1. FAQ: Fringe Benefit Rates, and changes for FY2017
2. News: UNCG joins the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC)
3. NEH Summer Stipends 2016 – limited submission opportunity
4. Sampling of external funding opportunities
Sciences
a. NC Biotech Center
-Biotechnology Innovation Grant (BIG)
-Collaborative Funding Grant (CFG)
-Technology Enhancement Grant (TEG)
b. American Psychological Foundation
c. NIH High-Risk, High-Reward Research program
-Pioneer Award
-New Innovator Award
-Transformative Research Award
-Early Independence Award
d. ACF – Transitional Living Program Special Population Demonstration Project: LGBTQ Runaway and Homeless Youth and Young Adults Who Have Left Foster Care After Age 18
e. Foundation for Child Development
f. NIH/AHRQ – Optimizing Care for People Living with Multiple Chronic Conditions through the Development of Enhanced Care Planning
Arts
g. Action Greensboro Sparkfund
h. Arts-Based Approaches in Palliative Care for Symptom Management (R01)
Humanities
i. 2016-2017 Fulbright Scholar Program Competition
j. Fulbright Scholar Global Flex Award
k. NEH – Dialogues on the Experience of War
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1. FAQ: Fringe Benefit Rates, and changes for FY2017
Fringe benefits include the cost of the University and State retirement programs, health insurance, group life insurance, social security, disability insurance, workmen’s compensation, and unemployment compensation.
- Fringe benefits are a direct cost to a sponsored project, are clearly related to the salaries and wages to be paid, and are shown as a separate entry in the budget. Fringe benefit costs have been calculated based on historical data. The actual costs for fringe benefits are charged (billed) to the sponsored project at the time the costs are incurred. The amount charged is based on salary, selected benefit package, and other variables applicable to the individual employee.
- UNCG’s fringe benefit rates are reviewed on an annual basis and adjustments to the rate will be made based on the claims incurred in past fiscal years.
- Changes for FY2017 are shown below in Bold Grey Highlight
| Fringe Benefit | FY 17 Rate |
| EPA Faculty/Staff (>0.75 FTE) Composite Fringe | 33% |
| SPA Faculty/Staff (>0.75 FTE) Composite Fringe | 37% |
| Students (enrolled/academic year) | 0.4% |
| Students (non-enrolled/summer) and Temporary Employees | 8.05% (0.4% + FICA) |
The above composite fringe rates should be considered the default unless a sponsor specifically requests a breakdown of the fringe benefits calculation. In those cases, the following breakdown applies:
| Fringe Benefit Breakdown | FY 17 Rate |
| FICA | 7.65% |
| Optional Retirement | 12.85% |
| State Retirement | 15.32% |
| Health Insurance | $5,564 (flat rate charge, not %) |
| EPA & SPA Fringe Reserve | 2.5% |
| Students and Temporary Employees | 0.4% |
| Temp/Student (non-enrolled) | 8.05% (0.4% + FICA) |
———————-2. News: UNCG joins the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC)
In partnership with the US Department of Defense, the MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC) supports and stimulates Science and Technology (S&T) related research at Minority Serving Institutions for real-world applications to real-world problems to maintain and enhance the technological dominance of the United States in a competitive world.
The Consortium members include minority serving institutions, including historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities and other minority serving institutions as defined by the US Department of Education.
The objectives of MSRDC include the following:
- Enhance the research and educational capabilities of HBCUs/MSIs in areas of importance to national defense.
- Encourage HBCUs/MSI participation in research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) programs and activities.
- Increase the number of graduates from HBCUs/MSIs engaged in disciplines important to national security.
- Encourage research and educational collaborations between HBCUs/MSIs and other institutions of higher education, government defense organizations, and the defense industry.
- Provide a unified voice to effectively articulate the strategically important role of HBCUs/MSIs in STEM initiatives.
- Effectively develop critical technology that can be transitioned to weapons systems and commercial applications.
- Maximize the collaborative capabilities of the government and HBCUs/MSIs.?
- Improve research facilities of the HBCUs/MSIs.
To help accomplish these objectives, the MSRDC conducts numerous development activities to market the consortium and identify available funding streams.
The MSRDC website provides additional information about the consortium, and a listing of open calls:
Examples of open calls for white papers through the MSRDC include:
- Models for use in Predictive Toxicology Evaluating Organophosphate Compounds
- Science of Chemical and Biological Protection
- Science of Chemical and Biological Sensing
- Smoke and Obscuration Science
- Offensive Information Operations (OIO)
- Command and Control Protect, Network Vulnerability, C4ISR Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analyses
Please contact Aubrey Turner, Valera Francis, or Terri Shelton with any questions. Please indicate if you are interested in meeting to discuss how your research might fit with MSRDC priorities.
