Research Infrastructure Program
Request for Proposals 2008-2009

Purpose:
The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) Research Infrastructure Program is designed to provide support to faculty and research staff from the WSGC universities and colleges seeking to initiate a new research program, and from WSGC industrial affiliates to establish a space-related research program. The awards provide faculty and research staff support for a variety of activities related to developing space science, aerospace, and space-related research infrastructure.

Awards:
Faculty Research Seed Grant and Proposal Writing grants will awarded up to a $5,000* award per year. Second year funding is possible, but a new proposal will need to be submitted that describes the progress made toward achieving the program goals. Other Research Initiative awards to support infrastructure development or collaborations will be made up to $1,000.* Awards will be based on the proposal topic, quality, credentials of the investigator(s), the probability of success in developing space-related research infrastructure, and specific plans on how this seed funding will help to build this research program.

*Based on availability of funds. WSGC will not fund overhead, however, it may be counted as institutional match. A 1:1 match is required.

Requirements:
Faculty and research staff at all WSGC universities and colleges and staff at WSGC industrial affiliates are eligible. Faculty on university/industry teams in all areas of research will be considered; however, research initiatives must focus on NASA-related activities including: earth and atmospheric sciences, astronautics, aeronautics, space sciences, and any other space-related fields (e.g.; agriculture, business, law, medicine, nursing, social and behavioral sciences, and space architecture). The Consortium especially encourages applications from women, minorities and persons with disabilities. For more information on NASA Directorates, see www.uwgb.edu/wsgc/programs/nasagoals.asp.

Awards will be made in the following categories: (1) modest grants for Faculty Research Seed Grants and/or Faculty Proposal Writing; and (2) smaller grants for other types of Research Initiatives such as seminars, workshops, and/or travel to NASA Centers.

Applications:
The Consortium is especially interested in applications emphasizing new lines of space-related research; increasing research capability; building research infrastructure; establishing research collaborations; initiating research opportunities in line with the NASA Mission Directorates; coordinating efforts with other NASA programs like the JOVE Program, Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, Graduate Student Researchers Program, and NASA Office of Equal Opportunity programs; enhance research collaborations, mentorship's, and other opportunities with NASA Centers; establishing collaborations among faculty from liberal arts colleges with faculty from research-intensive doctoral universities, Wisconsin aerospace industries, and NASA Field Centers; and implement research activities linking academic and industrial affiliates, including workshops, seminars, internships, data transfer, and technology transfer.

Applications Information:
Download proposal or obtain additional applications and information from the office of the Associate Director for Research Infrastructure. In addition to a hard copy, please send an electronic version of the proposal as either a Word document or in .pdf format to tom.achtor@ssec.wisc.edu and wsgc@uwgb.edu with the subject line: Research Infrastructure Program 2008-2009.  Submit completed applications with all supporting materials to:

Thomas H. Achtor
Associate Director for Research Infrastructure
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium
Space Science and Engineering Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1225 W. Dayton Street, Room 251
Madison, WI 53706-1280
Phone: 608-263-4206
Fax: 608-262-5974
E-mail: tom.achtor@ssec.wisc.edu

Postmark Deadline:   February 22, 2008

Award Announcements:   April 7, 2008

Award Recipients