Program Guidelines for Rowan Research Experience for Diversity and Inclusion (REDI)

Announcement Date: February 15, 2018

Application Due Date: March 31, 2018

Award Period: July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019

The Rowan Research Experience for Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) grants are designed to support research activities of Rowan faculty and staff that promote and enhance diversity and inclusion at the University and furthers Rowan University’s diversity mission statement.

“Rowan University promotes a diverse community that begins with students, faculty, administration and staff who respect each other and value each other's dignity. By identifying and removing barriers and fostering individual potential, Rowan will cultivate a community where all members can learn and grow. The Rowan University community is committed to a safe environment that encourages intellectual, academic, and social interaction and engagement across multiple intersections of identities. At Rowan University, creating and maintaining a caring community that embraces diversity in its broadest sense is among the highest priorities.”

This funding program is the result of a collaborative partnership between the President’s Office and the Office of Research.

Who is eligible?

All Rowan staff and faculty are eligible to receive a grant as individuals or as members of a team. Faculty research grants can be awarded to individuals or teams. There is no limit on how many people from the same department can submit proposals and there are no restrictions on how many individuals can be included in a single proposal.

How many grants will be awarded and for what amounts?

Up to $20,000 total will be awarded for faculty/staff research grants, with individual grant amounts of up to $5,000 each. The funding is for one calendar year and can be extended if sufficient justification is provided.

Funding Information

  • Funding is one-time only, and must be used during the calendar year in which it is awarded, unless otherwise specified in your award letter or after a justifiable extension is requested, based on specific project needs.
  • Awards can range in size depending on the scope of the project. There is no minimum award limit—maximum amount awarded per project is $5,000.
  • Funds must be transferable to a campus account. This includes departmental accounts.
  • Proposals must contain complete budget information outlining proposed project costs, timeline for expenditure and implementation, and all other sources of funding or sponsorship, if applicable for your project/program.

Application Procedure

To apply, please complete the application form online. As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a file containing your proposal. Directions for preparing the proposal are provided in the following section.

Proposal Preparation

You must submit a proposal of no more than four single-spaced pages (upload as requested in the online application) on a research topic that furthers the mission of Rowan University in the area of diversity and inclusion. The proposed work should not have been funded previously by any agency. No proposal longer than four pages will be considered. All pages of the proposal should have one-inch margins on all sides and all type should be 11 points in size or larger.

Proposal reviewers are not necessarily experts in all fields. Therefore, write the proposal clearly for the educated layperson.

Evaluation of Proposals

A subcommittee composed of faculty members who are nominated by the Rowan University Research Council will evaluate proposals.

The following criteria, with respective weights, will be used to screen applications and select recipients for the Rowan REDI faculty awards.

  • Objectives and Outcomes (30%): clarity and comprehensiveness of the research objective, methodology, timeline and desired outcomes.
  • Broader Impact (30%): addresses an institutional priority and/or societal/regional problem with high potential to affect change especially as it relates to diversity and inclusion. Can also address how the results of the research will be widely disseminated.
  • Potential for Future Development (40%): identification and demonstration of potential for extramural funding.

Reviewers will also consider the applicant’s record of scholarly achievement relevant to the feasibility of completing the work.

Download the REDI Faculty and Staff Budget Template.

The following sections of the proposal, while also required, are excluded from the four-page limit:

  • Detailed budget (one page maximum) — Funds can be requested for any approved university expense except for faculty salaries. Rounding all figures to the nearest dollar, please include line items for each of the following categories:
    • Personnel (total hours x hourly wages + benefits)
    • Supplies (please itemize)
    • Travel
    • Other
  • Literature cited in proposal or selected bibliography — Cite materials relevant to the proposed project.
  • Biographical sketch(es) — Provide a two-page biographical sketch for each investigator involved in the proposed project. Each sketch should include an academic history and a list of scholarly or creative achievements (publications, presentations, exhibitions, performances, etc.).

Please address questions to Beena Sukumaran at sukumaran@rowan.edu.

Follow