Limited Submission Opportunity: Oak Ridge Associated Universities Innovation Partnerships Program FY25

Applications due Dec. 5, 2024

This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.

Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC, collaboratively) may submit two applications to the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Innovation Partnerships Program.

Overview

The Innovation Partnerships Program is structured to build stronger relationships between university members and ORAU collaborators by focusing on research and education topics that align well with ORAU’s expertise and current priorities. Innovation Partnerships grants provide up to $4,000 (indirect costs not allowed) to support an in-person or virtual event that involves participants from more than one ORAU member institution, including students.

Applications should focus on focused workshops/conferences that highlight Vanderbilt University’s strategic STEM research and education growth areas, and where collaborations with other member universities would add value.  Such events may include visits to an ORAU institution by a renowned speaker, conferences or workshops with a focused theme, or a technology transfer/business plan competition. ORAU is specifically interested in events that can bring more thought leadership in building a national strategy for STEM education and workforce capacity building. Member universities are encouraged to collaborate around this topic in anticipation of federal funding initiatives.

• Grant focus areas and example topics
  • Applications must be focused on one or more of the following FY 2025 ORAU core focus areas:
    • Improving Our Behavioral Health– Examples topics include health equity, social determinants of health, stress, loneliness, cultural approaches to healthcare, stigma, substance use disorders, and population health.
    • The Post-Pandemic World– Example topics include remote working and learning, worker vulnerability, organizational and workforce resilience, disease surveillance, health communication, healthcare surge, and telehealth.
    • Implementing Innovative Technologies– Example topics include data safety and cybersecurity, privacy, the digital economy, the digital divide, cross-border data sharing, and ethics.
    • Our Changing Planet – Example topics include sustainability, environmental justice, clean energy, renewable energy, extreme weather events, water and air quality, ecosystems, urbanization and the built environment, and community resilience. 

Criteria and Eligibility

• The event must occur by Sept. 30, 2025.
• Potential impact of the event, including the number of institutions or participants.
• Participation by more than one ORAU institution is required.
• Student participation is considered a positive factor.
• New events are preferred over ongoing or annual events with an established financial model.
• Preference will be given to events in STEM disciplines.
• A representative from ORAU must be invited to the event.
• The event must be a minimum of four hours in length
• Application must be focused on one or more of the FY 2025 ORAU Core Focus Areas.
• An ORAU subject matter expert will serve as a collaborator with the VU PI. The collaboration between the university PI and ORAU SME is not required to be in place before applying to the program.

Internal Application Process

Interested faculty should submit the below items in a single file (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2024.  Submissions should reference the program name in the subject line of the email.

1. Brief event description (2 page maximum) including
   • the date and location of the event
   • other participating ORAU Member Institutions
   • ORAU Core Focus Area
   • purpose and scope of the event
   • anticipated outcomes
   • summary budget
2. NIH Biosketch or brief CV (5 pages max)
3. Letter of support from department chair/center director;
   • Letter must additionally acknowledge that this grant does not allow indirect costs.**
     • This statement can be used/modified within the letter: “The Department recognizes that this grant does not allow indirect costs and will commit to covering any associated indirect costs per applicable school/institutional policy.”

Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.

**Process for cost-sharing typically coordinated at the departmental/school level and approved by department chair and/or dean. Please consult LSO@vanderbilt.edu for further guidance.