SEANET Mini Grant Guidelines
Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network
Research Mini Grant Guidelines
Background: The SEANET program invites proposals for research mini grants that will result in research projects that complement the research portfolio of the SEANET research program and contribute to the performance metrics of the SEANET/EPSCoR program and the National Science Foundation. Priority will be given to projects that address gaps in the current research activities as compared to the research strategic plan. Applicants should discuss their idea with the SEANET Research Coordinator, Meggan Dwyer.
- Available funds: The Maine EPSCoR Office anticipates funding for four Research Projects in 2016 and two per year in subsequent years at a level of $12,000 each.
- Allowable Costs: Funds may be used for materials & supplies, in-state and domestic travel, and institutional indirect costs. Costs NOT allowed under this program include: PI salary, capital equipment (>$5000), International Travel. Students: SEANET also has limited resources to support undergraduate students from Maine institutions to work on these research projects. Applicants should discuss their needs and this opportunity with SEANET staff to explore whether a student intern can be assigned to the project.
- Eligible Parties: Any private or public scientific and/or educational institution in the State of Maine including government and non-governmental organizations. Aquaculture industry members interested in this opportunity should reach out to the research community to identify a partner in developing their proposal.
- Data Management Expectations: All SEANET-funded data will be housed in a common repository at the University of Maine and will be shared in a timely manner with SEANET and the public. Investigators are expected to provide a Data Management Plan that will articulate a process for data sharing and data management. It is understood that some scientific investigations may result in primary data that must first be utilized by the investigators prior to sharing with the greater science community and the public. The Data Management Plan must provide this level of detail and justification. Assistance with this plan is available through the Advanced Computing Group at University of Maine through Ami Gaspar.
- Reporting: Results of the research project will be reported to the SEANET Office within 30 days of completion of the project using a template provided by SEANET. Investigators may be asked to provide input for and/or participate in periodic internal and external program reviews and annual reporting efforts.
- Review Criteria:
- Project relevance to filling unmet needs in the SEANET Strategic Plan and research themes – 20%
- Intellectual merit – 20%
- Project inclusion of multiple interdisciplinary SEANET research themes – 15%
- Collaboration with institutions and/or investigators outside the SEANET research community? – 15%
- Investigator qualifications – 10%
- Efficiency and feasibility of the budget justification – 10%
- Leverage of outside resources – 10%