Get Your Research Off the Ground A look at WiSys Spark and UW System Ignite Grants for Applied Research Jennifer Souter, Director of Patents and Licensing Deborah Lundin, Pre-Award Manager for Sponsored Programs
Agenda Overview: WiSys Spark Grant
Outcomes to date Grant recipients Submission guidelines Campus deadlines
Overview: UW System Ignite Applied Research Grant
Submissions/awards statistics Fundability Common FAQs Submission guidelines Review and appraisal Reviewer perspectives
Webinar Q&A
WiSys Spark Grant Program Advances small-scale, proof-ofprinciple research projects Up to $10,000 per project proposal, 6-9 month term Competitive process administered at the campus level
Spark Grant Recipients Campus
Primary Investigator
Project Title
UW-Eau Claire
David Lewis
Non-Intercalating, Non-Toxic, Reversible DNA Imaging Agents
UW-Green Bay
Mandeep Bakshi
Regenerative Biodiesel Microemulsions for Cleaning Automobile Engine
UW-La Crosse
Paul Schweiger
One-pot Vitamin C Synthesis
UW-La Crosse
Jennifer Kleine
Development of a Novel Epigenetic Biomarker for Food Allergen Tolerance during Immunotherapy
UW-Parkside
Ranis Ibragimov
Comparison with El Nino and Improvement of the Existing Seasonal Predictability of Weather Patterns
UW-Parkside
Yujuan Li
Development of Organic Polymer/Dye Composite Material for Phenol Detection
UW-Platteville
Mehdi Roopaei
Edge Analytics in Disaster Information Management
UW-Platteville
Jim Hamilton
The ROSE Process (reactive organic solvent etching)
UW-Platteville
Mohammad Rabbani
Preparation of Sulfur Functionalized Metal Organic Frameworks for Capturing Heavy Metals from Water
UW-River Falls
Samuel Alvarado
Producing Polymer-quantum Dot Composite Materials through Direct Ligand Reaction
Spark Grant Recipients Cont… Campus
Primary Investigator Project Title
UW-River Falls
Casie Bass
Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) Localization and Intrauterine Device (IUD) Protocol Development in Mares
UW-River Falls
Lathadevi Chintapenta
Isolation and Identification of Bioactive Compounds from the Bacteria Burkholderia sp. for use in Agriculture and Sustainable Management
UW-River Falls
Rebecca Haley
Mechanochemical Deoxygenation of Carbonyl Compounds for Biomass Upgrading
UW-River Falls
Matthew O’Reilly
Characterization of the Enantiospecific Antimicrobial Activity of Emmacin-Related Substituted Dihydropyrimidines
UW-Stout
Pranabendu Mitra
Effect of Fortification of Cranberry Pomaces and Different Vegetables in High Fiber and Antioxidant Value-added Baked Product Cookies
UW-Whitewater
Balamurigan Pandiyan
Modeling Thyroid Cancer Arises from Nodule(s) due to Increasing TSH in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
UW-Whitewater
Prajukti Bhattacharyya
Deployable Early Warning System for Landslide, Mudslide Avalanche and other Similar Mass Wasting Hazards based on Multi-modal Sensing Mechanisms and Built-in Algorithm
Guidance Notes
Limit of one award per investigator
Funds for supplies and expenses, faculty salary (up to 50% of budget) and student stipends
Funding for travel to scientific conferences and publication costs are not allowed
Applicants must follow campus’ internal grant submission and approval process
Submission requires a new Invention Disclosure
Proposals are scored based on:
Intellectual Property potential
Marketability and unmet need
Level of preliminary data available
Project feasibility, value for money and suitability of team
Campus Deadlines
UW-Eau Claire, Jan 1, 2021 UW-Green Bay, Dec 14, 2020 UW-La Crosse, Feb 1, 2021 UW Oshkosh, Mar 1, 2021 UW-Parkside, Nov 2, 2020 UW-Platteville, Feb 24, 2021 UW-River Falls, Jan 11, 2021 UW-Stevens Point, Nov 6, 2020 UW-Stout, Nov 30, 2020 UW-Superior, Jan 15, 2021 UW-Whitewater, Feb 12, 2021 https://www.wisys.org/grants/spark
UW System Ignite Grant for Applied Research “to develop advanced human potential and the knowledge economy that employs that potential… in particular to promote technology transfer and economic development throughout Wisconsin and provide for broader impact beyond the state”
UW System Ignite Grant Program Annual funding from the state legislature and governor FY 21/22 - One Research Grant Program offered by UW System: Ignite Grant for Applied Research: Competitive program open to all UW System institutions and academic disciplines Due to the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, UW System suspended applications for prototype development funding for fiscal year 2021-22.
