Social Science Program Enhancement Grants (SSPEGs) are designed to enhance the productivity of FSU researchers through funding initiatives, seeding major new research programs in the areas of behavioral and social science, social work, business and law, information studies, nursing, communication, criminology, education and policy science of long-term significance to FSU. These grants are often employed to encourage connections between two or more research groups with different disciplinary backgrounds.

In certain exceptional circumstances, we will accept a proposal that will use funds like a planning grant if convinced the opportunity is of significant magnitude. The funds for a SSPEG, provided by the CRC will be made available based on a competitive external review process for an amount up to $100,000 for a period of up to two years.

Participation is open to all faculty in the behavioral and social science, social work, business and law, information studies, nursing, communication, criminology, education and policy science areas at FSU who are eligible to apply for external support. Exceptions to the eligibility policy should be submitted by memo or email to the vice president for research with supporting rationale provided by the appropriate department chair, dean or equivalent official.

The Overall Goals of the Cornerstone SSPEG Program are:

• to advance the national and international recognition and stature of FSU behavioral and social science, social work, business and law, information studies, nursing, communication, criminology, education and policy science research programs;
• to bring together FSU research capabilities, expertise, and resources - especially those disciplines related to the academic strengths of FSU and to the problems and needs of the state and the nation; and
• to increase the external support for FSU researchers by providing targeted support through a competitive grants program for both centers and individuals. Submission of at least one external proposal within one year of the acceptance of this award is an expectation of the award.

The first step in the SSPEG application process will be the submission of a one page Letter of Intent (LOI)   PDF   Word Doc stating the intent to apply and the nature of the proposed research. This LOI and 5 names of reviewers   PDF   Word Doc will assist in selecting the external reviewers. LOIs do not require any other forms.

NOTE: Applicants are advised that requests solely for summer or sabbatical salary support through the SSPEG program will not be considered. However, summer salary or sabbatical support as part of a larger budget plan can be considered. Applicants requiring support solely for summer salary should not seek SSPEG funding, but rather consider applying to the Council on Research and Creativity (CRC) which offers a competitive funding program called COFRS, providing some summer salary support. See the COFRS website.

There is no SSPEG pre-proposal process. But as noted above, the Letter of Intent form, due by October 26, is required. Full proposals from all LOI submitters are expected to be automatically forthcoming by January 4, 2008.

A review group will be established for the purpose of reviewing SSPEG proposals. Applicants are required to submit the names and complete contact information for 5 experts in the field outside of FSU, but inside the United States, with whom the PI has conversed about being a potential reviewer of this project and who have indicated to the PI that they are willing and available to review and evaluate the proposal, if selected, using an electronic review process considering:

• the intellectual merit of the proposed activity;
• the effect the proposal will have on advancing knowledge and understanding in the field;
• the relationship of the work to existing or planned institutional research programs and capacities; and
• the vision of the project leader.

The SSPEG evaluations will also consider the following factors:

• the proposal quality and the PI's qualifications and capabilities (and the rest of the team, if appropriate);
• plans for long-term scientific and financial sustainability of the projected effort based on the likelihood of increased external funding;
• appropriateness of the proposed budget, duration, staffing, purchases, and capacity to utilize funds;
• appropriateness of instrumentation purchases, if any, for accomplishing proposed purposes;
• utilization of graduate assistants whenever possible and appropriate; and
• the availability of other existing support to leverage external funds in the future.

To be considered for an award under the Social Science Program Enhancement Grant Program, please review the specific and detailed Request for Proposal guidelines link on the Cornerstone program website. Also check out the list of previous awardees tab and their project titles at the same website. Examples of some proposals are available from a secure site.