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Fiscal Year 2012 Request for Proposal (RFP)

Released April 22, 2011

Submissions in response to this request are hereby invited. The Provost’s Office will provide $100,000 in FY 2012 to fund successful proposals. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis using the guidelines for preparing proposals detailed below as the review criteria. Awards range in amounts from about $3,000 - $15,000.

GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS

The central goal of the International Strategic Initiatives grant program is to attract external resources to support University internationalization objectives as reflected in Office of International Initiatives (OII), College, and University Strategic Plans.  ISI awards are intended to serve as “seed grants” to raise funds needed to finance activities articulated in the ISI proposal. Therefore, priority consideration will be given to proposals which specify plans to apply for grants and contracts from both public and private sector funding entities such as the United States Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, Ford Foundation, Coca Cola Foundation, Gates Foundation, and others.  Individual faculty projects, stand alone study abroad programs and simple exchange relationships that do not include funded programmatic and or research components are outside the scope of this RFP.

All submissions, small or large, new or on-going, must have the signed endorsement of the Dean of the College/School.  Inter-disciplinary submissions involving more than one college are encouraged. While all proposals must have an international focus, they should elaborate any relevant local and national linkages to the proposal’s goals and objectives.  Competitive submissions will incorporate participation of a critical mass of accomplished faculty; include plans for integrating proposed activities into teaching, service and/or research; and articulate how the program supports the goals of the university strategic plan and will enhance internationalization of the University.

Examples of successful past submissions may be obtained from OII. Additionally, a searchable database of previous ISI awards may be viewed at: http://oia.gsu.edu/Search/SearchISI.aspx

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVES (ISI) PROPOSALS

Submissions should not exceed three single-spaced pages of text (excluding biographical summaries) and should include the following:

    1. A brief background statement addressing the points above. 
    2. A clear statement of the goals, objectives and expected outcomes.
    3. A plan for leveraging external resources including a list of institutions to be targeted.
    4. Plans and likelihood for sustaining the programs or activities initiated through the proposal and for establishing a long-term relationship with implementing partner institutions. 
    5. A discussion of how the college/university will benefit.
    6. A detailed budget and justification showing how ISI funds will be used and expected contributions from the department/college and external sources if applicable.  (Note: ISI funds should not be budgeted to cover administrative personnel costs and should be expended in the fiscal year of the award).
    7. Biographical summaries or brief CV’s of key GSU and non-GSU personnel.

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTS

Recipients are required to submit a brief annual progress report using the new online reporting form.  The report should be submitted at the end of the fiscal year in which the funds are awarded and should include: an assessment of progress towards achieving project objectives and leveraging external funding. The report should also indicate how the funds were used and assess whether or not the investment of additional ISI resources is merited.

Annual progress reports for ISI proposals requesting second or third-year funding must be received prior to or with the proposal submission.  These reports also should include a justification for continued ISI support including an assessment of prospects, if any, for obtaining external funding.

Once ISI funding has ended, a final report should summarize grant accomplishments, outcomes and include a description of any long-term externally funded programs that have resulted from ISI support.

SUBMISSION, REVIEW AND APPROVAL TIMETABLE

Proposals are due in the Office of International Initiatives, Suite 410, 10 Park Place, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2011.  Both hard copy and electronic submissions will be accepted in fulfillment of this due date.  However, signed hard copy versions, including the dean’s endorsement letter, for all electronic submissions must be received in OII not more than one week later. Electronic submissions should be sent to Ms. Kike Ehigiator at kehigiator@gsu.edu.  Each proposal must designate a contact person and the principal investigator, if different from the contact person.

ISI proposals will be reviewed by a committee chaired by the Associate Provost for  International Initiatives and comprised of college International Program Directors or international lead persons designated by the dean of the college.

Awards will be announced no later than August 1, 2011.