Faculty Research Awards Committee FRAC Awards Information and Requirements Through the Faculty Research Awards Committee, travel and research grants are available. Below is a list of each award and their proposal requirements.  Provost's Challenge Research Seed Grant Fund Overview   The  Provost's Challenge Research Seed Grant Award , administered by the Faculty Research Awards Committee (FRAC), supports the growth of externally sponsored research at Arkansas State University. This competitive internal funding opportunity invests in faculty research with the goal of generating preliminary results that strengthen future proposals for external funding.   Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Collaborative projects involving investigators from multiple disciplines are especially encouraged.   For  answers to  questions, contact Research and Technology Transfer (RTT) at  research@astate.edu  or  870-972-2694 .   Program Purpose   The Provost's Challenge Research Seed Grant provides  two years of research support  to help  t enure-track faculty  initiate new research projects that will lead to competitive external grant proposals.   Funding may be used to:   Collect preliminary data Conduct pilot studies Perform literature or archival research Develop creative or scholarly works Generate proof-of-concept results needed to strengthen external funding proposals   Many external sponsors expect applicants to  demonstrate feasibility, innovation, and preliminary evidence before funding larger projects. This program is designed to help faculty generate  foundational  results.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with their college's FRAC representative prior to submitting a proposal to ensure the project is clearly understood during the review process.   Priority will be given to proposals that:   Identify  a specific external funding opportunity Target state or federal grant programs Have the potential to lead to external proposals requesting $500,000 or more Include interdisciplinary collaborations   Award Information   Category   Details   Eligibility   Tenure-track faculty   Award Period   Two years   Funding Amount   Up to  $60,000  total   Number of Awards   T wo awards annually   Project Start Date   July 1 (following the award cycle)   Project Duration   Two years   Allowable Expenses   Funding may be used for:   Faculty summer salary Research personnel Research supplies Equipment Professional travel Other project-related research expenses   Application Timeline   Applications Open :  September 1 annually Application Deadline :  Third Friday of October (5:00 p.m. C D T) Award Notification :  Mid-December Project Start Date :  July 1   Application Requirements   Applications must include the following components.   1.  Cover Sheet   Complete the FRAC Cover Sheet using the required template  (Template can be found on the InfoReady application page) . Select the Provost's Challenge Research Seed Grant Award  as the funding program. Include an abstract of 300 words or fewer  suitable for publication on the RTT website.   2. Project Narrative (Maximum 6 Pages)   The narrative may not exceed  six pages  (including tables and figures). References  / Literature Cited  do  not   count toward the page limit.   The narrative should be written for a broad academic audience and should minimize highly technical language.   Address the following: Project scope, significance, and objectives Background and related work Research  methodology or creative approach Expected outcomes and potential challenges Project timeline Dissemination plan Future external funding strategy, including the  anticipated sponsor(s) and funding opportunity(ies)   3. References   Include all references cited in the proposal  as a separate attachment.  Note there is no page limit on references .   4. Budget and Budget Justification   Submit:   A completed A-State Budget Template (found on the Knowledge Base: https://kb.astate.edu/books/research-development/page/investigators-toolbox-542   A detailed budget justification ( maximum 2 pages )   The budget should clearly explain and justify all requested expenses.   5. Curriculum Vitae   Provide an abbreviated curriculum vitae for the Principal Investigator  using the required template  (Template can be found on the InfoReady application page) .   Maximum length :  4 pages.   6. Research Compliance   If applicable, projects involving human participants ,  animals ,  or transgenic organisms or biohazards  must receive approval from the:   Institutional Review Board (IRB) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)   Proposal Evaluation   Eligible proposals are evaluated by  the  FRAC  rubrics     Final Report Requirements   Award recipients must submit a  Final Report  to RTT  at  frac@astate.edu   by  July 31  immediately following the close of the award period.   