Events

Call for Proposals

Research Grants from the CAVE Project

The UTPA Coalition Against Violence and Exploitation (CAVE) grant program invites research-based proposals for Academic Year 2012-2013. CAVE expects to fund two to four proposals of up to $10,000 in the 2012-2013 academic year. All proposals are due by 5:00PM on June 30, 2012. Funding for award grants will begin September 1, 2012 and projects must be completed by August 31, 2013. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions by July 15, 2012.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the Research Grants Program is to provide funding for research into sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, or rape prevention, or seed funding for pilot research projects that can be developed into larger studies. The grants also serve as a catalyst for inter-institutional research collaboration in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, and as a medium through which more research interest can be triggered on issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence, rape, and human trafficking.

The Center expects to fund two to four proposals of up to $10,000 in the 2012-2013 academic year. The final number of funded projects will be contingent upon receipt of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. The proposals do not have to be based upon standard quantitative research, but they must possess a method for measuring effectiveness.

ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for a research grant through CAVE, applications must meet the following criteria:

-Applicants must demonstrate affiliation with UTPA, UTB, or STC.

-Proposed research must focus on sexual assault, domestic violence, rape, or human trafficking. CAVE is particularly interested in research focusing on interactions between law enforcement and victims or survivors, on research regarding arrests and convictions (for rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking) along the U.S./Mexico border regions, or on education and prevention programs.

HOW TO APPLY

-The proposal must include:

- An abstract (350-word limit) clearly outlining the specific aims of the study, its significance, and a brief description of the research design and methods that will be used.

- A proposal narrative with the following sections: research goal(s) and question(s), proposed contribution to the literature, research design, timeline, deliverables, and future plans (if expected) to further develop the project through external funding. The proposal narrative must not exceed five pages single-spaced. Appendices with additional information can be attached to the proposal.

- A budget and a budget justification (please follow the UTPA Budget Development

Worksheet available on the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects website - www.utpa.edu/orsp). Allowable costs may include but are not limited to: summer compensation for faculty, research support for gathering preliminary or secondary data, travel that is essential and directly related to the project, among others. Please make sure that all expenses, including summer compensation limits, adhere to A21 regulations as well as university policies and regulations. Indirect costs do not need to be incorporated into the budget.

- A brief, one- to two-page curriculum vitae of the researcher(s).

-Submissions should be sent as PDF-formatted files via email attachment to CAVE@utpa.edu by June 30, 2012. The body of the email may function as the cover letter.

-Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by July 15, 2012.

-Projects must be completed by August 31, 2013.

-Individual principal investigators will be responsible for managing the financial account established for the project.

-Principal investigators are expected to present their research findings at a mini-conference during the Fall 2013 semester.

** Please be aware that IRB approval (if needed) must be obtained before any funds can be released.

REVIEW PROCESS

An advisory committee will review the applications submitted for funding.

The following criteria are of special importance:

-Significance: 25%

-Relevance to the CAVE mission: 25%

-Innovation: 20%

-Approach: 15%

-Sustainability (if applicable - the proposal should outline plans on how to further develop the research project as well as identify potential sources of future funding): 0-15%

-Investigator(s): 0-15%

Deadlines for CAVE Research Grants

Proposals due: June 30, 2012

Applicants notified of funding decisions: July 15, 2012

Funding period begins: September 1, 2012

Project completion: August 31, 2013

QUESTIONS

Questions regarding this Call for Proposals can be directed to:

Dr. Cynthia Jones, Dr. Sandra Hansmann, or Sakshi Puri

CAVE@utpa.edu / www.utpa.edu/CAVE

CAVE - COAS 303

The University of Texas-Pan American