Project Fundability Aligns with grant program’s core purpose Potential for significant WI economic impact and further afield: Foster business expansion and/or improve profitability Help create jobs and/or enhance the workforce Reduce costs and/or increase efficiency and productivity Improve quality of products or services Create positive change in Wisconsin’s cultural/natural environment
Plan is clearly defined and includes measurable milestones Technically feasible and demonstrates creativity and/or innovation
Term of Award/Amounts Up to $50,000 is available per project UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee are each limited to two Ignite awards/funding cycle Funding term is 14 consecutive months, starting July 1, 2021
Campus Statistics (16/17 20/21)
Submissions/Awards – 5-Year Average 9 8
Average success rate ~30%
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Submissions
Awards
2020/2021 Awardees Campus
Primary Investigator
Project Title
UW-La Crosse
William Schwan
Identifying the Lethal Factor Protein Induced by SK-03-92 Treatment in Staphylococcus aureus
UW-La Crosse
Rob McGaff
Versatile Low-cost Iron-based Systems for Green Catalytic Desulfurization
UW-Milwaukee
Alexander Timmer
Mobile Design Box Retrofit: Addressing Urban Vacancy through Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
UW-Milwaukee
Junjie Niu
A New Design Of Lithium Ion Battery With Improved Energy Density For Electronic Devices And Cordless Power Tools
UW Oshkosh
Jeffrey Sachse
A Strategic Framework for Wisconsin's Paper Industry: Growing, Innovating, and Sustaining
UW Oshkosh
Sabrina Mueller-Spitz
Protecting Vegetable Crops using Bioactive Enzymes Targeting Bacterial Communication
UW-Parkside
Francis Mann
Generation of Carotenoids for Animal Feed and Pigmentation
UW-Parkside
David Higgs
Genetic Analysis of Nitro Algae: A New Algal Strain with Improved Biomass Yield on Reduced Nitrogen
UW-Platteville
Edoardo Rubino
Flow Energy Harvesting with Piezoelectric Beams
UW-Stout
Joshua Seaver
Encouraging Empathetic Communication in Electronic Messaging Services to Improve Project Outcomes from Collaborative, Cross-Disciplinary Teams
UW-Stout
Jennifer Grant
Nanoparticle- and Biotin-Based Probes for Inclusion in a Citrulline Detection Kit
14
Social Sciences and Humanities 5-year Average Total Submissions versus SS&H Submissions versus SS&H Funded 40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Total Submissions
Humanities Submissions
Humanities Funded
Social Sciences/Humanities Example Mobile Design Box Retrofit: Addressing Urban Vacancy through Entrepreneurial Infrastructure Goal Adapt Milwaukee’s existing social and physical infrastructure to encourage economic and social growth through the implementation of a mobile furniture system to retrofit existing vacant storefronts; addresses the need for more resources and structures for entrepreneurs in underserved communities Objectives 1. Determine the entrepreneurial needs of the community through interviews and surveys 2. Construct a set of mobile furniture to support these entrepreneurial needs; and 3. Determine the success of these infrastructural pieces through further interviews and surveys Impact Tactical urbanism: Through the use of vacant storefronts, this project provides the necessary and costly infrastructure for startups, creates interest in vacant spaces, and motivates the occupation of retail spaces by others. The project also sets up a model for other communities to partner with area architecture programs for both occupancy of vacant store fronts and leveraging faculty and student expertise for designing and making portable furniture. Communities benefit from active commercial corridors, community engagement spaces, and an engaged public.
