2023 SensorLab Seed Grants - Supplemental call

Oct. 5, 2022

Supplemental call

Due Date: October 28, 2022
Limit on Proposals per PI: An individual may participate as PI on one proposal per cycle.
Earliest Start Date: November 15th, 2022

End Date: All funds must be spent by June 30, 2023

Description:
The Healthcare Technology Innovation Lab – SensorLab, a new flexible space configured for a variety of projects, including XR studies, wearable sensor development, closed-loop sensing studies, and group dynamics studies, is pleased to announce the 2023 SensorLab Seed Grants.
The SensorLab Seed Grants are designed to support “sensor-based” research, by either supporting innovative and impactful research using sensors, or to augment current research through the addition of sensors. Projects should utilize SensorLab equipment and facilities (for more information about equipment available and the SensorLab please visit http://sensorlab.arizona.edu).
These grants support investigators to share their expertise with the SensorLab, with the goal of fully utilizing and expanding SensorLab capabilities, and conducting world-class, sensor-based research. Applicants are expected to leverage the SensorLab as a user-centered and innovative facility with sensors to measure human behavior, examine real world and virtual (AR/VR) interactions between humans and the environment, deploy closed-loop applications, or study a range of research questions involving human computer interaction (HCI). Projects may be conducted either in-situ (at the SensorLab) or by remote deployment of sensors with data collection in “the wild” using SensorLab equipment outside the facilities (e.g., campus, classrooms, smart home and clinical settings, etc.) or a combination of in situ and remote. Projects should have the potential to catalyze new extramural research and build new collaborations.
The award will support up to $50,000 in staff, student wages, consultants, supplies, travel and equipment/sensors specific to the project to be used in SensorLab. In exceptional cases, with interdisciplinary multiple PIs, up to $100,000 may be requested. All equipment/sensors requested will normally remain part of SensorLab inventory after the conduction of the project.

1. Expected Outcomes: SensorLab Seed Grants aim to support innovative and collaborative research with a clear and integrated use of SensorLab infrastructure, personnel, and equipment. The proposed research should also function as seed fund/pilot initiative to acquire larger, high impact external support.

2. Eligibility: The SensorLab Seed Grants are open to all personnel considered principal investigators (as defined at https://research.arizona.edu/administration/getting-started/principal-i… ). Projects must use existing SensorLab equipment and/or facilities, and request additional equipment funds for the proposed research, if necessary. Preference will be given to proponents not previously awarded any Sensorlab grants (SeedGrants, Student Grants or Sabbatical Faculty grants)

3. Other Program Details
a. Proposal-Related Information: 
SensorLab Seed Grant proposals must be submitted by e-mail as a single PDF to barton@arizona.edu and gustavo@arizona.edu 5:00 PM on October 28, 2022.  See below for other proposal and submission requirements.

b. Reporting Requirements: Within one month of an award’s end date, the PI must submit a final report via e-mail as a PDF file. The report will describe activities performed and success in meeting project milestones, and progress towards submitting an external grant.

4. Review and Selection Processes: Reviewers will consider the following criteria:

1. The proposed research leverages SensorLab capabilities, promotes innovative usage of the SensorLab infrastructure/equipment, and presents potential for development of new technologies or applications;
2. The proposed approach, including research questions, strategy and methods, is sound;
3. The research challenges or shifts current research or clinical practice paradigms by utilizing novel concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, sensors, or interventions, the proposal is unique, noteworthy and has potential to advance existing knowledge;
4. The team members are well-qualified to conduct the proposed research;
5. Student(s), staff and collaborators who will participate in the project are identified and preselected. Needed equipment/sensors can be procured in a timeframe that will not delay completion of the proposed effort;
6. Completion of the proposed milestones will position the applicant to competitively pursue external and larger scale grants.
Selection will be based on review recommendations and alignment with University strategic plan.

5. Application and Submission Instructions: Seed grant proposals must be submitted in PDF by email (to barton@arizona.edu AND gustavo@arizona.edu) by 5:00 PM on October, 28 , 2022.

a. Narrative (maximum 3 pages)
o Summary of short- and long-term research milestones revealing a specific strategy for including the Sensorlab as key part of the current and future research, and as a contributing factor to securing external funding via grants or industry agreements.
o Proposed activities corresponding to each milestone
o Discussion of at least one extramural funding opportunity: Include a link to the
RFA/RFP/solicitation (or program if the solicitation is not yet available). Give the grant/program title, agency name, and submission deadline, and/or private foundation funding priorities.
o References (included within the three-page limit)
b. PI(s) CV or agency-specific biographical sketch
c. Budget and budget justification for costs in the following category:
• Staff (salary/ERE)
• Students
• Consultant fees
• Additional equipment not currently available in the SensorLab, but to be used specifically for the proposed research
• General supplies
• Travel support
• Note: No faculty support allowed

The budget and business justification must be evaluated by the business manager/accountant of the proponents’ department/unit PRIOR to submission to ensure that the budget includes all necessary costs (e.g., ERE, tax, shipping, etc.) .
Questions:
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to contact Jennifer Barton (barton@arizona.edu) and Gustavo Almeida (gustavo@arizona.edu) to discuss their proposals before submission.

SensorLab Seed Grants - Supplemental call