Experiment Station > Funding Funding

AAES Equipment Grant Program

FY2013 Request for Applications (RFA)

Purpose: Equipment grants are designed to strengthen the research capacity and capability of the AAES. These awards are not intended for the purchase of major research equipment, but to make up the gap between major research equipment as funded through NSF, USDA, or other federal agencies and requests for equipment in individual research projects. Requests for computer equipment are not allowed except when the computer is a part of the equipment system.

Eligibility: All tenured/tenure-track faculty of Auburn University with an AAES appointment and an approved AAES Hatch or Hatch/Multistate research project filed in CRIS for which the applicant is the leading P.I. are eligible to apply. The requirement of a Hatch project for newly hired faculty members within the last 12 months can be waived upon the approval of the department head. Awards will be made to individual investigators or “programmatic teams” of investigators. Typically, programmatic teams should consist of 3 or more PI’s who will work together and utilize the requested single piece or cluster of equipment with the goal of programmatic development in the college and AAES.

Award: Proposals for single investigator applications are expected to be for a single piece of equipment with a total cost of $5,000 to $25,000.  Proposals for programmatic team applications from at least 3 investigators are expected to be for a single piece or cluster of equipment with a total cost of $25,000 to $100,000.  Applicants (leading PIs) are limited to apply under the single investigator category or the programmatic team category, but not both. Researchers may serve as a co-PI on multiple team proposals.

Application: A simple form is available for your application. Applications are limited to two pages for the single investigator category or up to 6 pages for programmatic team category to present a reason as to why the piece of equipment under consideration is needed.  Proposals will be evaluated by a committee based on the following information:

1. The merit of the research program (40 point). The proposals should include a section entitled: Description of the P.I.’s research program to include research area, major technology or techniques used in the research, long term research goals, research productivity, funding history, competitiveness of the research program, and the strategic direction of the research program.  In case of programmatic team application, the proposal should include a description of each P.I.’s individual research program, and how the P.I.’s will collaborate and work as a team for programmatic development to achieve larger successes.
2. The need for the equipment (60 points).  The proposals should include a section entitled: The need for the equipment to explain the P.I.’s research program/project(s) for which the equipment (or a cluster of equipment in case of programmatic team application) will be used. Include how the equipment will fit into or enhance the research program and allow the applicant to become more competitive for future extramural funding.
3. The cost share amount. The proposals should include a section entitled: Cost share from other sourcesto explain the enthusiasm and support from the P.I.’s and from the department. Although cost share is not required, it will provide advantage to the application, and this is particularly important for units with cash reserves.  Recommended level of cost share is a one-to-one match. Please include the match amount, source and account number(s). Funds from federal sources including funds from AAES Hatch grants cannot be used as part of the match.
4. Demonstration that the P.I. will allow access of the equipment to benefit multiple PI's will provide advantage to the application, but is not required.

Deadline: The application deadline is 4:45 PM on Marchl 15.

Proposal submission: Please submit your application including the appropriate signatures, all in
a single pdf file to terrykl@auburn.edu.

Form: Request for Equipment Funding (PDF)

Award Announcement:Based on the recommendations and rankings of the committee, the awards will be made on or before May 1. A list of the recipients and awards will be posted on the AAES website.

Payment Procedure:Awards will be transferred to a departmental AAES account. Your department is responsible for preparing the necessary paperwork to purchase and pay for the equipment. All funds must be expended or encumbered by September 30, 2012. Non-cost extension will NOT be allowed.

2012 Awards

Last Updated: February 05, 2013