Social Sciences/Humanities Example A Strategic Framework for Wisconsin's Paper Industry: Growing, Innovating, and Sustaining Goal Develop a comprehensive long-term strategy for Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, and converting industry; addresses challenges presented by unprecedented demographic shifts, an uncertainty regulatory climate and climate change, and the promise of new automation technologies Objectives 1. Design and administer an industry talent needs survey of pulp, paper, and converting industry firms, forestry firms and paper transportation firms in Wisconsin; 2. Completion of an innovation and sustainability assessment of the industry in Wisconsin; and 3. Publication of a strategic framework for the Wisconsin Paper Council Impact Incorporation of stakeholder engagement in strategic development processes: Provides a comprehensives analysis of assets and challenges faced by an industry and gauges industry’s responsiveness to change Encourages sharing of challenges and success
Social Sciences/Humanities Example Developing Assessment Measures for Women’s Building Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Andragogy Goal Investigate best practices to support women’s entry and success into building construction trades; addresses recruitment, training and retention Objectives 1. Increase awareness of building trades as a feasible career path for women; 2. Establish a pre-apprenticeship program; and 3. Evaluate program effectiveness Impact Workforce development Support for the construction industry in filling open positions Development of tool that could be used outside of Wisconsin and for other trades
Social Sciences/Humanities Example Scientifically Authentic Video-Based Experiments (SAVE) Goal Create and distribute web-based activities to help high school and university students learn science; utilizes high resolution, interactive videos of real events that are linked to scientific theory in fields such as physics
Objectives 1. Create 100 new interactive videos; 2. Conform videos to industry standards; and 3. Develop user interface. Impact
Improve the efficiency of science education in Wisconsin Better prepared students – employability and workforce development
Proposal Development Reminders Continued emphasis on…
The why, what and how Goals, milestones and timeline Market opportunity and competitive positioning
Increased emphasis on…
Level of undergraduate/graduate student involvement Investigator CVs limited to 5 pages or less
Structured Template Section 1 - Executive Summary Section 2 - Rationale, Technical Approach, and Preliminary Data Section 3 - Research Plan (maximum of 3 objectives) Sections 4/5 - Market Opportunity and Commercialization, & Competition Section 6 - Intellectual Property
Structured Template Section 7 - Project Team/Key Personnel Section 8 - Funding History Section 9 - Budget Justification Section 10 - Any other Relevant Information Section 11/12 - Scientific References and Supporting Information
Proposal Appendix Appendix format Detailed instructions provided on content to be included: Primary investigator’s CV (required) - no more than 5 pages Letters of support (if applicable) - letters from partners/collaborators demonstrating market need, customer interest, and soundness of technical approach are highly encouraged
Common questions, clarifications sought
Budget Unallowable expenses/justifications required Fringe benefits
Multi-institution proposals
Budget Considerations Travel Conference travel is NOT allowed
Computer Hardware Funds for computer workstations and laptops are generally disallowed – unless critical to project and highly justified
High Value Capital Equipment Requests Equipment requests >$5,000/piece of equipment must be highly justified Applicants should try and access use of existing equipment on campus or throughout UW System
Publication Costs
Fringe Benefits Fringe benefits are provided for UW System employees Do NOT include a request for fringe benefits anywhere within your up-to-$50,000 budget If awarded, fringe benefits will be covered by the GPR Fringe Benefit Pool and will be automatically transferred by UW System directly to your campus
Multi-Institution Applications Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged The lead institution should submit the following:
Signed cover page Budget pages Full proposal using structured template Proposal appendix
Supporting institution should submit the following: Signed cover page for their institution only Budget Page detailing funds for their institution only CV/Resume for key personnel
Lead institutions should identify collaborative proposals and supporting institution during submission process
Submission Guidelines – Intent to Submit Intent to Submit required for full proposal submission Deadline for Intent to Submit – November 30, 2020 Intents are submitted electronically: https://www.wisconsin.edu/grants-awards/ignite-grant-program/ignite-grant-program-intentto-submit-form/
Summarize goals of project in less than 500 words
Feedback only provided (by 12/18/2020) if applicant requests during intent to submit submission ORSP representatives will be notified of all campus intents to submit by 12/04/2020
Submission Guidelines – Full Proposal Full proposal submissions are due January 25, 2021 Applicants should submit the following by email to
[email protected] and copy their grant administrator:
Signed Cover Page (PDF) Completed Structure Template for Proposal Narrative (Word Document)* Budget Page (Excel Sheet) Proposal Appendix (submitted as one combined PDF)
* Structured template must be used, and applicants should NOT exceed page or word counts or modify formatting. Single spacing and font size 12 should be used.
