1. Information Session October 13, 2016
2016/2017 PSIEE Seed Grant
Information Session October 13, 2016

2. PSIEE themes
Please Note: Proposals in the Health and Environment theme will not be accepted in this call for proposals.
Proposals covering that theme will be deferred to a separate multi-institute seed grant competition covering Health and Environment which will be announced later this fall

3. 2016/2017 Seed grant priority topics
Water Energy Nexus
Climate Change
Future of the Electric Grid

4. Preferred activities for funding
Development of new interdisciplinary research teams to position them for substantial external funding success
Novel and collaborative research in theme areas, especially high-risk proof of concept projects
New collaborations between junior and senior faculty for research development and mentorship

5. Goals of the Seed Grant
Foster basic and applied research focused on strategic themes
Seed grants are intended to foster:
Development of new research teams to position them for substantial external funding success
Collaborative interdisciplinary research in theme areas, especially high-risk proof of concept
New collaborations between junior and senior faculty for research development and mentorship
Particular consideration given to proposals addressing priorities of:
Water Energy Nexus
Climate Change
Future of the Electric Grid

6. Seed Grant eligibility
All faculty members holding an appointment of half-time or more
Tenured
Tenure track
Fixed Term
New investigators will be given preference

7. Funding availability
Approximately $300,000 is available through this solicitation
Funding levels
$25,000 – innovative partnerships of investigators from multiple colleges and/or campuses
$10,000 -two or more faculty from the same college (University Park) or Commonwealth Campus
$5,000 – single investigator proposals
Award period: April 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018

8. Allowable expenses Graduate and undergraduate student support
Instrumentation fees and sample analysis to collect preliminary data
Equipment, supplies, and/or participant payments
Travel associated with the conduct or reporting of seed grant research
Hosting a research planning meeting for an interdisciplinary team
Planning and hosting conferences and symposia
Funding for data conversion technology and wages to support data conversion

9. Unallowable expenses Summer or supplemental salary support for faculty
Postdoc salary
Travel support to attend conferences
**Please note: single college funding, even with several departments, is not allowed at the $25,000 level.

10. Key dates Nov. 2, 2016: Pre-proposals due no later than 5:00 pm
Dec. 2, 2016: PIs notified of pre-proposal results; full proposals requested
Jan. 25, 2017: Full proposals due no later than 5:00 pm
Beginning of March 2017: Seed Grant funding decisions announced
Grant funds will be available by April 1, 2017 to be expended by June 30, 2018
Sept 30, 2018: Final report due

11. PSIEE 2015/2016 Seed Grant Evaluations - PRE-PROPOSAL
Review criteria
PSIEE 2015/2016 Seed Grant Evaluations - PRE-PROPOSAL
Relevance to strategic priorities
Creativity and Innovation
Significance of Goals and Results
Soundness of Research Plan
Evidence of new or expanding collaborations
Multi-investigator proposals
3 Highly relevant
3 Highly creative and innovative
2 Highly significant; could revolutionize the field
2 Well thought out and detailed research plan
5 Includes Senior and Junior faculty mentorship opportunity with collaborations across 2 or more colleges or campuses
2 Moderately relevant
2 Moderately innovative
1 Positive and incremental advance
1 Research plan included, but more detail needed
3 Complementary interdisciplinary team across 2 or more colleges or campuses
1 Slightly relevant
1 Sound but standard approach
0 Some but limited potential for impact
0 Limited research plan
0 Team members have similar expertise and from same college/campus
0 Not relevant
0 Approach seems like unlikely to work
Summary Evaluation: “Request Full Proposal” or “Do not pursue this year”

12. Questions regarding the program should be submitted to: psiee@psu.edu
Contact information
Questions regarding the program should be submitted to:
More information and the full RFP can be found at