Research, Sponsored Program, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property

General University Research Program

Section:	Research, Sponsored Program, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Policies
Policy Name:	General University Research Program
Policy Owner:	Vice President for Research, Scholarship & Innovation
Responsible University Office:	Research Office
Origination Date:	October 1, 1981
Revisions:	June 5, 1989; March 1, 1996; September 1, 2005; January 18, 2008; August 6, 2008
Legacy Policy Number:	6-01

1. PURPOSETo outline the types of assistance available under the General University Research program and application procedures.
2. POLICY
   1. General University Research Program
      
      The regular budget of the University of Delaware provides funds for assistance to full-time professional and faculty members for individual research and professional development. The University program for use of these funds is designated as the General University Research program. Three types of assistance for scholarly effort are available from General University Research (GUR) funds:
      1. GUR grants are administered by the Vice Provost for Research. In administering this program, the Vice Provost is advised by the Research Committee of the Faculty Senate. The Research Committee recommends budgetary allocation of the funds available for the year, evaluates applications for University research grants, and recommends those to be supported. Grants are primarily in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Research grants are awarded each year in January for the following fiscal year. The grants support such research costs as stipends, technical assistance, equipment, supplies, travel, etc. Grants in varying amounts are approved on the basis of individual merit and specific need and are normally made for an academic or full calendar year. The amount of the stipend may vary from year to year and will be established by the Associate Provost for Research with the recommendation of the Research Committee. Applicants should clearly state their needs. Grants generally range from $3,500 to $6,000.
   2. General Information
      
      All full-time professionals and faculty members are eligible to apply for GUR grants. In evaluating proposals, the Faculty Senate Research Committee considers the following criteria and guidelines.
      1. The GUR program is intended primarily for beginning or young faculty members or professionals who need assistance for research projects not sufficiently developed (in terms of the project or the reputation of the investigator) to justify support form outside sponsors.
      2. Others are eligible under the following conditions:
         1. Experienced investigators who are developing new projects and need assistance to try out their ideas before applying for major support elsewhere.
         2. Experienced investigators who want to work on small projects or who are engaged in work for which there would be difficulty in obtaining outside support because of limiting conditions such as the specialized nature of the research or availability of outside funds.
         3. Professionals or faculty members who have been involved in lengthy research projects and need additional support to obtain critical material or to finish their work for publication.
         4. Senior faculty whose proposals are clearly superior and show strong promise of making an exceptional scholarly or artistic contribution. Although there is no restriction on the number of awards an individual may receive over the years, it should be understood that, all other factors being equal, preference will be given to those who have not received awards previously. An investigator is normally not considered for a second or later award unless at least three years have elapsed since the most recent previous award.
      3. Procedure for Submitting Research Proposals are found in the General University Research guidelines. The guidelines are updated annually by the committee.