The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative intends to support a Community of Scholars drawn from various campuses and disciplines in order to build new relationships between NU faculty, Nebraska communities, institutions and regions and others beyond Nebraska’s borders interested in similar work.
Members of this Community of Scholars will bring their research skills and knowledge of their discipline together with that of others to build the University’s capacity to identify and analyze trends and opportunities for the benefit of the future of Nebraska and other plains states. The Rural Initiative will provide assistance to researchers in linking with practitioners, policy makers and other organizations to inform and apply research. The focus will be upon nonmetropolitan Nebraska but it is recognized that there are important linkages between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions thus work that recognizes these linkages will be encouraged.
As a first step toward building the Community of Scholars the Rural Initiative proposes to support research and collaborative activity by selected scholars during the summer of 2006. The Rural Initiative will consider proposals from any University of Nebraska faculty member for support for the following: (1) one to three months summer support; (2) support for a graduate assistant or undergraduate interns; (3) materials, equipment or limited travel that will further research relevant to nonmetropolitan Nebraska; (4) support for a collaborative effort across several disciplines or institutions.
An individual faculty member may request up to $30,000. Applications from more than one faculty member drawing upon multiple disciplines will be viewed favorably.
Proposals are encouraged that address topics of current interest to the Rural Initiative however other topics may be considered. The Rural Initiative is particularly interested in supporting the following:
- Research that evaluates regional approaches to development and/or community organization.
- Development of new tools that will help Nebraskans evaluate political, social, economic or environmental changes that may affect the quality of life or the economy in the future.
- Case studies on the evolution of the rural economy and/or the history of economic development efforts in Nebraska to determine what has worked and what has not.
- Case studies that identify opportunities and describe initial steps for new business formation related to an emerging technology or research.
- Development of curricula that will help nonmetropolitan Nebraskans compete in global markets. Areas of particular interest include tourism, food products, professional and technical services or information technology.
- To encourage creativity and innovation an “open category” is included allowing faculty to propose other research or curriculum development topics they believe are relevant to the future of Nebraska.
Proposals need only be two pages and should include the following information: (1) One or two line summary and amount requested; (2) Rationale and relevance of proposed work; (3) Description of proposed work including timeline; (4) Anticipated Nebraska impact; (5) Potential for interest beyond Nebraska by other scholars, practitioners and funders; (6) Budget Description; (7) Summary of external funds currently held by faculty member or other collaborations that may strengthen work; (8) Contact information.
Please attach an abbreviated (approximately two pages) vita.
Review criteria will include: creative or scholarly merit of the proposed work; relevance of the proposed work to the future of Nebraska and other plains states, potential for future external funding; and potential for building future collaborations that enhance the University’s capacity.
Proposals must be submitted no later than May 15 to: Rural Initiative Community of Scholars, 110 Ag Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, P.O. Box 830710, Lincoln, NE 68583-0710. Electronic submissions may be directed to sscofield1@unl.edu. Questions may be directed to Sandy Scofield at sscofield1@unl.edu or 472-7091.
Proposals will be judged by a team with expertise in the areas identified in the review criteria. Successful applicants will be notified no later than May 30, and may begin work immediately upon notification. Successful applicants will be invited to events throughout 2006-2007 to strengthen collaboration across disciplines and institutions and build the Community of Scholars.