Changes in UIF guidelines for next round sent to deans

New revised guidelines for the second round of University Initiative Fund awards will be issued in mid-May. They will be sent to deans, directors and chairs and will be available on the UIF web site at http://www.washington.edu/uif/.

A few key changes have been made in the guidelines, according to Vice Provost for Research Alvin Kwiram, chair of the UIF Working Group, which reviewed and revised the guidelines.

“ One of the main concerns that surfaced after the first round of UIF was that the emphasis on a small number of larger proposals combined with the constraint that all proposals had to be interdisciplinary essentially eliminated some units from effective participation,” he said.

To address that concern the new guidelines permit up to one third of the funds to be awarded for unit- or discipline-specific proposals that also are consistent with University-wide goals. This will enable schools, colleges and administrative units to compete effectively for their highest priority initiatives that may not involve other units. For example, a college could submit a $150,000 proposal to reshape some aspect of its programs. Deans must demonstrate substantive consultation with faculty in the development of unit-specific proposals. Some further procedural details on these issues are being refined in consultation with the deans, including the due date for unit-specific proposals, and will be communicated at a later date.

The remainder of the funds will be distributed according to guidelines similar to those used in the first round, with slightly less restrictive interdisciplinary emphasis. “ There will still be a strong preference for proposals that cross unit boundaries,” Kwiram said, “ although, in exceptional circumstances, a proposal that is focussed within a larger unit could be considered.”

The UIF program, which allocates permanent funds, will work in tandem with the newly established Tools for Transformation program, which will provide temporary seed money for new projects.

“ All of this does not lessen the pain felt by the units as they are required to make biennial cuts,” Kwiram said. “ Nevertheless, there is an underlying sense on the part of most knowledgeable observers that this program represents an essential element for the renewal of the institution and sustaining its excellence over the long term.”

The 10-member UIF Working Group revised the guidelines after consulting extensively with the UW community and the Board of Regents. ¶