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Internal Call for Concept Papers for W.M. Keck Foundation; Due December 3rd


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The University of Utah Vice President for Research and the Corporate and Founation Leadership Team: Internal Call for Concept Papers for the W.M. Keck Foundation (Apply Here)

The Univeristy of Utah Vice President for Research and the Corporate and Foundation leadership team are seeking interdisciplinary and transformative project concepts for the W. M. Keck Foundation. If you would like to submit an initial project idea, please complete the form here and submit a one-page concept paper using the template attached. The deadline to submit concept papers is Monday, December 3, 2018 (this is the first of three steps needed for an award decision in December 2019). The process is highly competitive, and after the initial concept papers stage, the foundation receives 60-80 submissions for each Phase I call for proposals and ultimately funds 3-6 Phase II requests in each category. 

INFORMATION SESSIONS

To learn more about the W. M. Keck Foundation, we invite you to attend one of two Q&A / Information sessions on either October 17 (3 - 4 pm) or October 24 (10:30 am – 11:30am). The sessions are designed to familiarize you with the Foundation and the submission process. If you are planning on submitting a paper, we recommend you attend either one of these sessions. Light refreshments and beverages will be available. Please RSVP to Roda David (rodalyn.david@utah.edu) or use the voting buttons in Outlook if you would like to attend.

FUNDING CATEGORIES

Science/Engineering Research

  • Grants range from $500,000 to $1 million (typically no more than $1 million). Contrary to what is listed on the website, the Foundation has asked that we only submit papers for projects that are $1,000,000 and under.  Please check the website for Eligibility and priorities.
  • Proposals should indicate that other avenues of funding have been sought but declined to demonstrate the need for Keck support.

Medical Research

  • Grants range from $500,000 to $1 million (typically no more than $1 million). Contrary to what is listed on the website, the Foundation has asked that we only submit papers for projects that are $1,000,000 and under.  Please check the website for Eligibility and priorities.
  • Proposals should indicate that other avenues of funding have been sought but declined to demonstrate the need for Keck support.

Undergraduate Education

  • Grants range from $200,000 to $300,000. Except in very rare cases, the Foundation typically funds at the $200,000 level. Please check the website for Eligibility and priorities.
  • Project must be unique to a research university and cannot be replicated at a private liberal arts or predominately undergraduate institution.

TIMELINE

(for awards in December 2019 – this varies from the timeline on the website)

  • Deadline to submit 1-page Concept Papers: 12/03/2018
  • Internal Submission + Review with Keck Foundation Consultation*: January/February 2019
  • Faculty and areas notified of concept paper status**: 02/16/2019
  • Phase I application due (internal deadline): 04/09/2019
  • Notification of invitation to submit Phase II Full Proposal: 07/15/2019
  • Phase II Full Proposal (internal deadline)***: 08/01/2019

*The University is permitted to initially present no more than 12 concepts to the Foundation this round. These may include up to 4 concepts in each of the program areas: 1) Science / Engineering Research, 2) Medical Research and 3) Undergraduate Education Program.                                                                                **University is only allowed to submit one Phase I application per category.                                                                                                                                                      ***Site-visit and/or call with the foundation to follow.

To learn more about The W. M. Keck Foundation and their current funding interests and past grant abstracts, please visit their website. You can also review the W. M. Keck Foundation’s FAQ and Grantee Responsibility sections for additional information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contacts us:

  • Dhiraj Chand | Corporate and Foundation Relations | 585-9847 | d.chand@utah.edu
  • Chris Ostrander | National Foundation Relations | 585-7220 | chris.ostrander@utah.edu
  • Lynn Wong | U of U Health Foundation Relations | 587-1066 | lynn.wong@hsc.utah.edu