Review and Appraisal All Ignite proposals are reviewed by an external review panel, and committee members are chosen each year based on technical areas of Intents to Submit received.
Business and technical/content experts from varied disciplines:
Sustainable technology Computer Science Biotechnology Engineering and Materials Science Humanities and Social Sciences
UW System representative from Office of Academic Programs and Educational Innovation WiSys
Primary Evaluation Checklist Science & Technology proposals
Economic Near term (1-3 years) versus long term impact and strategy for achieving long-term Creation of new technology or industry Impact on quality of life or environment
Technological Innovation in Science
Level of innovation Competitive differentiation to existing approaches/technologies Feasibility Commercially attractive market Potential for intellectual property
Overall Quality of Proposal
Achievable and measurable milestones Well-designed and articulated project plan Cost effective High probability for extramural follow on funding Opportunity for student training
Primary Evaluation Checklist Social Sciences and Humanities proposals
Economic/Societal Impact Positive change in WI cultural and/or natural environment Creation of tangible economic benefit Create jobs/enhance workforce Reduce costs/increase efficiency/productivity and/or improve sustainability Promote competitiveness in business
Likelihood of Successful Project Completion
Feasibility and realistic objectives Meaningful outcomes in the grant period Support from the private sector or other partners Sustainability of program and potential for extramural funding
Overall Quality of Proposal
Achievable and measurable milestones Well-designed and articulated project plan Cost effective Opportunity for student training
Revise/Resubmit, Sequential Year Submissions Applicants are encouraged to revise and resubmit Ensure resubmission: Addresses as much of reviewers’ feedback as possible Includes any preliminary data generated since prior submission
Sequential year submissions are accepted however few are funded Applicants should:
Highlight what was accomplished during year 1, demonstrating successful completion of milestones that year 2 funding will build upon; Demonstrate that other funding sources have been considered.
Applications where multi-year funding is proposed are not encouraged
Rather, detail what can be accomplished within 14-month period and what follow on funding is possible as a result of data generated
What the review panel look for…
Executive summary: a well written proposal that tells a nice story Proposals with preliminary data are stronger Evidence of industry partners/interest a plus Demonstrate a novel project approach (e.g. use of innovative methodology) Potential for IP and clarification on IP position Likelihood of state economic impact should be high How will research address a commercially attractive market? Define key features of innovation and how it may one day reach marketplace If early stage with a long development– map out long term potential and plans to realize it Student involvement is key.
Important Dates/Deadlines Intent to Submit – November 30, 2020 Full Proposal – January 25, 2021 • In order to submit a full proposal, applicants must have submitted an intent to submit
Award Announcements – on or before May 1, 2021 Confirmation of State Funds – on or before July 1, 2021 Expenditures must be made by – August 31, 2022 Final Reports – September 30, 2022
Office Hours with WiSys
Tony Hanson,
[email protected] • UW-La Crosse • UW-Parkside • UW-Platteville • UW-Whitewater
Ray French,
[email protected]
Vetting of proposal idea for program fit
• UW-Eau Claire • UW-River Falls • UW-Stout • UW-Superior
Proposal development Intellectual Property Commercialization
Brad Ricker,
[email protected] • UW-Green Bay • UW Oshkosh • UW-Stevens Point
Jennifer Souter,
[email protected] • UW-Madison • UW-Milwaukee
QUESTIONS? For more information: Contact
[email protected] Visit www.wisys.org
