional funding, and participation by multiple researchers at the participating institutions.

b. Written endorsements of the project from the dean of the Vanderbilt PI’s school and an appropriate university official (e.g., dean) of the partner institution in the State of São Paulo. Vanderbilt investigators must obtain endorsements from their dean prior to submitting the proposal.

c. Each faculty investigator at Vanderbilt must disclose existing external funding and all sources of institutional research-support funds, including start-up funds, endowed-chair funds, annual allocations, fixed-price contract surpluses, and other such sources. Please note any restrictions or obligations on the use of such funds. It is expected that investigators will contribute their own resources to the project if such resources are available.

d. Letter of Agreement with the Host Institution in the State of São Paulo to which the PI from São Paulo is affiliated. The Letter of Agreement can be delivered after the notification of results. The same document is required by FAPESP in item 6.2.3 at www.fapesp.br/en/9592.

7. Submission of proposals to Vanderbilt University

Submissions to Vanderbilt must be submitted addressed with “Vanderbilt/FAPESP Call” to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and International Affairs by email as a single pdf document to vpria@vanderbilt.edu or by hand delivery to 105 Kirkland Hall, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240 by 5:00 PM (Central Time) of the date of the deadline.

8. Result of the analysis

Final results will be announced on FAPESP (www.fapesp.br) and Vanderbilt University (www.vanderbilt.edu/international/funding/index.php)web portals and by means of a communication to the interested PIs.

9. Grant cancellation

FAPESP or Vanderbilt University may cancel funding if, during the grant timeframe, a fact is of sufficient gravity to justify cancellation, without prejudice of any other appropriate actions.

10. Information about this Call at Vanderbilt University

All questions from Vanderbilt University researchers related to this Call for Proposals must be directed to:

Elizabeth Rapisarda
Assistant Provost, Research & Graduate Education
Vanderbilt University
Nashville TN 37240
E-Mail: elizabeth.rapisarda@Vanderbilt.Edu

 


Page updated on 10/05/2015 - Published on 07/28/2015