James S. McDonnell Foundation -
21st Century Collaboration Activity Awards

Purpose:

The James S. McDonnell Foundation offers a small number of Collaborative Activity Awards. The collaborative activity awards category formalizes a funding mechanism the Foundation has used over the past decade to support study panels and research networks. This has proven to be an effective way to encourage cross-disciplinary thinking and research on fundamental questions that cannot be tackled via the usual Research Award mechanism. Furthermore the work carried out by such panels contributes to the development of funding programs both at the foundation and at other funding agencies. Collaborative activity awards proposals will be expected to undergo rigorous review.

The full announcement and description of this award may be found on the Foundation's website at: http://www.jsmf.org/pages/programs/guidelines/collaborative_awards/application_process.htm

Area of Research:

The 21st Century Collaborative Activity Awards will support collaborative networks, study panels, or other multidisciplinary, inter-institutional projects that cannot typically be supported through traditional research grants.

Eligibility:

• The 21st Century Collaborative Activity Awards are one-time, nonrenewable awards for multidisciplinary and multi-participant projects that address questions and topics relevant to the foundation's core and complementary program areas.
• All proposed activities must involve multi-institutional collaboration.
• There are no geographic restrictions on these awards and the foundation encourages international applications.
• The lead applicant must be sponsored by a non-profit institution as defined by Section 501 (c) 3 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
• The sponsoring institution must agree to administer the award and to waive all indirect and administrative costs.

Amount of Award:

The size and budgets for collaborative activities will vary greatly depending on the scope of the proposed problem or project and on the number of people involved.  The Foundation recognizes that funding must be appropriate to an activity's specific scope and needs.  

Selection Criteria:

Foundation staff, in consultation with it's Advisory Panels, will review the letters of inquiry for their relevance to the foundation's program interests, the significance and importance of the activity, and likelihood that the foundation could provide the necessary funding for the proposed duration of the project.  Foundation staff will contact applicants whose initial inquiries receive favorable review to request additional information and to provide guidance on the preparation of a full proposal.  Staff and Advisor Panels will also review the full proposals.  Full proposals that receive a favorable review will be presented to the Foundation's board for their consideration.

Application Process:

Rather than submit full proposals, applicants for Collaborative Activity Awards should submit a letter of inquiry not to exceed 1000 words in length.

NOTE:  The Office of Grants and Contracts (107 Seeley G. Mudd Building, DUMC / Telephone: 684-5175) must review all applications prior to submission to The McDonnell Foundation.

The Letter of Inquiry must include:

1. A brief description of the proposed activity and an explanation of its scientific importance or practical significance.
2. A listing of representative or possible participants.
3. An estimate of the proposed activities's duration and budget.
4. The lead applicant should also enclose a current curriculum vitae.

The Foundation will review the letters of inquiry for the relevance to the foundation's program interests, the significance and importance of the activity, and likelihood that the foundation could provide the necessary funding for the proposed duration of the project.  Foundation staff will contact applicants whose initial inquiries receive favorable review to request additional information and to provide guidance on the preparation of a full proposal.  Full proposals that receive a favorable review will be presented to the Foundation's board for their consideration. 

Letters of inquiry can be submitted at any time during the year, and must be submitted electronically to
collaborative@jsmf.org.

External Deadline for Application:

Rolling.   Letters of inquiry can be submitted at any time during the year.  There are no application deadlines for these grants.

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