Learn more about OSU Bridge Funding

APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH BRIDGE FUNDING

Bridge funding

The bridge funding pool seeks to assist faculty who are between externally funded research grants. A principal investigator is responsible for applying to the Research Office if they are seeking financial support from this pool. PIs will need to demonstrate a record of sponsored research awards and expenditures, define the critical bridging needed, describe the plan and timeline for securing new external funding, and secure the approval of their department and college leadership.

Awards from the pool will be made through a review process managed by the Research Office.

Background/Rationale

Process

 

FAQs

  • In general, no more than 12 months at a time.
  • During the 2023 academic year, awards ranged $0 - $100,000.
  • The program is primarily intended to cover a temporary gap in funding for research staff whose continued employment is essential to the operation of a laboratory or other research effort that requires continuous operation, and who possess uniquely valuable knowledge or skills. 
  • This is a ‘bridge funding’ program.  Funding for specific personnel can only be requested for one year maximum, after which other sources of funding need to be secured. 
  • Costs for travel, services and supplies are less likely to be approved.
  • The program is not intended to fund graduate students.

Evaluation criteria include: 

  • Recent record of sponsored research awards and expenditures that are significant for the discipline. 
  • Evidence that funding hiatus will cause significant impact on maintaining research expertise and key personnel, with a focus on the specific expertise and role of the person(s) for which bridge funding is being requested.
  • Evidence that continuing external funding can be secured. 
  • Prior application history.  Repeated requests for the same staff, or repeated requests from the same PI for bridge funding may be considered with lower priority than new requests.
  • Repeated requests for the same staff member, or repeated requests from the same PI for bridge funding may be considered with lower priority than new requests.
  • Any unallocated funds from a fiscal year will be carried forward into the next year.  Any allocated funds that are unused by recipients at the end of the award period will be returned to the central bridge funding pool.
  • Applications are evaluated monthly and can be submitted any time.

Research_Finance@oregonstate.edu

  • Suggestions about improving this process may be submitted to Heather Horn (heather.horn@oregonstate.edu), Toni Doolen (toni.doolen@oregonstate.edu), and Jennifer Creighton (Jennifer.Creighton@oregonstate.edu). 
  • This program began in Fall of 2022.  Processes and published guidelines are reviewed on an annual basis.