The International Research Accelerator (IRA)

 

FY2022 IRA Deadline: January 31, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. CST

Faculty engaged in international research are invited to apply for up to $15,000 in funding through a new International Research Accelerator (IRA) program.

The IRA program is a joint effort between the Office of International Affairs and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to support faculty engaged in international research and increase global engagement opportunities for the campus community. IRA funding is available for both new and existing projects. To be eligible for funding, projects must have a strong international component, link to strategic goals of the university, and have viable and articulated research outcomes. The faculty member must also have prior accomplishments in working with international research grants. Thus, this is not a “seed” grant, but rather builds upon proven excellence and “accelerates” additional research.

International Research Accelerator Application Guidelines

I.    Application

All Texas State faculty members with full-time, continuing nine-month academic appointments are eligible to apply. Tenured, tenure-track, and clinical faculty who hold the rank of assistant professor, associate professor or professor may apply. The principal investigator must be employees of Texas State.

Department Chairs, School Directors, Program Directors, Deans, Assistant/Associate Deans and Research Faculty are not eligible to apply. Professor of Practice faculty and Program Faculty may be included and compensated as internal consultants.

A five-page double space narrative with 1- inch margins and 12-point font (Times New Roman) that includes the following elements and addresses the review criteria listed in section II below:

• Introduction
• Research Plan
• Budget Request (up to $15,000) and Justification
• A two-page single space vita (1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font) for each applicant on the proposal that highlights research outcomes with an emphasis on international work previously conducted.

NOTE: The narrative and vita(s) should comprise a single PDF document and MUST be submitted through the online InfoReady System:

For technical assistance with the online application, please contact Dr. Yongxia Xia in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at ys11@txstate.edu or 245-2314.

 

II.    Proposal Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Current stage of the research project
• Record of accomplishment of the researcher(s)
• Capability of the researcher(s) to accomplish the work
• Likelihood that IRA funds will help achieve two or more of the following outcomes (more competitive proposals will link to multiple areas:
  • Securing additional funding (U.S. based grants or international funds);
  • Publication in peer-reviewed journal;
  • Sustain and enhance partnership under a specific International Research Agreement;
  • Increase student involvement in undergraduate or graduate research;
  • Increase study abroad or research abroad opportunities;
  • Conduct research that has an impact on a real-world problem;
  • Conduct research that has an impact on underrepresented student and/or faculty populations.
• Overall quality of proposal

 

III.    Award Information

A unique account will be set up for each funded project. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs will send a request for new account form to the Principal Investigator.

 

IV.    Post Award Requirement

All recipients of the IRA must provide a 5-10-page final report summarizing the accomplishments and challenges associated with the funded research project no later than 14 months after the award was granted. Status updates and/or progress reports may be required as a condition of the award and will depend on the scope of the research project.
 
For additional information about the IRA program, please contact Dr. Michael Blanda, Assistant VP for Research (blanda@txstate.edu) or Dr. Vedaraman Sriraman, Associate VP for Academic Affairs (vs04@txstate.edu)