The report must include:   An abstract suitable for publication on the RTT website A brief summary (approximately 2 pages ) describing: The research, scholarly, or creative activities completed Project outcomes and accomplishments Plans for future research, scholarship, creative activities, or external funding   Failure to submit the Final Report by the deadline may result in the Principal Investigator being ineligible for future FRAC funding opportunities. Faculty Research Award Overview   The  Faculty Research Award , administered by the Faculty Research Awards Committee (FRAC), provides seed funding to support faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities at Arkansas State University. The program is intended to help faculty  initiate pilot or feasibility studies, develop creative works, and generate preliminary results that strengthen future proposals for external funding.   For  answers to  questions, contact Research and Technology Transfer (RTT) at  research@astate.edu  or  870-972-2694 .   Program Purpose   The Faculty Research Award supports faculty efforts to:   Conduct pilot or feasibility studies Advance scholarly or creative activities  including books for publication, art exhibitions, and music compositions Generate preliminary data or proof of concept Develop competitive proposals for external funding from state, federal, foundation, or other sponsors   Projects from all disciplines are encouraged.   Award Administration   Applications are  submitted through the  InfoReady  portal and reviewed by the  Faculty Research Awards Committee (FRAC) .   Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with their college's FRAC representative prior to  submitting a proposal to ensure the project is clearly understood during the review process.   The current FRAC membership is available on the RTT website  (https://kb.astate.edu/books/faculty-research-awards-committee-642) .   Allowable Expenses   Funds may be used for research, scholarship, or creative activities  directly related to the proposed project.   General guidelines include:   Project-related research expenses Student support is encouraged Faculty summer salary is allowable Professional travel to present project results may be supported Computer equipment is generally  not   funded Funds should not   support activities that are normally funded by academic departments   These guidelines are intended to  assist applicants. FRAC reserves the right to consider all requests based on project merit.   Application Timeline   Applications Open :  September 1 annually Application Deadline :  Third Friday of October (5:00 p.m. C D T) Award Notification :   Mid-December Project Period :  July 1 – June 30 of the following fiscal year   Submission Requirements   Applications must be  submitted through  InfoReady  by the published deadline.   Application Requirements   Applications must include the following components.   1.  Cover Sheet   Complete the required FRAC Cover Sheet template  (Template can be found on the InfoReady application page)   Include: Complete the FRAC Cover Sheet using the required template. Select the  Faculty Research  Award as the funding program. Include an abstract of  300 words or fewer  suitable for publication on the RTT website.   2. Project Narrative (Maximum 4 Pages)   The project narrative is limited to  four pages , including tables and figures. References do  not  count toward the page limit.   The narrative should be written for a broad academic audience and should minimize highly technical language.   Address the following:   Project scope, significance, and objectives Background and related work Research methodology or creative approach Project timeline Dissemination plan Future external funding strategy, including anticipated sponsor(s) and funding opportunity(ies)   3. References    Include all references cited in the proposal as a separate attachment.  Note there is no page limit on references.   4. Budget and Budget Justification    Submit:   A completed A-State Budget Template (found on the Knowledge Base: https://kb.astate.edu/books/research-development/page/investigators-toolbox-542   A detailed budget justification (maximum 2 pages )   The budget should clearly explain and justify all requested expenses.   5. Curriculum Vitae   Provide an abbreviated curriculum vitae for the Principal Investigator using the  required template.   (Template can be found on the InfoReady application page)   Maximum length :  4 pages.   6. Research Compliance     I f applicable, projects involving human participants, animals, or transgenic organisms or biohazards must receive approval from the:   Institutional Review Board (IRB) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Proposal Evaluation   Eligible proposals are evaluated by FRAC based on   FRAC Rubrics .   Final Report Requirements   Award recipients must  submit a  Final Report  to RTT  at  frac@astate.edu   by  July 31   immediately following the close of the award period.   