CITI soliciting grant proposals

CITI Innovation Grants are available to researchers at Rice through CITI’s Enriching Rice Through Information Technology (ERIT) program. Visit < www.citi.rice.edu/erit/ > for program requirements. The deadline for ERIT proposals is Sept. 30. CITI expects to fund up to eight projects in calendar year 2003, with typical grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per year for one to two years.

”We want to encourage far-reaching initiatives that go beyond the traditional borders of science and engineering,” said Jan Odegard, executive director of CITI. ”The increasingly pervasive nature of information technology in our society is not only creating new avenues to study and teach old disciplines, but in some cases it’s leading to the creation of entirely new disciplines. Rice should take measured steps to remain on the cutting edge in developing information technology and explore the use of this technology for research and teaching.”

Odegard said CITI hopes the ERIT program will inspire new and far-reaching collaborative projects that will help Rice solidify and build its leadership in developing information technology that benefits society.

In evaluating proposals, CITI will look for programs that have the potential to attract long-term, external funding, Odegard said. CITI also is particularly interested in cross-disciplinary proposals that have interdepartmental and interschool elements.
Odegard said he hopes to attract proposals involving faculty outside the schools of science and engineering because some of the most exciting information technology research today involves cross-disciplinary activities that go beyond its traditional borders. Any faculty member with an idea for a project that needs help in locating a potential partner is encouraged to contact Odegard.

”We strongly encourage proposals that use the CITI funding to leverage additional funding, either from industry or government funding agencies,” Odegard said.
Proposals should be sent to Odegard’s attention at CITI, MS-39.