Syracuse University

Question 1

Can I apply as the lead PI for two CUSE grants simultaneously?

No, each applicant may only submit one proposal as PI each year; however, a lead PI may submit a second proposal to the “Interdisciplinary Seminar Grant” program. A lead PI may also serve as co-investigator on as many projects as they wish.

Question 2

a

Can I subcontract CUSE grant funds to another university to assist in the conduct of my research?

No, the CUSE grant funds may not be subcontracted out to other institutions, as they are intended to further the research that is conducted by SU personnel.

Question 3

a

How can I collaborate with external colleagues on my CUSE grant?

Collaboration with external colleagues is permitted, either as individual consultants, or as unpaid collaborators. A distinction is made between hiring an individual consultant (allowable) vs. proposing a formal subcontract to a colleague’s institution (not allowable).

Question 4

a

It sounds like CUSE grants are expected to be interdisciplinary. My project is strongly disciplinary and does not lend itself to an interdisciplinary approach. May I still apply for a CUSE grant?

Yes, you can apply for a research CUSE grant as the only PI. While the CUSE grants program promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, applications from disciplinary research areas with great potential to further scholarship, or that may lead to extramural funding opportunities are also encouraged.

Question 5

a

My proposed project duration is shorter than two years long. Is it allowable to submit a one-year project instead of for two years?

Yes, the RFP references funding durations for up to two years. It does not mandate that projects must be two years in duration. However, in terms of future eligibility, if you receive a CUSE grant as the leading PI in 2018, you cannot apply for a second CUSE grant until 2020 (i.e.- 2 years after receiving initial CUSE grant), even if the project is less than 2 years in duration.

Question 6

a

My project requires specialized instrumentation to conduct the work. Is it allowable to purchase equipment with CUSE grant funds?

Yes, equipment purchases are allowable up to a total of $5,000 for Innovative and Interdisciplinary Research Grants, and Good to Great Grants.

Question 7

a

Is it allowable to propose two months of summer salary for PI effort on my CUSE Grant budget?

No, salaries for CUSE grants are limited to a total of one-month effort for the PI or Co-investigators over the duration of the project.

Question 8

a

I am writing a research proposal for the application a CUSE grant, but not sure I should apply for a seed grant or for an innovative and interdisciplinary research grant. Can you advise?

It is your decision to apply for either a seed grant or an innovative and interdisciplinary research grant, but the funding limit is different and the competition may be different within each pool of applicants.

Question 9

a

What format am I supposed to use to illustrate my Conflicts of Interest (Section VI.2.M.)?

The format that is suggested, while not noted in the RFP, is now located on the CUSE grants web page located here. Use of other formats will not be counted against applicants, since the criteria was not stated in the RFP.

Question 10

a

Since the CUSE grants program is new, how should the section regarding Leverage of CUSE funding (Section VI.2.E.) be addressed?

This section, while intended primarily to reflect on past CUSE grant funding, can also be used to prospectively discuss how the PI envisions to leverage externally sponsored work moving forward.

Show All Results

CUSE Grants FAQs

Collaboration for Unprecedented Success and Excellence (CUSE) Grant Programs