The report must include:   An abstract suitable for publication on the RTT website A brief summary  (approximately  2 pages ) describing: The research, scholarly, or creative activities completed Project outcomes and accomplishments Plans for future research, scholarship, creative activities, or external funding   Failure to  submit the Final Report by the deadline may result in the Principal Investigator being ineligible for future FRAC funding opportunities.   RTT Travel Fund Overview   The  RTT Travel Fund , administered by the Faculty Research Awards Committee (FRAC), provides financial support for faculty travel that advances research, scholarship, and professional development. Funding may be used to support  domestic and international travel  related to conference presentations, original research, collaborative activities, and other scholarly endeavors.   This program is supported through the  Eleanor Lane Faculty Development Endowment ,  Nathan Deutsch Faculty Development Endowment , and  Provost's Office Travel Funds .   For  answers to  questions, contact Research and Technology Transfer (RTT) at   research@astate.edu  or  870-972-2694 .   Program Purpose   The RTT Travel Fund supports faculty travel that contributes to scholarly productivity and professional development while enhancing Arkansas State University's research and academic mission.   Supported activities may include:   Presenting research or creative work at professional conferences Conducting research or fieldwork Developing research collaborations Participating in specialized training or professional development Other scholarly travel that advances research, scholarship, or creative activities   Funding Information   Category   Details   Maximum  Award   Up to  $3,000   Travel Type   Domestic and International   Funding Sources   Eleanor Lane Faculty Development Endowment, Nathan Deutsch Faculty Development Endowment, and Provost's Office Travel Funds   Faculty should  submit  only one application .   Applicants  should not submit separate applications  for each funding source.  A single travel application will automatically be considered for all available travel funding opportunities. During the review process,  FRAC will  determine the most appropriate funding source based on applicant eligibility, funding availability, and the purpose of the proposed travel.   Application Timeline   Applications Open :  September 1 annually Application Deadline :  Third Friday of October (5:00 p.m. C D T) Award Notification :   Mid-December Project Period : July 1 – June 30 of the following fiscal year   Application Requirements   Applications must be  submitted through the  InfoReady  portal.   Applications must include the following components.   1. Project Narrative (Maximum 2 Pages)   Provide a narrative of  no more than two single-spaced pages  describing the proposed travel and its  anticipated impact.   Address the following:   Scope and significance of the proposed activities Contribution to the discipline or field Benefits to Arkansas State University Budget justification Plan to disseminate or share the outcomes of the travel   2. Curriculum Vitae   Provide an abbreviated curriculum vitae for the applicant   (Template can be found on the InfoReady application page)   Maximum length :  4 pages.   3. Budget   Provide a detailed budget outlining the requested travel expenses.   (Template can be found on the InfoReady application page)   Proposal Evaluation   Eligible proposals are evaluated by FRAC based on  the  FRAC Rubrics .   Final Report Requirements   Award recipients must  submit a  Final Report  to RTT at  frac@astate.edu  by the  second Friday of the semester following the award .   The report must include:   An abstract suitable for publication on the RTT website A brief summary  (approximately  1 –2 pages ) describing: Travel and scholarly activities completed Outcomes and accomplishments Future plans  resulting from the travel   Failure to  submit the Final Report by the deadline may result in the applicant being  ineligible for future FRAC funding opportunities .   Off-Campus Duty Assignment (Compensated Leave or Sabbatical) Overview   The  Off-Campus Duty Assignment (Compensated Leave  or Sabbatical )  program provides eligible faculty members with the opportunity to engage in professional activities that enhance their research, scholarship, creative work, and professional development while continuing to receive salary in accordance with University policy.   Off-campus  duty assignment  supports activities that strengthen both the faculty member's professional growth and Arkansas State University's teaching, research, scholarship, and creative mission.   For  answer s to  questions, contact the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (RTT) at   research@astate.edu  or  870-972-2694 .   