Developing a Library Research Platform for 21st Century Scholars

Libraries and Cultural Resources invites submissions of letters of intent for the Developing the Future of Libraries sub-granting competition.

This internal sub-granting competition, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, targets multidisciplinary research projects in the thematic areas of Smart Cities, Arctic Studies, and Cultural Discourse as part of a research project, lead by Principal Investigator Thomas Hickerson, Vice-Provost and University Librarian, entitled Academic Research and University Libraries: Creating a New Model for Collaboration.

The sub-grants are designed to establish a research platform—defined as a suite of common services, such as digitization and metadata support, technical infrastructure, such as visualization and collaborative spaces, and expertise, in areas including data management and rights management—delivered by the library to support multidisciplinary research. However, there are likely services, technologies and expertise that the library needs to develop which will be informed through this competition targeting scholars working in the thematic areas of Smart Cities, Arctic Studies, and Cultural Discourse.

There will be two rounds of sub-grants.

• First round Letter of Intent due July 7, 2017
• Second round Letter of Intent due June 30, 2018

Guidelines for the Internal Sub-Granting Competition Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grant to Libraries and Cultural Resources

Academic Research and University Libraries:  Creating a New Model for Collaboration

Value	$40,000
Duration	6 months per grant
Letter of Intent Deadline Link to Letter of Intent Form https://ucalgary.libwizard.com/mellonloi	July 7, 2017
Letter of Intent results announced	July 24-28, 2017
Proposal deadline	September 1, 2017
Results announced	September 15, 2017
Research Projects conducted	October 1, 2017-March 31, 2018
2nd competition follows the same timeline	Starts May, 2018

Background

The internal sub-granting competition is part of a research project lead by Principal Investigator  Thomas Hickerson, Vice-Provost and University Librarian, and funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The sub-grants are designed to establish a research platform—defined as a suite of common services, such as digitization and metadata support, technical infrastructure such as visualization and collaborative spaces, and expertise, in areas including data management and rights management—delivered by the Library to support multidisciplinary research. However, there are likely services, technologies and expertise that  Libraries and Cultural Resources needs to develop which will be informed through this competition targeting scholars working in the thematic areas of Smart Cities, Arctic Studies, and Cultural Discourse. 

Proposals must be multidisciplinary respond to one of three research themes:

• Smart Cities: supports investigations into creating sustainable, resilient, secure, and culturally dynamic cities
• Arctic Studies: supports research of the North American and circumpolar Arctic through the environmental and social sciences, the arts, and the humanities
• Cultural Discourse: supports multidisciplinary inquiry into the various aspects of artistic expression, communication modes, and societal traditions and norms

Proposals may involve but are not limited to case studies, pilot initiatives, critical analysis of existing research, etc.

Objectives

Proposals are expected to respond to the following objectives:

• To carry out innovative, multidisciplinary research in the areas of Smart Cities, Arctic Studies, or Cultural Discourse
• To outline the services, technologies and/or expertise required from the Library to support the research

Eligibility

Proposals will be judged on research significance, feasibility, and likelihood of benefit to the development of the research platform, which is comprised of services, technologies and expertise that the library needs to develop to support scholars.  The library currently provides digitization, metadata services, visualization, data management, rights management and collaborative spaces for research incubation.  Proposals must be led by tenured or tenure track faculty at the University of Calgary.

Proposals must be submitted by a team of multidisciplinary researchers.

Researchers may not submit more than one proposal within the same competition round.

Budgets

Eligible expenditures include:  personnel; research travel; technology that will become part of the research platform; materials and supplies; and dissemination and knowledge translation costs.

Evaluation and Adjudication

Letters of Intent and Proposals are adjudicated and awarded by the Adjudication Committee (still to be identified). 

Criteria and Scoring

1. The Concept 40%
   1. Strength of the proposal in meeting the objectives of the internal sub-granting competition
   2. Expected use of and contribution to the research platform  
   3. Theoretical or conceptual approach to the research
   4. Soundness and appropriateness of the methodology and data analysis
2. Feasibility 40%
   1. Probability that the objectives will be met within the timeline proposed
   2. At the full application stage, appropriateness and accuracy of the requested budget and the justification of proposed costs
3.  Capability 20%
   1. The applicant’s research and publication record or, in the case of new scholars, their potential

 

Submission Process

Letter of Intent

An open call will be held.  The LOI is via a form, https://ucalgary.libwizard.com/mellonloi and will include a short summary of the proposed research, a description of the project team, an explanation of how the proposal benefits from and contributes to, the research platform, and an expected budget total.

Each LOI will be discussed by the Adjudication Committee.  After a full review, successful LOIs will be selected.

Deadline: July 7, 2017

Full Proposal

The Project Consultant will work with scholars to develop full proposals.  Full proposals are expected to engage with existing functional components of the research platform and to identify where new components can be added. The full proposal will involve a detailed statement of benefits from the use of and contribution to the research platform, an outline of project activities and anticipated outcomes, and a detailed budget with justifications. 

The Adjudication Committee will review Full Proposals applying the scoring criteria.

For more information contact your research and learning or liaison librarian or email lcrmellon@ucalgary.ca

Availability of Research Outputs

Funded research projects are expected to adhere to the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications (http://www.science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_F6765465.html?OpenDocument) as well as the Tri-Agency Statement of Principles on Digital Data Management (http://www.science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_83F7624E.html?OpenDocument).