A year ago Clarkson initiated a process and opportunity for faculty to submit ideas for research projects, infrastructure projects, and/or educational and workforce development projects. We are continuing this practice which can be found here.
We support scientific peer-review as the primary and preferred mechanism for allocating federal research support. However, the University also undertakes efforts to secure Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding, also known in the past as “earmarks” from Congress, particularly for compelling opportunities and needs that fall outside the purview of traditional peer-reviewed sources.
This process can also be used to help prioritize how we approach new relationship building with companies and foundations as we build our portfolio of new sources of philanthropic and strategic partnerships for the University. We will also share the collected projects with the Development office for their awareness for potential donor-funded interest.
As outlined on the link for submitting ideas, Clarkson’s has established an approval and prioritization mechanism for those interested in seeking such funding. Funding requests can be made to support research projects, infrastructure, and/or educational and workforce development projects. Priority for earmarks is typically placed on requests that support long-term research growth for the University (e.g., equipment, infrastructure, etc.), however the process is not exclusive to those examples.
You can submit this form at at any time, however, for consideration in the next earmark process, please plan to submit ideas by January 15 to ensure we consider it in the priorities we will need to identify. The linked document includes additional information, including the required template and submission process. Earmark opportunities for the next fiscal year will most likely emerge after the presidential transition, but examples from the current fiscal year can be found here: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/fy-2024-congressionally-directed-spending and we already have some additional solicitations in progress on the bioeconomy from our representatives.
Kelly Chezum, Vice President for Government, Corporate & Foundation RelationsMichelle Crimi, Dean of the Graduate School, Interim Vice Provost for Research and Technology