The Office of Research Support (ORS) is a unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) created to serve the scholarly and creative activities of faculty, students, and staff. Our mission is to facilitate the procurement of external support through research grants and contracts; to administer internal support for research; and to engage the University of Washington Bothell community in the process of innovation, collaboration, and discovery that has transformational impact.
The Year in Review
We are pleased to present the first annual report of research administration activities at UWB. In its first year of operation, the office has provided leadership for the development of policies and programs that foster a campus culture that is supportive of research and creative works. A few highlights:
Almost $1.5 million in the form of internal and external grants went to support research at UW Bothell over the past year. Not surprisingly, the majority of principal investigators (PIs) come from the largest program, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences (IAS). There are two major PIs, each of whom is supported by a grants administrator or program coordinator. Dr. Dan Jaffe (IAS) has the highest number of grants (4) and studies atmospheric environment. Dr. Tom Bellamy's grant, "Leaders for Teacher-Preparing Schools" is the largest (over $500,000 per year from the Dept of Education) and is listed under the Education Program, to give a more accurate picture of the current situation.
2006-2007 Success Rate
| Number Submitted | Amount Requested | Number Funded | Amount Funded | Percent Funded | |
| Federal | 8 | $2,692,862 | 5 | $1.443.647 | 75% |
| State | 2 | $69,750 | 2 | $69,750 | 100% |
| Private | 7 | $162,500 | 3 | $112,500 | 43% |
| Internal | 14 | $227,546 | 8 | $87,546 | 57% |
| Other | 3 | $154,837 | 2 | $29,837 | 66% |
Although the majority of funding comes from the federal government, with the highest award totals over multiple years, investigators here (and across the country) are increasingly turning to smaller, private foundations in hopes that their research can find a local supporter. In every case, the Office of Research support seeks to help build long term relationships between UWB researchers and sponsors.
GOALS FOR THE COMING YEAR
Over the coming year it will be imperative to develop a strategic plan/ research agenda answering the question: "What do we want to be known for?" and continue to grow the office to be consistent with campus needs and direction. Internal grants will remain an important tool, providing seed money to research projects in their fledgling stages, with real promise of attracting external funds after a pilot phase. By either sponsoring or publicizing workshops and seminars highlighting the research activities of faculty, the office will aim to attract individuals with common interests and unite them over ideas. A significant goal is to promote the use of UWB undergraduates as potential research assistants by implementing an undergraduate research competition. Finally, the use of consistent administrative procedures and a comprehensive communication strategy will provide the infrastructure with which to achieve the stated goals of the Office of Research Support at the University of Washington Bothell over the 2007-2008 academic year.
Questions? Comments? Please contact Carolyn Brennan at cbrennan@uwb.edu or 425-352-5355
