A key mission of the University of Utah is to advance rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry. Interdisciplinary inquiry is necessary to solve many complex societal problems. Despite the urgent need for productive interdisciplinary collaborations, working across traditional disciplines and university silos can be challenging. The National Academies Committee on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research produced a report in 2004 outlining the barriers researchers face in pursuing interdisciplinary research, and recommending innovative policies and structures institutions can adopt to remove these barriers. The recommendations included: 1) exploring alternative administrative structures and business models that facilitate interdisciplinary research across traditional organizational structures; and 2) allocating resources from high-level administration to interdisciplinary units, to further their formation and continued operation. The University of Utah is a model for the successful implementation of these recommendations. From providing seed funding for interdisciplinary research to supporting interdisciplinary centers and institutes, the University of Utah is creating an environment where interdisciplinary research can flourish.
Thanks to this institutional commitment, the Brain Institute is a thriving trans-departmental organization that provides essential infrastructure to develop and sustain interdisciplinary collaborations within the neurosciences. The core of this infrastructure is an executive team comprised of Ph.D. scientists, communications experts, and university administrators. The executive team provides the following support services to Brain Institute members and interdisciplinary research teams:
Collaborative Grant Preparation and Administration
Brain Institute members and interdisciplinary research teams are encouraged to submit their grants through the Brain Institute. Support services range from preparing electronic grant applications to optimizing budgets to assisting with writing portions of the grant. During fiscal year 2009, the Brain Institute staff played significant roles in the preparation and submission of nine grants totaling ~$21M in requested funds, including several NIH center grants; NIH Recovery Act Limited Competition opportunities; an NCRR high-end instrumentation grant; and grants to private foundations. The Brain Institute staff is adept at both electronic and paper submissions, and maintains an excellent working relationship with an Office of Sponsored Projects officer, who is onsite two days a week.
Successful grants submitted through the Brain Institute will be administered by the Brain Institute. Award support services include interfacing with the Office of Sponsored Projects and Grants & Contracts Accounting; preparing quarterly budget projections; and ensuring compliance with the terms and requirements of each grant.
To discuss your needs for grant support, contact the Associate Director of the Brain Institute, Amy Davis, at (801) 587-1222.
Funding Roadmaps for Interdisciplinary Research Teams
In order to increase funding for neuroscience research at the University of Utah, the Brain Institute will work with the leaders of interdisciplinary research teams to identify federal, foundation and corporate funding opportunities, and to construct roadmaps for obtaining the most substantial awards. The Brain Institute staff will track progress along the roadmaps; send reminders of upcoming deadlines; and stay abreast of newly announced opportunities.
