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Conference Support Program Guidelines

Sections:

• Programmatic and Other Priorities
• Size of Grants and Requirements
• Applications
• Guidelines for the Evaluation of Proposals
• Questions about the Conference Support Program?

Programmatic and Other Priorities:

The Office of Research (OR) recognizes the importance of conferences and research workshops as vehicles in the development of the research agenda of the University, and has designated funds for their support.

The goal of the Conference Support Program is to promote interdisciplinary research and to strengthen the presence of UCI research and scholarship in the academic world at large. To these ends, preference will be given to conferences and research workshops that represent new initiatives, transcending local and disciplinary boundaries. Special consideration will be given to activities that potentially have national or international significance. Applicants are encouraged to explain the potential impact of the activity as part of the application process.

Two program formats are eligible for funding:

• Conferences designed for the presentation of research results.
• Research workshops structured to themselves produce research.

Under both program formats, we encourage participation by a range of scholars at all levels of career development, including graduate students.

 

Size of Grants and Requirements:

Conference Support Program grants from OR typically range from $1,000 to $5,000. It is expected that OR support will be leveraged. Organizers are required to seek additional funding from other sources (Department, School, and/or outside granting agencies). OR funds must be spent in accordance with all applicable UC rules and regulations.

OR funds may be used to cover conference publicity, speaker honoraria, travel, lodging and per diem expenses related to the event. Costs may not exceed maximum university allowances. OR funds may not be used for expenses that are normally included in registration fees such as facility rental costs, banquets, refreshments, or entertainment.

Award recipients are required to complete a final report on the expenditure of OR funds and the benefits derived from the conference.

 

Applications:

Applicants for the Conference Support Program must be members of the UCI Academic Senate. The deadline for submitting an application form to the Vice Chancellor for Research is the first Friday in January. Proposals should be submitted in advance of the proposed event. Conference/workshop support requests that have received repeated funding through this Program will be given a lower priority. Proposers will be notified of the outcome of their application no later than January 31.

Applicants are asked to indicate the time period and venue for the event. The preliminary budget, which includes the expected nature and scale of campus support, should specify which foundations or funding agencies the organizers plan to approach, or have approached, and the resulting commitment of support. Mounting a major conference is a demanding project; organizers are urged to identify commitments of staff support from a department or other office.

 

Guidelines for the Evaluation of Proposals:

The UCI Academic Senate Council on Research, Computing and Libraries (CORCL) will serve as advisory to the Vice Chancellor for Research and has adopted the following guidelines for evaluating Conference Support Program proposals:

1. How well does the proposal meet the research goals and standards of the program? Is the conference or workshop innovative? Is it timely? Significant? Clearly conceived?
2. Will the conference or workshop enhance the research mission of UCI? Will it increase the visibility of the campus as a center for research?
3. Will the impact of the conference or workshop reach beyond the campus? Will it reach beyond a single discipline?
4. Is the leadership clear and committed? Is there indication that the project will be effectively organized and implemented?
5. Will the proposed event benefit different levels of the University research community?
6. Is the proposed budget realistic? Is there indication of campus or other support? Do registration fees fully cover the facility rental, meals, and entertainment costs of the event?
7. Finally, is this a conference that could not be supported readily through existing departmental structures, organized research programs, or grants? Given the demands on funds greater than our resources, how can OR support of the proposed event be justified?

 

Questions about the Conference Support Program?

For additional information, contact:

Marie L. Richman,
Director, Administration and Research Policy
(949) 824-2898
marie.richman@rgs.uci.edu

 

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Last Updated: January 7, 2008

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