Funding to help faculty design and develop curriculum, purchase scientific equipment or host a professional conference is available from many sources, according to Laurie Treleven, University director of grants/sponsored projects (Metro/Flor). “Many faculty are now applying for institutional rather than research grants. State and federal grants can help faculty teach more creatively,” said Treleven.

These kinds of grants benefit FDU students, too, by giving them the chance to work with state-of-the art research equipment or by providing them with scholarships. A recently awarded National Science Foundation grant demonstrates this goal.

Patricia Melloy, cell biology (Flor), won a major instrumentation grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to purchase a fluorescence microscopy system this year. Her co-investigators are Eric Iannacone, physiology and director, allied health sciences (Flor), and Michael Avaltroni, chemistry and chair, chemistry (Flor). This equipment will enable the students to participate in the research of these three faculty members while learning to use this state-of-the-art equipment.

Michael Avaltroni, center, chemistry and chair, chemistry (Flor), points out a particular item projected on the monitor from the fluorescence microscope (positioned by the wall) to Eric Iannacone, left, physiology and director, allied health sciences (Flor), and Patricia Melloy, right, cell biology (Flor).

How can faculty find these grants? The Office of Grants and Sponsored Research (Web page http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=1372) works closely with faculty interested in applying for grants. Regular announcements of new grants are sent to faculty as they are released. Faculty should contact the office for information at 201-692-2221.

In addition to applying for grants, faculty who have fully developed their research ideas can be sponsored to attend NSF workshops or meet with NSF project officers in Washington, D.C., at their invitation. More information is available from the FDU grants office. “On average, we submit about 24 proposals a year and are awarded about four grants annually,” said Treleven.

To promote interest in research grants, the University Provost’s Seed Grants offer support to faculty of up to $4,000 per individual or up to $5,000 per team for pilot research projects to collect preliminary data or advance existing research protocols. Grant recipients are required to submit a grant application to a state or federal agency after receiving the grant. Faculty can apply for seed grants in the spring and fall.

John Schiemann, political science (Flor), and a seed grant recipient, said, “I’ve started experiments with a colleague at Rutgers that will jump start my research in a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary area between neuroscience and political science.” He intends to submit a proposal to the NSF this summer.

Geoffrey Weinman, dean, Becton College (Flor), said, “I have really encouraged faculty to develop and submit interdisciplinary projects, and we have seen unique collaborations from psychology and theater faculty, education and science faculty and social sciences and business faculty.”

Faculty who apply for grants are honored annually at a Grants Reception hosted by the University provost. This year’s reception is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, in the Orangerie, College at Florham Library.

March 2008

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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