Overview

Workshops offer an opportunity for scientists, engineers, and scholars from within and outside of UT Dallas to gather and discuss significant research opportunities, issues related to problems of national significance, or emerging areas of science and technology. The UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation seeks proposals for workshops that are hosted at UT Dallas and led by UT Dallas faculty. It is expected that the workshop will bring together recognized leaders from across the United States and/or abroad to engage with UT Dallas faculty and students. Workshops that focus on the review of academic programs, curriculum development, University operations, or teaching methodologies will not be supported through this mechanism.

Award Information

  • The maximum allowable budget for a Workshop grant is $3,000.
  • The duration of a Workshop grant award is 12 months.
  • Workshop proposals are accepted continuously.

Submission Deadline: Continuous

Program Guidelines

A successful Workshop grant proposal will demonstrate the following:

  • Justification of the workshop topic as strengthening the research mission and/or reputation of UT Dallas.
  • Proposed external speakers/participants who are recognized leaders in their field.
  • Commitment from collaborative faculty who would be part of the proposing workshop team.
  • Commitment from the proposal applicant and their department administrative staff to provide workshop leadership.
  • Commitment from faculty PIs or collaborators with greater than $100,000 in discretionary funds (e.g. Research Enhancement and Chair cost centers) to provide significant co-funding for the workshop.

Eligibility Guidelines

  • The PI must have a primary UT Dallas appointment and must be PI eligible.
  • Adjunct faculty, affiliate faculty, visiting researchers, and postdocs are not eligible to serve as either PI or co-PIs but may be participate in the workshop.
  • A faculty member may submit only one Workshop grant proposal as a PI or co- PI during each submission period.
  • Previous Workshop grant awardees (PI and co-PIs) may submit a new Workshop grant application no sooner than three calendar years from a prior award round. For example, a winner from spring 2019 would not be eligible to submit another application until spring 2022.
  • Faculty participating in the review process are not eligible to apply concurrently for a Workshop grant.

Allowable Expenses

  • Publication/marketing costs
  • Sponsored lunch and/or coffee
  • Travel support for speakers

Unallowable Expenses

  • Faculty salary and/or benefits (neither academic year nor summer support permitted)
  • Transfer of funds to institutions or individuals outside of UT Dallas
  • Indirect costs

Required Submission Materials

Proposal documents should have 1-inch margins and use 12-point font. Upload one combined document (preferably in PDF format).

  • Summary. In 300 words or less describe the workshop and the potential impact of the theme area for a general audience.
  • Proposal. Limited to three pages with the following section headings in sequence.
    • Organizers’ names, affiliations, and contact information
    • Workshop title
    • Anticipated workshop date range
    • Marketing plan for the workshop
    • Background: What is the opportunity, technology, and/or concept?  What are the key questions/topics for the Workshop?  Why UT Dallas?
    • Structure: envisioned format for the workshop and inclusion of any external speakers
    • Expertise: disciplines (e.g., molecular biology, mechanical engineering, business, etc.) that are expected to offer contributions.
    • Speakers: potential candidate speakers
    • Budget: provide a table with each expenditure category and line-item descriptions. Describe any co-funding sources and amounts
    • Duration: half-day or full-day
    • Estimated number of attendees
  • Previous seed grant funding. Limited to one page, if any team member has had previous seed grant funding through a UT Dallas program, detail the distinction between previous funding and the proposed project; and the past success of the seed grant funding.

Application Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

Workshop grant applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of UT Dallas faculty with a range of scientific, technical, and research experience. Awards will be announced following the completion of the reviews and funding will be available soon after. Evaluation criteria include:

  • Relevance of project goals, plans, and expected outcome(s) to prepare the team for future external funding opportunities.
  • The skills and abilities of the team for the Workshop project and the possible pursuit of external funding.
  • The extent that the Workshop grant support is vital for the collaboration.
  • If applicable, the extent of difference between previous seed grant funding and the proposed project; and the past success of the seed grant funding.

Awardee Requirements

Upon award, you must submit the following information to the UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation:

  • Coordination with the UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation event staff for preliminary, mid-way, and final check-in meetings. UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation event staff will share best practices for successful event planning with the awardee and their department administrative staff.
  • Within one month of completion of the workshop, provide a 1 page summary of the workshop with the background, goal, description of attendees, and outcomes.
  • Upon request: Provide a brief presentation at UTD during a research symposium or other event to highlight the Workshop impact.
  • Recipients will serve on Seed Grant review panels as requested. By accepting an award, recipients agree to score and provide written comments on assigned proposals before the review deadline and participate in in-person review meetings.

Other Terms and Conditions

  • Funds will not be released until all necessary compliance related approvals and/or training are acquired, such as IRB, IACUC, IBC, RCR and COI.
  • Funds expire and must be used for the designated purpose within 12 months of award. No carryover of funds will be permitted unless approval has been provided by the UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation.  Any unused funds must be returned to the UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation.
  • Failure to comply with Awardee Requirements will result in suspension of Workshop funding and faculty becoming ineligible for future seed grant competitions from the UT Dallas Office of Research and Innovation.
  • The Workshop award must be acknowledged in any resulting publications, exhibitions, or events, including press releases, using the following language: “This project was funded (or partially funded) by The University of Texas at Dallas Office of Research and Innovation through the Workshop program.”

Contact Us

For further information please contact Emily Lacy.