Ignite

Application Instructions

Faculty must FIRST submit online application form.

Documentation Format:

Minimum 0.5-inch margins, Arial Font, 11-point or larger. Proposals can be single or double spaced. Figures and figure legends count towards page limitations. A separate bibliography section (no page limit) can be used for references cited in the body of the proposal.

Proposals must include the following sections, in order:

I. Introduction & Significance (Limit: 1 page)

    a) Introduction: Briefly describe the proposed study in non-technical terms. This information will be used to help identify qualified experts to review the proposal.

    b) Significance: Describe the societal, scholarly, or scientific significance of the proposed research.  For example, explain how your proposal will help solve a problem or answer an outstanding question in your field, eliminate a barrier in your field, or how it might improve any methods, concepts, or knowledge if your project succeeds.

II. Innovation/Creativity (Limit: 1 page)
To what extent is your approach novel, interesting, or different?  For example, explain how your proposal differs from, or seeks to alter, ideas, concepts, methods, or approaches in the way your field thinks or conducts research.

III. Investigator/Scholar (Limit: 1 page)
Make it clear why your particular skill set, knowledge base, and area of expertise is best for accomplishing the goals of your proposal.  If there are other significant collaborators/contributors on your proposal, their role(s) can also be described here.

IV. Research Plan (Limit: 4 pages, including figures)
Describe your research plan which should include a description of the aims and goals of your project. <sup>1

1</sup>References-cited/bibliography goes in a separate section (VIII) and does not count towards the four-page limit.

V. Leveraging Plan (Limit: 1 page)
Ignite proposals should contain a Leveraging Plan which will be weighted equally to the Research Plan when reviewing the proposal.  In the leveraging plan, the PI/Scholar will illustrate how the supported project will contribute to future funding.  Examples of a leverage plan could include, but are not limited to:

    a) Details on how project data relate to an aim (or aims) of a future external grant;

    b) Indicate how project will contribute to a publication to show productivity for a grant or renewal;

    c) Describe direct relationship to a specific call for proposals (e.g., a Foundation call for applications, specific NSF program, an RFA or PA from NIH).  If possible, a link or URL to the official announcement should be included;

    d) Description of discussions with program officials at a Foundation or awarding agency (e.g., NIH/NSF) related to the project;

    e) Summary statement from a previously unfunded application for external funding, indicating how the Ignite award will be used for resubmission;

    f) Positive reviews of a publication indicating need for additional experiments;

    g) Letter of support from a funding agency or collaborator(s) indicating potential of the project for future funding;

    h) A description of how an Ignite award provides access to a resource or otherwise overcomes a barrier at Boston College that currently prevents you from competing for external funding for the project.

VI. Itemized Budget & Budget Justification (Limit: 1 page)
This section should provide an itemized budget along with a description of how the funds will be used relative to the Research Plan.

VII. Curriculum vitae or equivalent (No page limit)
At a maximum, this section should highlight professional achievements relevant to the proposed work.

VIII. Bibliography (No page limit)