Issued July 2016

MAJOR SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT PROGRAM

Office of the Provost

FY 2016-17

Program Description

The Office of the Provost will continue the program to address the ongoing need to purchase major pieces of new scientific equipment for research labs that are outside the financial capacity of individual units to fund. Once traditional start-up funding has expired, it is challenging to identify resources to replace aging equipment, to upgrade to equipment with enhanced technology, and to purchase equipment for new needs as research programs mature. This program is designed to support the ongoing success of Purdue’s faculty and to support their discovery and creative endeavors. Program awards will require matching funds that will allow academic units to leverage their funds so that sufficient resources are available for these major equipment purchases.

Criteria for funding consideration will include:

  • The equipment can be for an individual or for multi-user use.
  • Awards will not be available to support equipment for core research facilities.
  • Matching funds of at least one to one must be identified and committed.
  • The equipment must be of immediate or near-term need.
  • Each college/school may submit requests for up to two pieces of equipment,each with a total cost of $100,000 or more and up to an additional two pieces of equipment,each with a total cost ofless than $100,000.
  • Awards for each piece of equipment will not exceed $100,000 for an individual researcher (total equipment cost of $200,000+). Awards for a multi-user request will be based on the breath of usage including number of users and potential campus impact; multi-user awards will not exceed $250,000 (total equipment cost of $500,000+). Matching funds for award amounts can exceed the one to one requirement.

Requests, including matching funds, should be limited to the purchase and installation of the equipment, maintenance contracts typically included with the equipment, and non-capital required accessories. Proposals should not include other costs, such as space renovation, extended maintenance contracts or any personnel costs.

This program is not intended to replace other internal funds committed for matching external awards for major equipment or for internal or external funds already allocated for the equipment.

Financial Resources

The Major Scientific Equipment Program has an annual budget of $1,000,000. At least a one to one matching contribution will be required by participating units.

Application and Review Process

Proposals for Major Scientific Equipment awardsshould be submitted to the attention of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs by March 1 each year.A call for proposals will be issued by January 15.

Proposals should include the following information and should not exceed 4 pages in total(See Appendix A):

1)A detailed description of the equipment with cost components itemized;

2)Explanation outlining the need for the equipment and plan for its use;

3)Name, department and contact information for submitters of the proposal and anticipated users of the equipment;

4)Sources and amounts of matching;

5)Signatures of department/school head and college/school dean.

College and school deans will each nominate one person to serve on a review committee chaired by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. The review committee will rank proposals; the final selection will be made by the Provost. Awards will be announced by April 15 each year.

For questions on proposal submission, please contact the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost. Proposals should be submitted to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Office of the Provost at the following email address: . The email Subject line should read “Major Scientific Equipment.”