SC EPSCoR/IDeA

Competitive Centers Development and
Major Research Initiatives

The goal of the Competitive Centers Development and Major Research Initiatives (CCD/MRI) initiative is to increase the participation and competitiveness of the state's researchers in federally-funded multi-investigator centers and other large-scale programs.  It is expected that CCD/MRI awards will assist in the development of competitive proposals to National Science Foundation (NSF) centers and other large-scale program competitions.  (For more information on NSF Research Centers, please visit their website.  Other similar programs, including National Institutes of Health Program Projects, are also eligible.)

SC EPSCoR/IDeA will provide CCD/MRI awards, up to a maximum of $10,000 per proposal, to enable faculty to: (a) begin preliminary discussions among current and potential collaborators; (b) seek external consultation and assistance by experienced researchers and funded-center directors; (c) develop research partnerships among universities, industry, and national laboratories; (d) begin project development and dissemination; (e) meet with potential collaborators and/or program officers for targeted center funding; and (f) purchase scientific equipment and/or instrumentation that will aid in the gathering of preliminary data.  The targeted source of extramural support must be clearly identified in the CCD/MRI proposal.

Faculty receiving CCD/MRI support are required to use results from CCD/MRI funded activities to submit at least one large-scale federal research center proposal for a minimum total of $200,000 per year for three years.

Proposals requesting support may include collaborative projects among the state's PhD-granting universities and predominately undergraduate institutions.  Collaborations outside of South Carolina are permitted, though funding for these activities must be provided as a cost-share to a CCD/MRI proposal.

Please see the solicitation for more specific information, proposal guidelines, and submission processes.

Solicitation: Competitive Centers Development and Major Research Initiatives Program (pdf)
Effective: August 5, 2008
Cover Sheet: Standard (doc)
Budget Page(s): Standard (doc)