Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin
State Legislative Funding Request for Proposals #3
Funding New or Ongoing/Renewal of Projects: Student Learning Opportunities, Academic Program Development, Collaborative Research and Career Pathways
RFP Release: February 1, 2023
Proposal Submission Deadline: April 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Introduction
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin partners with Wisconsin’s 13 public universities to advance freshwater research and education, build partnerships with communities and industry, and contribute to a thriving water agenda in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin State Legislature has awarded the Freshwater Collaborative $5 million in its biennial budget to support freshwater initiatives at UW System campuses that align with the Freshwater Collaborative’s goals and legislative priorities. The Freshwater Collaborative has a total of $4,250,000 available in 113 funds to support this round of proposals, contingent on available legislative funds.
The purpose of the 2023-2025 State Legislative Funding Request for Proposals #3 is to support cross-campus projects that engage undergraduate students in courses, research, hands-on experiences, and internships. Proposals can either be for continued funding to enhance existing Freshwater Collaborative projects or fund new projects that will expand cross-campus collaborations.
Download and Review the Full State Legislative Funding Request for Proposals #3 Before Submitting Your Proposal
All applications must be submitted online using the form below. To preview the questions you will be asked, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hLGKgVkJW44olm5SwZiWk1sQEk5LgP7dZufQ4ZSl_5I/edit
For questions, email rfp-questions@uwm.edu.
All materials for RFP #3 must be submitted by April 3, 2023, through the online application form using the submission button at the bottom of this page.
Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin steering committee representatives must sign off on all proposals prior to submission to ensure that the Freshwater Collaborative representative at each university is aware of all proposal submissions. Proposals must be submitted following your institution’s policy for proposal submissions. In the case of the comprehensives, this means working with your institution’s Office of Sponsored Programs.
For proposals that involve multiple universities, one university with the lead PI must submit ONE joint proposal on behalf of all the universities involved, with secondary PIs listed for each other university involved. The lead PI will be the primary contact for the Freshwater Collaborative for questions and reporting/evaluation. The secondary PIs will be the contacts for UW System for allocating funds. Each of the collaborating institution’s contributions/involvement must be clearly described in the Project Narrative.
The office of Socially Responsible Evaluation and Education (SREED) has developed several indicators per award type (See Appendix). Campuses are expected to review SREED indicators and be prepared to complete data reports based on these indicators via a Qualtrics survey. Project leads will receive communications about the deadline for submitting their data report.
The proposal must include the following items for each proposed project:
- Project Narrative: Describes how the proposal supports your University’s long-term vision of engagement in the Freshwater Collaborative and statewide collaborations in water and how this proposal connects to other currently funded and/or proposed Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects at your institution or across the state. You will be asked to provide project goals, timeline and impact information. Timeline can be up to five years.
- Budget: Identify the anticipated expenses and provide a timeline for using funds. List any grants, matching funds from the campus, three planned external award requests, or other financial sources. Faculty course-buyouts and summer salary are allowable costs. Indirect costs are not allowable. Allowable personnel are limited-term employees, adjunct instructors, graduate assistants, and hourly students. A budget for each institution must be submitted within the joint proposal (e.g., if three universities are participating in the program or course, the single joint proposal must include three separate budgets).
- Endorsement Page: Obtain the signatures of the applicant and collaborators, applicant’s supervisor or department chair, the Steering Committee Member, and the Provost and/or Academic Affairs representative. This will be used to determine campus support and buy-in for the proposed project. To ensure accurate financial and academic methods proposed are feasible, we ask that your financial and academic representative who would support/oversee the administrative management of this project review and sign your proposal.
- Endorsement Page for UW-Madison: Applicant must use the WISPER electronic routing application to secure department and dean/director/division-level authorizations. Division-authorized WISPER records should be routed to WISPER user RUSSELL SCHWALBE in department 34-0200. Please set the “submission method” field in the WISPER record to “internal routing only.” The record does not need to be routed through the Research and Sponsored Programs office
- Other supporting documents such as letters of support, brochures, or program information.
The proposals will be reviewed by a committee of internal and external reviewers with academic and/or legislative experience who will make funding recommendations to the executive director. The review committee may request additional information, clarification, and/or edits before making a determination on proposal portfolios. The executive director will make final decisions on the awards, and notifications are expected to be sent via email on June 30, 2023.
Once the award is determined, the steering committee member will be notified and given an award letter. The award letter will include details on fund disbursement, evaluation, and reporting.
Download and complete the following documents prior to beginning your online application:
- Budget (one per institution)
- UPDATED Campus Endorsement Page (one per institution)
- List of Project Collaborators (if applicable)
Please direct all questions to rfp-questions@uwm.edu.