PumpPrimer
AS&E has established an intramural funding program for Arts, Science and Engineering researchers, PumpPrimer, designed to stimulate extramural funding for two kinds of projects that are otherwise difficult to launch:
PumpPrimer I: Multi-institutional and/or multi-investigator research projects.
Increasingly, federal agencies are exploring award mechanisms that bring together experts with complementary skills to address grand challenges. We encourage faculty to take on such large-scale initiatives because they can potentially benefit multiple AS&E faculty, increase the quality and stability of our research infrastructure, and increase our national and international visibility. Because such proposals require intensive preparation, the Dean’s office may provide:
- Teaching relief for the faculty member who champions the project.
- Administrative support from our office for proposal preparation.
- Travel costs up to $5K for planning proposals that bring together researchers from different institutions.
PumpPrimer II: Innovative and high-risk projects.
The increasingly competitive environment for extramural funding increases the need for proof of concept and/or pilot data in proposals and decreases funding of high-risk proposals. To help faculty secure extramural funding for bold new research directions, the Dean’s office will provide funding for up to one year.
- Typical budgets will be $1-20K. In rare instances, budgets as large as $50K may be awarded.
- Cost-sharing with departmental resources is encouraged.
Applicants for both mechanisms are expected to submit a proposal for external funding within 18 months of the allocation of intramural PumpPrimer support. Both mechanisms will require a brief final survey to help us evaluate the effectiveness of this program.
Faculty in Arts & Science should refer questions to Debra Haring, debra.haring@rochester.edu; those in Engineering should refer questions to:
Cindy Gary, cindy.gary@rochester.edu
For more information and application Guidelines please see:
Guidelines PumpPrimer I
Guidelines PumpPrimer II
