In This Issue...

Upcoming webinar for proposal graphics & research visualizations 

Jessica Brassard, graphic artist for the OVPR Research Development & Proposal Services team, will present a webinar focused on proposal graphics and research visualization on Wednesday, October 12, noon – 1 pm. 

Proposal development often focuses on whether a proposal’s written content is clear and compelling to a reviewer. In addition to the research plan, a proposal team must produce all the required compliance documents. The visual aspects of proposals (figures, tables, charts and document design) can be added at any time during the process, but are not always afforded the space and time needed to create a usable, accessible document.

During this one-hour webinar, OVPR's lead graphics designer will outline best practices for using design principles to guide investigators to create better visuals focused on enhancing a proposal’s overall narrative.

Register here to receive the zoom link.

Large-scale planning proposals due November 1 

OVPR's Research Catalyst & Innovation (RCI) program is seeking applications for Large-Scale Planning Grants, which provides up to $100K for teams preparing proposals for large-scale (>$5M) external funding opportunities. Applications are due November 1.

Budgets may be used for a range of planning activities, including retreats and team-building, engagement with external partners, paying students, and other needs. Awardees also will receive support from OVPR's Research Development & Proposal Services team, e.g., project management, editing, red team reviews, graphics services, etc.

Learn more

Crosby Faculty Grants due November 4

The Elizabeth Caroline Crosby Faculty Grants fund a range of activities to help meet career-relevant needs of faculty in science and engineering. Specifically, ADVANCE seeks to identify needs outside of regularly funded channels that will have a high impact on the career success of individual faculty or diverse groups of faculty. Several grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded.

The 2022-23 cycle is now open to U-M Ann Arbor faculty with appointments on the tenure track in science and engineering fields. Women and other members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Applications are due November 4 at 12:00 PM EST. 

Learn more and apply here

Public Engagement Faculty Fellowship applications open October 10

The Public Engagement Faculty Fellowship works in partnership with units across campus to foster faculty public engagement at U-M. The fellowship supports faculty by providing an opportunity to develop skills and incubate project ideas, while also encouraging recognition of and experimentation with all forms of public engagement. The program brings together an interdisciplinary, intergenerational group of faculty members interested in building community and learning from each other and campus experts to effectively engage the public for larger societal impacts. Applications for the 2023 cohort are due on December 1.

Learn more about the fellowship

National Institutes of Health - Data Management & Sharing Policy

Beginning January 25, 2023, the NIH will require researchers to submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) with all new grant applications. This policy applies to all research, funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH, that results in the generation of scientific data. To help researchers across U-M adapt to these new changes and securely share their research data, the Research Data Stewardship Initiative created a webpage that curates the information provided by NIH and other resources available at the university.

Learn more

ORCID workshop for researchers

ORCID is presenting a webinar on October 25, 1 -2 pm to help researchers learn how to use ORCID to their advantage when working with research institutions, publishers, funders and other organizations across the research and scholarly communication landscape. The webinar will cover an overview of the benefits, how to save time, and tips and trick for keeping their ORCID records up to date.

Learn more and register

ARIS conference proposals due November 4

Have a Broader Impacts story to tell? Advancing Research Impact in Society is accepting applications for the Annual Summit (Baltimore, MD; March 22-24, 2023). Proposals for posters, one-hour sessions, and workshops are being accepted for the following themes: 

• Broader Impacts Foundations
• Science and Broader Impacts Policy
• Science Communication
• Broadening Participation in Broader Impacts
• Broader Impacts in Science Museums & Informal Spaces

More information & submission form available here

RD ShopTalk

The next RD ShopTalk, "Navigating the Large-Scale Roadmap” is Thursday, October 20 from 12:15 – 12:45 pm on Zoom. The OVPR RD team developed the Large-Scale Roadmap to walk researchers through the process of preparing and submitting a big proposal. In this Shoptalk, we will walk though the different parts of the Roadmap and discuss how to use it most effectively.

RD ShopTalks are short, informal networking conversations for staff members of the RD community at U-M held every third Thursday of the month. RD staff are invited to come share, ask questions, and listen to colleagues in a small group. Session hosts will be present to prompt and moderate conversation. Grab some lunch and join the conversation!

Zoom Link

The value of agency conferences

As researchers with competing priorities (e.g., teaching, lab time, writing, mentoring, university service, and more), your calendars are probably one solid block of color. It can be hard to find – and justify – time to attend events like the NSF Virtual Grants Conference, November 14-17. And if you do attend, the allure of multitasking is strong, tempting you to tackle your To Do List while keeping one eye and ear on the presentations.

That said, there is significant value in attending these events, especially for early career researchers. In our August 4 edition of the Research Blueprint, we emphasized the importance of reaching out to program officers (POs) before submitting a proposal. We also encourage investigators to learn as much as they can about programs, funding priorities, and the review process before diving into proposal preparation. One of the best ways to do this is to attend agency events. 

As agency conferences have moved online and become vastly more accessible, they provide a built-in mechanism for asking questions and getting to know POs in a low-stress environment. Reaching out to POs is a lot less intimidating once you’ve chatted with them, either in person or on Zoom. As a final point, by paying close attention, these conferences and workshops provide an “inside-track” on program information, helping you to read between the lines of the funding solicitation to understand exactly what the agency is looking for in submitted proposals.

This NSF event is free of charge and open to the public. Highlights include:

• New programs and initiatives
• NSF Directorate sessions
• Future directions and strategies for national science policy
• Proposal preparation and the merit review process
• Award management topics

The conference is designed to give key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. Program officers will provide up-to-date information about specific funding opportunities.

Registration opens on October 13 at 12pm EST. For those who cannot attend live, all conference sessions will be available on-demand shortly after the event. You can view recordings from previous conference sessions here. For the most up-to-date conference  information, check nsfpolicyoutreach.com.

Internal Funding 

​All currently open U-M campus-wide internal funding programs are posted in Research Commons.

• OVPR Limited Submissions Policies and Procedures
• Medical School Limited Submissions Homepage
• Questions: UMORlimitedsubmissions@umich.edu

• U-M Library’s Research Funding & Grants Guide or PIVOT Database
• U-M Research Development 
• U-M Foundation Relations

Introduction to Deep Blue Documents &
Data 

Celebrate Invention

Write Winning NIH Grant Proposals

Digital Scholarship 101: Planning Your Digital Project

Budgeting for Research Grants

Presented by MICHR
Tuesday, November 1, 2-3:30 pm
NCRC Bldg. 300, Rm. 376
REGISTER

The new NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy: what does it mean for me?

Wednesday, November 16
Noon-1 pm
Register