The Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB²) has announced a call for proposals for research projects to begin in 2025. 

Proposal topics from Industry Advisory Board will be released to faculty on July 8, 2024. Proposal applications due August 11, 2024.

GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION AS AN INVESTIGATOR

The National Science Foundation Industry & University Cooperative Research Center program is a vehicle for encouraging formal, topical relationships between academic institutions and industry collaborators. Research projects that make a good fit to the program and to CB²:

• Address any of the request for proposal topics from the Industry Advisory Board (IAB). (For a list of Seed Concepts, email michael.sylskar@ndsu.edu)
• Aim to solve an applied problem on an aspect of the bioplastics or biocomposites supply chain. Review CB2's research thrust areas »
• May be of particular interest to one industry partner, but preferably of broader significance.
• Build off collaborative projects you have had with potential members in the past.
• Highlight the unique capabilities and expertise of affiliated faculty.
• Offer precompetitive, but compelling solutions to difficulties the industry must overcome to advance.

Please note that the authors of the seed concepts are identified and PI's are highly encouraged to work with them in order to strengthn the proposal development process.

A select number of projects will be selected for podium presentations at the Fall meeting. Faculty members can submit an unlimited number of proposals for project concepts. The format is an executive summary as listed on the website. The IAB will narrow the field to the most compelling projects from an industry standpoint. The CB² call for proposals is open to all faculty members at the CB² university sites. Collaborative projects with multiple faculty members and across campuses are encouraged.

The PI’s are required to attend the six month and 12 month review meetings as well as submit progress reports at three and nine month periods into the research and have monthly conference calls with their selected mentors from the IAB.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

To submit a proposal for the 2024 CB² Fall meeting, please complete the proposal application and upload to this Secure Link by August 11, 2024 (midnight local time). The proposals will go through an initial ranking by the IAB to allow PI's to strengthen their proposals for a second submission. The initial ranking will be completed approximately four weeks after the August 11 deadline. A decision on which proposals will be selected for a presentation at the fall meeting will be announced in September 2024.

Funding per project should range from $40,000 to $60,000 of direct cost per year with a typical project duration of one year. Projects requiring more than one year of funding must submit new proposals for additional years. The original proposal may indicate that additional years are planned, but should only detail year one. Allowable costs include, but are not limited to the following: tuition, stipend, faculty salary, undergraduate salary, benefits, travel (international and domestic and should include one to two trips to the IAB meeting), materials, laboratory fees, and equipment. Please note, 10% indirect costs are required in the project budgets as defined by site specific IDC policies. In addition, the budget should include $500 for (Research Experience for Undergraduates) REU travel. All funded projects will be assigned an REU student during the summer 2024 where applicable.