Call for Proposals: T-REX GEO-SEED GRANT PROGRAM

T-REX GEO-SEED Grant Program: Designed to help build St. Louis’ geospatial research and development portfolio | Up to $20K available per proposal

Due: May 15, 2021  |  5:00 p.m. CT

Funding available: up to $20,000 per proposal

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Program Details:

T-REX is a collaborative innovation center focused on cultivating, retaining, and attracting new economy talent, increasing the impact of cutting-edge research and development on the economy, and expanding the diversity of the tech workforce in the St. Louis region.  One of the primary goals of T-REX is to connect researchers and research assets with industry and government to solve pressing, complex challenges in high-value areas that impact employers and society on a local and global scale. The geospatial/location science industry is a high-value economic cluster development opportunity that is a special focus of T-REX as part of its overall support of advanced technology innovation.

As part of its focus on geospatial innovation and increasing the development of cutting-edge geospatial research within the region, T-REX invites applications for its new T-REX GEO-SEED grant program, designed to help build the region’s geospatial research and development portfolio.

For this funding opportunity, T-REX is seeking proposals in cutting-edge geospatial research and development, or in K-16 geospatial teacher education and curricula development.  Proposals should demonstrate the ability to build external connections (with industry, federal agencies, civic organizations, etc.) to broadly impact the economy and support overall geospatial cluster development goals for the St. Louis region.

Successful T-REX GEO-SEED proposals will have these characteristics:

    1.) Collaborative effort with participation from at least one university researcher and another organization (university, industry, government, non-profit).
    2.) Focus on the application of geospatial innovation to solving complex problems or curriculum development in any of the following areas:

    • Advanced Analytics and Modeling
    • Data Management
    • Modern Software Engineering
    • Extended Reality
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Future of Work
    3.) Research and related activities anticipated to lead to the submission of external grant applications and/or proposals for government and/or industry-funded R&D partnerships. In other words, the proposal must demonstrate strong potential for sustained external funding and economic impact. The proposal narrative should describe:

      a.) Potential for continued external grant opportunities and funding;
      b.) Industry demand and funding;
      c.) Potential for an eventual commercialization leading to a new venture that will create jobs in the St. Louis region;
      d.) Meaningful external engagement with private, public, or non-profit entities;
      e.) Meaningful distinction and leadership in the field;
      f.) Budget is efficient and accurately reflects the needs of the proposed activities;
      g.) Budget leverages additional resources;
      h.) Research team that is well organized and qualified to conduct the proposed activities;
      i.) Reasonable timeframe and milestones;
      j.) Success in ensuring matching funds for the effort from within the institution or elsewhere.

Resources Offered:

    In addition to award funding, T-REX will provide services and support for seed grant research including, but not limited to: space within the T-REX facility in downtown St. Louis, conference and meeting space, access and mentorship from T-REX’s Geospatial Advisory Committee and industry partners, post-seed grant proposal development support, connections to faculty and researchers from partner institutions.

    While the use of funds is not being limited to specific types of expenses, these funds are not intended to substantially cover faculty salaries. Rather, the fund’s aim is to cover the costs necessary to jumpstart activities that have high promise for external funding in the future. The review process will include a close examination of expenses, such as salaries/wages, materials and supplies, travel, and other support costs. Funding for graduate student support is allowable.  University indirect costs are not supported in this program but can be shown as a match to the proposal.

    Matching commitments are not required but are appreciated so that the fund’s impact can be maximized.

    Review of applications will take place in May/June 2021, with award announcements by June/July 2021.

T-REX GEO-SEED Proposal Preparation:

  1. Cover page must include the following:
      a.) Project Name;
      b.) Name and Title of Lead Researcher;
      c.) Name(s) and Title(s) of Partner(s) to the Proposal;
      d.) University, College and Department of PI and Partner(s).
  2. Abstract (maximum 250 words).
  3. Description of activities including timeline and milestones (not to exceed four pages).
  4. Brief description of geospatial economic development alignment and potential for economic impact (not to exceed one page).
  5. Timetable for the seed grant activities (not to exceed one page).
  6. Statement on potential for external (governmental, foundation, corporate, NGO, etc.) funding (not to exceed two pages):
      a.) List any existing external funding commitments which currently support the applicants’ research activities that relate to the proposal;
      b.) List any identified external funding programs/prospects that the proposer intends to pursue.
  7. Faculty and team members–include short CVs of investigators (not to exceed two pages each).
  8. Letters of support from partners that describe their role(s) on the project and any matching funds commitment to the project from the partner(s).
  9. Bibliography of relevant scholarship related to the project.
  10. Budget for requested funding, up to $20,000. Please provide a simple spreadsheet along with a budget narrative outlining each budget item.

Proposals must be emailed by May 15, 2021, 5:00 pm CT, as a pdf attachment, with a brief email cover letter to:

Mark Tatgenhorst, Director, Geospatial Innovation Center at T-REX: [email protected]

and

Patricia Hagen, President, T-REX: [email protected]

Questions about the program can be directed to the individuals above, and will be accepted via email only, up to May 1, 2021.