Program Purpose   Off- campus duty assignment  may be used to support activities such as:   Research and scholarly activities Creative activities Writing and publication Graduate study leading to an advanced degree Research or study-related travel Professional retraining Program or curriculum development Other professional development activities that benefit the faculty member and the University   Faculty are encouraged to apply to initiate, continue, or complete significant research, scholarly, or creative projects.   Eligibility   F aculty and academic administrators holding faculty status may apply under one of the following options.   Option I   After  six academic years of service , eligible faculty who have not previously used compensated leave may receive:   One academic year at  50% salary , or One semester at 100% salary   Option II   Faculty with  at least three years of service  who have been accepted into an accredited graduate program that supports their department's or academic unit's mission may receive compensated leave.   Compensation is calculated at  10% of appointment salary for each year of service , up to a maximum of  50% salary .   Option III Tenured faculty whose academic programs are being reduced or phased out may be granted compensated leave for professional retraining.   Compensation is calculated at  10% of appointment salary for each year of service , up to a maximum of  50% salary .   Salary During Leave   Approved  off-campus duty assignment  is based on the faculty member's appointment salary during the leave period and the applicable eligibility option.   The total compensation received from all sources during the leave period may  not exceed the faculty member's regular appointment salary , except for stackable fellowships  that allow for direct payment to the  individual .   Application Timeline   Applications Open :  September 1 annually Application Deadline :  Third Friday of October (5:00 p.m. CST) Award Notification :  Mid-December  to early January Start Date :   During the term  requested for the following  acad emic year   Application Requirements   Applications must be submitted through the  InfoReady  portal.   Applicants must submit the following materials:   1. Application for  Off-Campus Duty Assignment   Complete the required  Off-Campus Duty Assignment  application, including all narrative attachments.   2. Letter of Support – Department Chair   A letter from the Department Chair supporting the proposed leave.   3. Letter of Support – College Dean   A letter from the College Dean supporting the request and including the estimated cost of replacing the applicant during the leave period.   4. Curriculum Vitae   Provide a current curriculum vitae for the applicant.   Proposal Evaluation   Eligible proposals are evaluated by FRAC based on  the  FRAC Rubrics .   Review Process   Applications are reviewed by the  Faculty Research Awards Committee (FRAC)  based on the goals of the  Off-Campus Duty Assignment  program.   FRAC evaluates and ranks proposals according to their scholarly merit and forwards its recommendations to the Office of the Provost.   Final funding decisions are made by the Office of the Provost in consultation with the applicant's Department Chair and College Dean, subject to available funding and departmental staffing needs.   Applicants will be notified in writing of the final decision  before January 15 .   Recipient Responsibilities   Faculty receiving  Off-Campus Duty Assignment  are expected to:   Complete the proposed activities during the approved leave period. Submit a final report to RTT summarizing the activities and outcomes of the leave. Return to Arkansas State University for at least one academic year  following the leave.   Failure to fulfill the required return obligation may require repayment of the salary received during the leave period in accordance with University policy.   Award recipients must  submit a  Final Report  to RTT at  frac@astate.edu  by  July 31   immediately following the close of the award period.  RTT will distribute final reports to the Provost and the recipient's College Dean.   The report must include:   An abstract suitable for publication on the RTT website A brief summary  (approximately  2 pages ) describing: The research, scholarly, or creative activities completed Project outcomes and accomplishments Plans for future research, scholarship, creative activities, or external funding   Additional Information   The number of compensated leaves granted during any academic semester may not exceed  10% of the faculty . A summary of compensated leave awards is reported annually to the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees.   