(CLOSED) ORAU-Directed Research and Development Program

Sponsor Name: 
Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Amount: 
$75,000.00
Description of the Award: 

Requirements to submit:

ORAU only allows designated representatives the ability to submit the concept projects. In order to submit a concept project, you must submit through this site.

Through collaborations between ORAU and ORAU-Member Universities, ORAU-Directed Research and Development (ODRD) harnesses innovation to strengthen and expand the scientific and technical capabilities of ORAU programs; enhance ORAU’s ability to address current and future customer needs; and supports university-engaged, applied research that enhances customer solutions.

ODRD creates a means to support additional exploratory, collaborative research opportunities with ORAU programs, and results in the greater potential for significant external research funding. ODRD competitively funds select innovative research-based approaches/solutions that fall within the intersection of core capabilities of ORAU and our member universities research interests.

Concepts are vetted against ODRD program requirements then matched with an internal ORAU Subject Matter Expert (SME). Jointly developed concepts then compete through the program phases.

  • Phase 1 funds a meeting to discuss the proposed project, to identify possible funding sources and outline roles and responsibilities.
  • Phase 2 funds a joint project producing "proof-of-concept"-type results leading to a white paper, conference presentation, and/or a technical publication with a clear proposal concept and identification of target funding sources.
  • Phase 3 funds preparation of a major joint proposal and results in submission of an external collaborative proposal.

After concept submission, ORAU reviews the concept for relevance and applicability to ORAU customer needs. ORAU will provide a disposition response to the submitting Councilor within 10 business days. If the concept aligns with ORAU needs and conversation results, the ORAU subject matter expert (SME) will lead development of a joint proposal with the faculty and become eligible to compete for subsequent Phases.

CONCEPT PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST

  1. Proposed concepts align with at least one of the following ORAU Core capability areas and focus on improving service to an ORAU customer:

    • Radiation detection/survey applications/modeling
    • Radiochemistry/mercury analyses
    • Health physics/radiation dosimetry
    • Beryllium LPTs/worker health
    • Data analytics/GIS applications
    • Epidemiology/exposure risk assessments
    • Safety culture/health communication
    • Atmospheric science
    • CO2 measurements
    • Nanotechnology related to emergency response
    • Emergency management/community resilience
    • REAC/TS radiation emergency/CBL techniques
    • Energy/nuclear small modular reactors
    • STEM Education & Workforce Development Program Evaluation & Impact
    • Logic Models & Longitudinal Studies
    • External Evaluation Studies of STEM Education Grant Proposals
    • Program/Project Survey Instruments
    • Information and knowledge management
    • Data Management Plans
    • Systematic Review of literature
    • Qualitative and Quantitative Research and Analysis
    • Peer Review Technology
  2. Proposed Concepts Consist of Partnership between Member Universities and ORAU.

    • Proposed concepts shall consist of partnerships between ORAU and member universities through Phase 2.
  3. ODRD projects should have potential to progress through Phase 3

    • Preliminary Discussion. Concepts which are well-aligned between ORAU capabilities and Member University research faculty result in an initial project conversation to explore concept development further.

      • Well-aligned concepts will be matched for further project discussion.
      • No funds awarded.
      • Fiscal Year 2018 Application Timeline: Open for Continuous Submission
    • Phase 1: Meeting. After preliminary discussion, an exploratory project meeting is held between ORAU program staff and university partner to discuss the proposed project, identify possible funding sources, and outline roles and responsibilities. The outcome of the Phase 1 meeting will determine if the project will progress to Phase 2 or Phase 3 funding, or if the project scope requires revision.

      • Up to $5,000 in travel grant funds may be requested to conduct the exploratorymeetingat ORAU or at the partner university (somerestrictions apply; Universitiestravel for the meeting is paid by an ORAU travel grant and is based on Universitytravel rules).
      • Fiscal Year 2018 Application Timeline: Open for Continuous Submission
    • Phase 2: Joint ORAU/University Project. For Phase 2 competition, an ORAU-prepared application is submitted. Phase 2 projects are innovative research projects that enhance ORAU’s core scientific and technical competencies in partnership with a member university. The project should be achievable in 3 to 6 months, but no longer than 1 year, and is designed to produce "proof-of-concept"-type results leading to a white paper, conference presentation, and/or a technical publication with a clear proposal concept and identification of target funding sources.

    Criteria for Phase 2 Selection:

    Strengthens Competency of ORAU Program: Potential value of the enhanced service or product to our customers; strengthens technical differentiation/innovation of product/service that enhances our competitiveness, value added to ORAU by association with thought leaders.

    External Research Funding Potential: Preliminary identification of customer for unsolicited proposal or expected RFP and dollar value of the possible external third party award. Plans to submit an external proposal with a value above $1M will be viewed favorably.

    Strengthens Value Proposition for University Partner: Potential to build long-term collaboration between ORAU experts and university faculty; provides funded research support for student/faculty, university gains access to unique ORAU assets.

    Miscellaneous criteria: Technical viability of the proposed research approach, expands our thought leadership (e.g., team commits to peer-reviewed paper, technical presentation, etc.), appropriateness of the size of project to the time and budget available. Include any additional comments you believe should be considered.

      • Up to $75,000 to be shared between both partners; funds granted to Universitiescover direct charges only (ODRD program support 3 awards per fiscal year)
      • Fiscal Year 2018 Application Timeline: Joint ORAU/University submissions due by noonMarch 26, 2018; Funding awarded in April/May 2018
    • Phase 3: Joint Proposal. Support for preparation of a major joint proposal. Preliminary studies performed in one-year projects form the basis of external proposals for significant funding. Results in submission of an external collaborative proposal.

      • Funding support for preparation of a major joint proposal.
      • Funds based on need and as agreed upon.
      • Fiscal Year 2018 Application Timeline: Open for continuous submission.
  4. Funding and Time commitments

    • The university will receive and process any awarded funds as Grants from a nonprofit foundation; without indirect or overhead charges.
    • The university works with the project’s timeline, as outlined in the Phase descriptions above.
Limit (Number of applicants permitted per institution): 
1
Sponsor Final Deadline: 
Mar 26, 2018
OSVPR Application or NOI Instructions: 

Proposed concepts, no more than 2 paragraphs, should be uploaded in InfoReady.

To be considered as a Penn State institutional nominee, please submit a notice of intent by the date provided directly below.
This limited submission is in downselect: 
Penn State may only submit a specific number of proposals to this funding opportunity. The number of NOIs received require that an internal competition take place, thus, a downselect process has commenced. No Penn State researchers may apply to this opportunity outside of this downselect process. To apply for this limited submission, please use this link:
OSVPR Downselect Deadline: 
Thursday, March 1, 2018 - 4:00pm