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3. NEH Summer Stipends 2016 – limited submission opportunity
The National Endowment for the Humanities has established a deadline of September 29, 2016 at 5:00PM for Summer Stipend applications for funding in Summer of 2017. Additional details are available from the NEH at: http://www.neh.
The internal deadline for UNCG applications will be Friday, August 5th, at 5:00PM. By this internal deadline, interested PI’s must email the following materials to Aubrey Turner at aubrey.turner@uncg.edu
- Narrative not to exceed three single-spaced pages
- Bibliography in one single spaced page
- Vita not to exceed two single spaced pages.
- You may also submit a one page appendix for Editions, Translations, or Database Projects, or for Proposals that Include Visual Materials.
This internal deadline provides time for a panel of five UNCG faculty to review the proposals and select up to two proposals that will represent UNCG in this prestigious competition. Additional details are contained in the attached PDF flyer.
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4. Sampling of external funding opportunities
Sciences
a. NC Biotech Center – Visit www.ncbiotech.org/
Biotechnology Innovation Grant (BIG) – Cycle 1 – Deadline Noon, Wednesday, July 13, 2016
The Biotechnology Innovation Grant (BIG) targets university technologies at the invention disclosure stage, funding studies that provide go/no-go decisions for future development. The project team must include an academic scientist and a commercial development adviser. Visit the BIG webpage for more information at www.ncbiotech.org/big.
Collaborative Funding Grant (CFG) – Cycle 1 – Deadline Noon, Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Co-sponsored by the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science, the CFG program supports university-company partnerships. Funds support a post-doc or technician in a university laboratory who will conduct research on a project of interest to the company. More information is available at www.ncbiotech.org/cfg.
Technology Enhancement Grant (TEG) – Cycle 1 – Deadline Noon, Wednesday, August 17, 2016
TEG awards of up to $75,000 fund research studies that will directly enhance the university’s licensing position for commercially promising inventions. Proposals are submitted through the university technology transfer office. Specific requirements apply. See the guidelines at www.ncbiotech.org/teg for details.
b. American Psychological Foundation
APF is seeking to seed innovation through supporting projects and programs that use psychology to solve social problems. APF grants align with our mission of enhancing psychology to elevate the human condition and advance human potential. We offer grants for early career funding and seed grants for research and for targeted programs.
c. NIH High-Risk, High-Reward Research program
The High-Risk, High-Reward Research program has four unique funding opportunities for exceptionally creative scientists who propose highly innovative approaches to major challenges in biomedical research:
-Pioneer Award
-New Innovator
Award
-Transformative
Research Award
-Early Independence
Award
d. The Administration for Children and Families – Transitional Living Program Special Population Demonstration Project: LGBTQ Runaway and Homeless Youth and Young Adults Who Have Left Foster Care After Age 18
The Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF), Administration on Children, Youth and Families’ (ACYF), Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) announces a 24 month demonstration project period to implement, enhance, and/or support a framework or model to promote the effective transition from homeless youth to self-sufficient young adults. The target populations are LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 16 to 21 and young adults who have left foster care after the age of 18 up to age 21, but may need alternative housing and services. Based on an assessment of community needs, prospective applicants may choose which population to serve or serve both.
Due August 1, 2016
HHS-2016-ACF-ACYF-LG-1185
e. Foundation for Child Development
The Foundation for Child Development, through its work in Prek-3rd Education, supports the restructuring of PreKindergarten through Third Grade into a well-aligned first level of public education for children (ages three to eight) in the United States. FCD supports research, policy development, advocacy, and communications strategies related to FCD’s work in PreK-3rd Education.
The FCD’s New American Children grants focus on stimulating basic and applied research on children (birth through age ten) living in low-income immigrant families.
The FCD awards an average of 14 grants each year. Please see our complete listing of grants for details about specific grant-funded projects.
f. NIH/AHRQ – Optimizing Care for People Living with Multiple Chronic Conditions through the Development of Enhanced Care Planning
More than one in four Americans, and two out of three older Americans, are estimated to have at least two chronic physical or behavioral health problems. Treatment for people living with these multiple chronic conditions (MCC) currently accounts for an estimated 66% of the Nation’s health care costs. As the U.S. population ages, and as chronic conditions accumulate in the lives of younger Americans, the number of patients with MCC continues to grow. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has a long-standing interest in increasing our understanding of how to optimize care for people living with multiple chronic conditions.
