ORG Grants

a. The proposal should clearly describe what is intended by the principal investigator, what results are expected, and what steps the principal investigator intends to take to reach the goal.
b. The proposal should be written so that a person with no prior knowledge of the subject can make an informed judgment as to the worthiness of the proposal as a research project.
c. The proposed research should require the use of sound investigative methodology.
d. When the proposal requires statistical analysis, the proposed procedures should be included AND demonstrably linked to the research questions/hypotheses being investigated.
e. Proposals that require the purchase of animals should describe clearly how the animals will be handled at the conclusion of the study. If the animals will be sold, the proceeds will be returned to the University Research Committee. For animals that are not sold or destroyed, the department responsible for the maintenance of the animals must be named.
f. Some proposed research may result in a publication that will be sold for profit. If the researcher anticipates royalties from the sale of any resulting publications, please specify whether the university will receive any portion of the royalties.

a. Whether for basic or applied research, the proposal should have evident value. A proposal should have potential for producing a high quality publication.
b. A proposal should enhance the principal investigator’s ability to obtain external funding.
c. A proposal should indicate the extent to which new ideas may be generated or established concepts may be reexamined.

a. Any organized research grant application for funding that requires the use of human subjects or experimental animals must have appropriate Institutional Review Board approval and include the approval number on the checklist.
b. If you have an approved IRB protocol it is posted at www.tarleton.edu/~grants.
c. If you need to apply to an IRB (human or animal), the forms are located at www.tarleton.edu/~grants under the “Policies” button. You may submit applications for an IRB to the Office of Sponsored Projects (Admin. 136).
d. URC funds will not be allocated until appropriate IRB approval has been provided to the University Research Committee.

4. Principal investigator and other personnel

a. Careful attention will be given to the principal investigator’s performance with respect to previous Organized Research Grants (if applicable) and to the quality of resulting manuscripts or publications.
b. The research and publication record of the principal investigator will be considered.
c. The principal investigator is expected to submit for publication the results of one Organized Research Grant before applying for funds for a new project.
d. Special consideration will be given to new faculty who are engaged in their initial research effort and to established faculty who wish to change their area of research or begin new research efforts.
e. Active involvement of student assistants in the research process will be given favorable consideration.
f. Proposed salaries for student research assistants (undergraduate and graduate) should not exceed the University approved standards. If grantees wish to pay students more than the standard, the appropriate paperwork may be filed.

5. External Support

a. After receiving support from the University Research Committee, the principal investigator is expected to apply for outside funding for the same or other research.
b. Proposals which have an enhanced probability of external funding will generally be favored.

FISCAL AND OTHER CONDITIONS

1. Partial salary may be requested in a proposal with approval of the Department Head. The sum of the principal investigator’s part-time research salary and any part-time teaching salary must not be more than the applicant’s regular salary on a monthly basis.

2. Salary for support personnel must meet the guidelines of the Tarleton Comprehensive Pay Plan. For additional information see the Human Resources Department.

3. Budgets will be examined carefully in relation to travel and equipment expenses. Travel funds will only be granted for the collection of data, not for attending scholarly meetings or conferences.

4. Equipment purchased with Organized Research funds becomes the property of Tarleton State University and will be a part of the inventory of the principal investigator’s department. Upon completion of a research project in which equipment was purchased, the University Research Committee reserves the right to determine the disposition of the equipment. Equipment purchases will follow the guidelines provided by Business Services.

PROCEDURE FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS

Budgets: An account number will be provided by Business Services for those receiving grants. ALL FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR A RESEARCH GRANT MUST BE USED BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR FOR WHICH THE GRANT WAS MADE. Funds not spent or committed by August 1 of any fiscal year are subject to reversion to the unappropriated income account. Principal investigators are required to notify the Chair of the University Research Committee whenever it is determined that all or part of the grant will not be used. The University Research Committee may reallocate unused grant money.

Salary: For those approved proposals covering salary, the salary will be paid in the normal fashion. The Chair of the University Research Committee will make arrangements with Business Services for the payment of salaries allocated from Organized Research Funds. Salaries paid under Title III are dispersed by the Associate Vice President for Research and Grants.

Travel: Where travel is involved, the principal investigator must submit travel request forms through the normal university channels using the principal investigator’s research account number.

Supplies and Equipment: In preparing a proposal, the principal investigator should attempt to provide equipment and expendable items through the department rather than as a part of the budget in the proposal. For those items of equipment and supplies which cannot be provided by the department, the proposal should include appropriate amounts. The purchase of these items must be through requisition and through Business Services.

Personnel: Student assistants and others authorized for employment by the grant must be hired by using the proper employment procedures as defined by the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Human Resources Department. No one will be paid until all forms are completed.

Reports: Progress reports are due on September 25 following the period of the grant if the research has not been completed and every six months thereafter until the project is completed. At the completion of the project the principal investigator must submit a final report and copies of resulting publications and/or presentations when they become available.

PUBLICITY

The University Research Committee has responsibility for publicity on the awarding, progress, and completion of grants.

PUBLICATIONS

All publications resulting from research supported by Organized Research funds must acknowledge that the project was conducted through a Tarleton State University Organized Research Grant.

A copy of each publication must be filed with the Chair of the University Research Committee.

COPYRIGHTS AND PATENTS

For current policies the applicant should refer to the Texas A&M University System Administrative Policy and Reporting Manual.

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