FRAC Funding Policy Policy Guidelines Application Process For FRAC funding opportunities, applicants do not need to complete the A-State Proposal Notice Form. Applications may be submitted directly through InfoReady before the deadline. Eligibility Only tenure track faculty may apply for the Provost’s Challenge Research Seed Fund Award. All other faculty are eligible to apply for the Faculty Research Fund Award, the RTT Travel Fund, and an Off Campus Duty Assignment Multiple applications Applicants may apply to more than one internal funding program during the same cycle. Separate proposals The same project, activity, or expense may not be submitted to or funded by more than one program. One award at a time An applicant may receive and hold only one internal award at a time. If selected for multiple awards, the applicant must choose one. Provost’s Challenge Research Seed Fund Award reapplication Provost’s Challenge Research Seed Fund awardee may not apply to the same program again for five years following the award year. Faculty Research Fund Award reapplication Faculty Research Fund awardee may not apply to the same program again for three years following the award year. RTT Travel Fund reapplication RTT Travel Fund awardee may not apply to the same program again for three years following the award year. Off-Campus Duty Assignment Off-Campus Duty Assignment (Compensated Leave or Sabbatical) awardee may not apply to the same program again for three years following the award year. Applications to other programs The waiting period applies only to the program from which the applicant received an award. The applicant may apply to another program if they do not have an active internal award. Previous award requirements All required reports, documentation, and financial obligations must be completed before an applicant may receive another internal award. Other funding disclosure Applicants must disclose all active and pending internal or external funding related to the proposed work. Use of funds Award funds must be used only for approved activities and expenses during the designated award period. Changes or extensions Changes to the project, budget, or award period require prior written approval. University compliance All activities and expenses must follow applicable university policies and compliance requirements. Funding availability Awards are competitive and subject to the availability of funds. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding. Faculty Research Awards Committee (FRAC) New Policy Update, August 2026 Standard Operating Procedure for Combined Fellowship and Off-Campus Duty Assignment Support Program Applications & Deadlines FRAC Applications will only be electronically administered through InfoReady . InfoReady is found in the  PackPortal  and requires Duo sign-in. Login for InfoReady is through Single Sign On (SSO) Banner, which is your network ID and password. When a pplying to FRAC through   InfoReady , which is located within the Tools menu in the   PackPortal ,  you have four options for  applying: Provost’s Challenge Research Seed Fund  Faculty Research Fund RTT Travel Fund s Off-Campus Duty Assignment (also known as Sabbatical or Compensated Leave ) Applications for  all four FRAC funding programs  open annually on  September 1 . Completed proposals must be submitted by  5:00 p.m. (Central Time)  on the  third Friday of October .   2026-2027 Committee Members  Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics: Pending  College of Agriculture:  Dr. Jianfeng "Jay" Xu College of Education & Behavioral Science: Dr. Ibrahim Duyar   College of Engineering & Computer Science: Dr. Rober t  “ Drew ”  Fleming   College of Liberal Arts & Communication: Pending   College of Nursing & Health Professions: Dr. Binol Balachandar   College of Veterinary Medicine: Vacant until Fall 2027   Neil Griffin College of Business: Dr. Pankaj Nagpal   Ex officio: Travis Marsico, Ph.D. tmarsico@astate.edu   Vice Provost for Research, Innovation, and Discovery FRAC Rubrics Provost's Challenge Research Seed Fund   Review Criterion   1. Significance :  Is the proposed research, scholarly, or creative activity significant and likely to make an important contribution to the field?   2. Research Need :  Does the proposal address a clearly defined research question, scholarly  objective, or important research need?   3. Research Approach :  Are the proposed methods,  approach, or creative activities appropriate to achieve the stated objectives?   4. Feasibility :  Is the proposed work feasible within the proposed timeline and available resources?   5. Dissemination :  Is there a clear and  appropriate plan for disseminating the project outcomes (e.g., publications, presentations, performances, exhibitions, patents)?   6. Future Funding Potential :  Does the proposed work  demonstrate strong potential to lead to future external funding or substantially strengthen future funding competitiveness, where appropriate?   7. Budget :  Is the proposed budget reasonable and  appropriate for accomplishing the project objectives?   8. Budget Justification :  Does the budget justification adequately explain and support the requested expenses?   9. Investigator Readiness :  Does the applicant  demonstrate the expertise, qualifications, and resources necessary to successfully complete the proposed work?   10. Overall Merit :  Is the proposal of sufficient overall quality to warrant FRAC Seed Fund support?     