AHRQ has a multi-year plan to study and implement new approaches for caring for patients with MCC. These approaches aim to promote health and function, reduce the burden of illness, minimize the burden of treatment on patients and caregivers, and support patient goals. One such approach is to help patient care teams develop and use more effective care plans. Effective care planning requires a partnership between health professionals and patients, and must incorporate information about patients’ circumstances and life contexts so that choices about care can be prioritized to meet the needs, values and preferences of the patient. This contextual information could include patient characteristics such as health literacy level and language preferences, access to transportation, gender, socioeconomic status, other demands on the patient’s time and energy, amount of practical assistance at home, and preference for decision-making authority, as well as community characteristics and resources (See Bayliss et. al. 2014 http://www.annfammed.org/
AHRQ will use standing program announcements for the R01, R03, and R18 funding mechanisms to support this research. The funding opportunity announcements for the referenced funding mechanisms can be found at:
Applicants should clearly state in their cover letter, Project Summary (abstract), and the Specific Aims sections of the grant application that they are responding to this Notice. Applications responsive to this SEN should be submitted on regular research grant receipt dates and will be reviewed by AHRQ’s standing study sections.
Arts
g. Action Greensboro Sparkfund
Action Greensboro is pioneering a new method of community development by way of a micro-grant program, titled Spark Fund! The fund aims to support unexpected, fun and exciting projects in downtown Greensboro with an effort to create buzz and community involvement.
Recognizing that big ideas do not need a lot of money to get off the ground, Action Greensboro will make quarterly grants to individuals, businesses or non-profits looking to launch new projects that will improve downtown and make it a better place to live, work and play.
Proposed projects must be consistent with Action Greensboro’s mission and projects must demonstrate the potential for long term impact on Downtown Greensboro. Grants may not exceed $5,000.
h. Arts-Based Approaches in Palliative Care for Symptom Management (R01)
The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support mechanistic clinical studies aimed at understanding the impact of arts-based approaches in palliative care for symptom management. This FOA is intended to support mechanistic clinical studies to provide an evidence base for the use of the arts in palliative care for symptom management. The objective is to understand the biological, physiological, neurological, psychological, and/or sociological mechanisms by which the arts exert their effects on symptom management during and throughout the palliative care continuum. The goal is for the research supported under this FOA to develop an evidence-base that could be used as a basis for the uptake of arts-based therapies in palliative care settings, among individuals across the lifespan, with a wide variety of serious chronic conditions and their accompanying symptoms. This FOA is not intended to determine efficacy or the comparative effectiveness of interventions, or to assess interventions designed to treat the underlying cause of a particular disease state.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH formerly NCCAM)
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)
Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH)
Application Due Date(s): standard NIH R15 due dates (February 25/June 25/October 25)
Humanities
i. 2016-2017 Fulbright Scholar Program Competition
The core competition for 2016-2017 academic year grants is currently open. With the exception of the seminar offerings, the deadline for all awards is 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday, August 1, 2015.
Full details: http://catalog.cies.
j. Fulbright Scholar Global Flex Award
The new Global Flex Award provides U.S. academics and professionals with the flexibility to engage in advanced regional or trans-regional research and/or teaching. As a truly worldwide award, U.S. scholars will be able to collaborate and engage in scholarly activities in two or three countries, in one or more regions.Projects are welcome in all disciplines, as well as those with an interdisciplinary focus. Proposals should reflect topics which would benefit from a global perspective and clearly demonstrate a need to spend time in each of the proposed countries.
Minimum length of the total grant is three months and the maximum is six months. Grants can begin as early as February 1, 2016 and segments may be conducted within one academic year or spread over two or three consecutive years.
Deadline to apply: Monday, August 1, 2015
For more information visit: http://www.cies.org/
k. NEH – Dialogues on the Experience of War
As a part of its current initiative, Standing Together: The Humanities and the Experience of War, the National Endowment for the Humanities offers a new grant opportunity: the Dialogues on the Experience of War program. The program supports the study and discussion of important humanities sources about war, in the belief that these sources can help U.S. military veterans and others to think more deeply about the issues raised by war and military service. The humanities sources can be drawn from history, philosophy, literature, and film—and they may and should be supplemented by testimonials from those who have served. The discussions are intended to promote serious exploration of important questions about the nature of duty, heroism, suffering, loyalty, and patriotism.
The program awards grants of up to $100,000 that will support
1. the recruitment and training of discussion leaders; and
2. following the training program, the convening of at least two discussion programs.
The discussion groups can take place on college and university campuses, in veterans’ centers, at public libraries and museums, and at other community venues. Most of the participants in the discussion groups should be military veterans; others, such as men and women in active service, military families, and interested members of the public, may participate as well.
Receipt Deadline November 2, 2016 for Projects Beginning May 2017
NOTE: If interested in applying, consider partnering with the UNCG Veteran Resource Center: http://veterans.uncg.