FY08 Idaho DEPSCoR Statewide Competition Guidelines (Closed)
 

The FY08 DEPSCoR BAA can be found at the Army funding opportunities webpage.

Idaho EPSCoR expects to again select five proposals for the state proposal package to be submitted to the DoD. The FY08 DoD EPSCoR (DEPSCoR) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) has not been released; however, the statewide rules for selecting these five proposals are similar to those used last year. Boise State University (BSU), Idaho State University (ISU), and the University of Idaho (UI) will each be allowed to select one proposal to be included in the state package. They also will each be allowed to submit two additional pre-proposals to be reviewed and ranked by an external review team. Of the six reviewed and ranked projects, the two highest ranked pre-proposals will also be included in the state package. Under this selection process, an institution may have as many as three, but at least one, proposal(s) in the state package.

(INVESTIGATORS MUST CONTACT THEIR INSTITUTION (BSU, ISU, or UI) FOR INSTITUTION-SPECIFIC DEADLINES AND PROJECT SELECTION PROCEDURES).

·         Boise State University, Idaho State University, and the University of Idaho are invited to submit up to three (3) pre-proposals each. One pre-proposal shall be identified for the guaranteed slot for that institution; the other two shall be identified for the external review and ranking. Each university is responsible for selecting and submitting its most competitive pre-proposals. Collaborations between Idaho universities that strengthen the proposed projects are encouraged by the Idaho EPSCoR Committee.

·         Pre-proposal project descriptions are limited to a total of ten (10) pages. Pre-proposal formatting requirements are provided below and must be followed by each applicant to ensure consistent document preparation and review.

·         Each university is required to prepare pre-proposals requesting at least $350k each. The average FY05 DEPSCoR award amount was $422k. As in the past, a two-for-one match is anticipated; budgets should identify and list matching funds.

·         Each institution must submit the project titles for its two pre-proposals to Idaho EPSCoR (epscor@uidaho.edu) on or before August 6, 2007 to facilitate selection of appropriate external reviewers.

·         All pre-proposals must be submitted electronically to the Idaho DEPSCoR Associate Project Director via the Idaho EPSCoR Office (epscor@uidaho.edu) and received on or before 12:00 noon, August 31, 2007. Electronic formats should be limited to Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF.

·         Also by August 31, 2007, each Vice President for Research/Chief Research Officer shall submit a letter to Idaho EPSCoR summarizing the process and feedback that investigators have utilized to ensure that DoD has a strong mission-oriented interest in the proposed projects.  DoD Agency (e.g., ARO, AFOSR, ONR, etc.) and program officer contact information must be provided in the letter. These cover letters should also summarize how the projects enhance the capabilities of their university to become more research competitive, and how they increase the probability of long-term growth in DoD research support within Idaho. 

·         Up to six (6) pre-proposals will be reviewed and prioritized externally. This task should be completed before September 24, 2007. The anticipated pre-proposal review criteria will match those listed in the FY07 DEPSCoR BAA. No changes in review criteria from FY07 are anticipated (provided below).

·         The two (2) top-ranked Idaho pre-proposals will be selected for proposal development and submission to the FY08 DEPSCoR competition, assuming that DEPSCoR guidelines allow five (5) proposals from each state.

·         Each university will submit its full proposals in printed hardcopy form, one (1) original plus six (6) copies with appropriate university signatures, to Dr. Jeffrey Young, Associate Project Director, in care of the Idaho EPSCoR Office not later than October 12, 2006, for preparation for the EPSCoR Committee’s endorsement, packaging, and submission to the Department of Defense.

Tentative FY08 Idaho DEPSCoR Program Timeline

FY08 Idaho DEPSCoR Pre-Proposal Format/Content

Each pre-proposal must include the following:

a.     Pre-proposal cover sheet (1 pg.) Click hyperlink to open document in a new window. Choose "File"/ "Save As" to save this form to your hard drive.

b.       A clear summary statement explaining what makes the proposed research particularly attractive to DoD at this time, how it will strengthen university research capabilities, and what innovations make it uniquely competitive (this summary should be written for an intelligent lay audience).*

c.       The project description. It may address goals, methods, rationale, infrastructure, future competitiveness, DoD interest, collaborations, etc.*

d.       Biographical sketches for PIs, including a list of current research support (2 pg. maximum each).

e.       A preliminary budget, including justification and cost share (~1 pg.).

* The project summary and project description combined must not exceed 10 single-spaced pages. The cover sheet, biographical sketches, and budget will not be counted toward the 10-page limit.

FY08 Idaho DEPSCoR Pre-Proposal Review Criteria

External review will be conducted by a panel of reviewers who have R&D and/or DoD experience and who are keenly aware of current DoD research interests. Idaho will utilize the review criteria published in the FY08 DEPSCoR BAA:

The primary evaluation criteria (of equal importance to each other) will be:

1. The scientific and technical merits of the proposed research.
2. The potential contributions of the proposed research to the defense missions of the participating agencies.
3. The likelihood of the proposed effort to advance the research infrastructure goals of the university or State by developing new or enhancing existing research capabilities and to broaden the university research base in support of national defense.
4. The potential to contribute to the education of future scientists and engineers in disciplines critical to the DoD mission.

Other evaluation criteria (of less importance than 1, 2, 3, and 4 but of equal importance to each other) are:

5. The qualifications, capabilities, experience, and past research accomplishments of the proposed Principal Investigator, team leader and other key personnel who are critical to achieving the objectives of the proposal.
6. The proposed involvement and interaction with DoD or other federal laboratories, industry, or other existing research centers of excellence.
7. The realism and reasonableness of cost, cost sharing or matching, and availability of funds.