Faculty Research Fund Rubric   Review Criterion   1. Significance :  Is the proposed research, scholarly, or creative activity significant and likely to make an important contribution to the field?   2. Research Need :  Does the proposal address a clearly defined research question, scholarly  objective, or important research need?   3. Research Approach :  Are the proposed methods,  approach, or creative activities appropriate to achieve the stated objectives?   4. Feasibility :  Is the proposed work feasible within the proposed timeline and available resources?   5. Dissemination :  Is there a clear and  appropriate plan for disseminating the project outcomes (e.g., publications, presentations, performances, exhibitions, patents)?   6. Future Funding Potential :  Does the proposed work  demonstrate strong potential to lead to future external funding or substantially strengthen future funding competitiveness, where appropriate?   7. Budget :  Is the proposed budget reasonable and  appropriate for accomplishing the project objectives?   8. Budget Justification :  Does the budget justification adequately explain and support the requested expenses?   9. Investigator Readiness :  Does the applicant  demonstrate the expertise, qualifications, and resources necessary to successfully complete the proposed work?   10. Overall Merit :  Is the proposal of sufficient overall quality to warrant FRAC Seed Fund support?     RTT Travel Fund Rubric   Review Criterion   1.  Significance :  Is the proposed research significant and likely to advance knowledge or scholarly activity?   2 .  Research Design : Are the proposed methods  appropriate and sufficient to achieve the stated objectives?   3 .  Feasibility :  Is the proposed work  feasible given the timeline, budget, and available resources?   4 .  Travel Justification : Is the requested travel essential to  accomplishing the research objectives (e.g., fieldwork, collaboration, specialized training, archives, or conference presentation)?   5 .  Investigator Readiness : Does the applicant demonstrate the expertise and preparedness to successfully complete the proposed work?   6 .  Dissemination :  Is there a clear plan to  disseminate the research findings (e.g., publications, presentations, outreach)?   7 .  Future Funding Potential : Is the project likely to strengthen the applicant's competitiveness for future external funding?   8 . Institutional Impact : Will the proposed work enhance Arkansas State University's research profile, collaborations, or strategic priorities?   9 .  Overall Merit : Is the proposal of sufficient overall quality to merit FRAC Travel Fund support?     Off-Campus Duty Assignment (Compensated Leave)  Rubric   Review Criterion   1. Significance :  Is the proposed research, scholarly, or creative activity significant and likely to make an important contribution to the field?   2. Objectives :  Does the proposal articulate clear and well-defined research or scholarly  objectives?   3. Approach :  Are the proposed methods,  approach, or creative activities appropriate to achieve the stated objectives?   4. Feasibility :  Is the proposed scope of work realistic and achievable during the  Off-Campus Duty Assignment  period?   5. Investigator Readiness :  Does the applicant  demonstrate the expertise, qualifications, and available resources necessary to successfully complete the proposed work?   6. Productivity :  Is  there a high likelihood that the  Off-Campus Duty Assignment  will substantially advance the proposed project?   7. Scholarly Outcomes :  Is there a clear plan for scholarly outcomes (e.g., publications, presentations, performances, exhibitions, patents, or other creative works)?   8. Future Research Competitiveness :  Does the proposal  demonstrate potential to enhance future research productivity or competitiveness for external funding, where appropriate?   9. Institutional Impact :  Will the proposed work contribute to Arkansas State University's research, scholarly, or creative mission?   10. Overall Merit :  Is the proposal of sufficient overall quality to warrant FRAC Compensated Leave support?   Advance Fund Requests Form For faculty who have been awarded FRAC funds during the most recent cycle, funds are made available at the start of the following fiscal year on July 1. However, if your funded-project/research requires funds to be made available in advance of the new fiscal year to support travel or research expenses, the Sponsored Programs Accounting Office will require the PI complete and return an Advance Fund Request Form . For faculty who have been awarded funds from the Nathan Deutsch Endowment or the Eleanor Lane Endowment, this Advance Fund Request form is not required. Please contact RTT ( research@astate.edu ) if you need to start spending Endowment funds prior to July 1.