SUBJECT:

Chancellor’s Research Excellence Scholarships Call for Proposals

The "Chancellor’s Research Excellence Scholarships” (CRES) program --formerly the Frontiers of Innovation Scholars Program (FISP)-- is a campus-wide effort to support the primary research initiatives of the UC San Diego Strategic Plan. One component of this program provides funding for up to 50 Ph.D. students and 20 postdoctoral fellows, each working with mentors in at least two different divisions, and up to 100 undergraduate students working in labs, programs, or centers with a multidisciplinary focus. These trainees will have opportunities to develop their ability to communicate and collaborate with those in very different disciplines, build skills in cutting-edge multidisciplinary research and receive professional development training.

The Office of Research Affairs (ORA) invites applications for CRES awards from academic mentors working with trainees across the campus on research supporting one or more of the four research themes in UC San Diego's Strategic Plan:

* Understanding and Protecting the Planet
* Enriching Human Life and Society
* Exploring the Basis of Human Knowledge, Learning and Creativity
* Understanding Cultures and Addressing Disparities in Society

Requests for Scholarships from PI- eligible mentors will be considered for a target amount of $25,000 for each graduate student and Postdoctoral Scholar and $3,000 for each undergraduate student. Priority will be given to projects that are aligned with the UCSD strategic research themes above, represent a new collaborative or multidisciplinary focus, employ novel and creative approaches, and foster commitments to diversity and access.

Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars who previously received FISP funding may be considered for CRES funding in 2017-18; however preference will be given to supporting trainees who have not received prior support through this program. Undergraduates who previously received FISP funding are not eligible for CRES funding.

A link to the application will be available on the CRES web page: https://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/ora/awards-funding/cres.html Applications for the Scholarships will be accepted beginning September 21, 2017. The deadline for receiving applications for this funding opportunity is October 12, 2017, with funding to be available in January 2018. Detailed information on the application and selection process, eligibility, and administrative guidelines will be available on the web page.

Sandra A. Brown Vice Chancellor for Research Kaustuv Roy Chair, Academic Senate: San Diego Division