Catalyst Boot Camps

The Catalyst Boot Camp program is divided into two tracks that will run concurrently: Catalyst for STEM + Social Sciences (STEM+) and Catalyst for the Arts and Humanities (A+H).

Applications are now being solicited for the 2021 Catalyst Boot Camp. Deadline to apply is Monday, March 15, 2021, by 5:00 p.m.

Catalyst 2021 topics and homework are found here.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Participants who complete the training will be able to:

  • Search for funding opportunities, understand the types of grants available to fund their work, and address agency requirements and criteria.
  • Prepare compelling proposal summaries and narratives that highlight the importance and relevance of the proposed project.
  • Understand the grant submission process and internal policies related to grant-seeking and grant management, including how to navigate the University’s electronic research administration system and agency submission portals.
  • Understand the proposal review process, including the roles of program officers, reviewers, and panelists.

Boot Camp Dates

The 2021 Catalyst boot camps will be held in an online format that will start the week of May 17, 2021 and end by June 25, 2021.

To maximize engagement, participants will be expected to attend all online sessions using a webcam (via Zoom).

Online group sessions are planned between 9 am-12 noon (maximum of 2.5 hours) Tuesday (both A+H and STEM+), Wednesday (STEM+) and Thursday (A+H).

Weekly writing team meetings will also be virtual and will be scheduled by the writing coaches.

Expectations

STEM + Social Sciences: Grant proposal as lead PI to a federal agency.

Arts and Humanities: Grant (as lead PI), fellowship, or residence application to a federal or state agency, local government, or foundation. (See application Cover Sheet for further expectations.)

Eligibility

STEM + Social Sciences: All full-time, tenured and tenure-track faculty, non-tenure track research or clinical faculty (Research Assistant and Associate Professors, Clinical Assistant and Associate Professors) and post-doctoral researchers at UNC Charlotte are eligible to participate.

Arts and Humanities: All full-time, tenured and tenure-track faculty and lecturers with terminal degrees in the arts and humanities are eligible to participate.

Participant Responsibilities and Expectations

STEM + Social Sciences:

  • Attend and actively participate in all Catalyst sessions as scheduled from the week of May 18, 2021 through June 25, 2021. Sessions will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Additional weekly writing group meetings will be scheduled by the writing coaches.
  • Devote time during the Catalyst program to completing workshop readings and homework assignments, meeting weekly with faculty writing coaches, sharing proposal drafts and writing samples with team members, and preparing a proposal for submission.
  • Submit (by July 31, 2021) a final, submission-ready proposal targeting a specific federal funding source to my writing coach for review.
  • Submit (by September 30, 2021) a revised version of my proposal to my writing coach that includes detailed responses to their written critiques/comments.
  • Submit a final proposal to a targeted external grant program by February 1, 2022.

Arts and Humanities:

  • Attend and actively participate in all Catalyst sessions as scheduled from the week of May 17, 2021 through June 25, 2021. Sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Additional group meetings may be scheduled by the writing coaches between May 11, 2021 and August 21, 2021.
  • Devote time during the Catalyst program to completing workshop readings and homework assignments, meeting with faculty writing coaches, and preparing a proposal for submission.
  • Submit (by September 30, 2021) a final, submission-ready proposal targeting a specific extramural funding source to my writing coach for review.
  • Submit (by November 30, 2021) a revised version of my proposal to my writing coach that includes detailed responses to their written critiques/comments.
  • Submit a final proposal to a targeted external grant program by February 1, 2022.
  • For Arts and Humanities Fellows who are targeting a Fall 2021 deadline for their final proposal submission, the schedule for submitting a submission-ready proposal and a revised version with responses to critiques/comments can be adjusted with permission from the writing coach.

Application Procedures

A complete application consists of the following:

  • Cover Sheet
  • Statement of Interest: A short (1-page maximum) narrative outlining your (1) motivation for participating in Catalyst, and (2) history with submitting proposals (either as a PI or Co-PI) for extramural funding, including the dates and titles of successful and unsuccessful proposals and targeted funding sources.
  • Curriculum Vitae: An updated curriculum vitae that includes of a complete list of publications and successful grant awards.
  • Research Description: A short description (1 page maximum) of your research interests, a potential research topic for your proposal, and a list of any potential sponsors.
  • Letter of Support: A statement of support for your application from your department chair.
  • Conflicts: A list (hopefully very short) of any scheduling conflicts from May 17 through June 25, 2021.
  • Attach required documents to the Cover Sheet and convert to a single PDF file.
  • Applications for both tracks are due by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.
  • Send a single PDF file to catalyst-program@uncc.edu.