The Gund COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund is Now Closed

The Gund Institute's COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund supports research that targets the social and environmental impacts or drivers of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

This $50,000 fund is supporting six awards, each between $5,000 and $10,000.

Research topics include factors that determine novel disease outbreaks, consequences of the pandemic on ecological-economic systems, resilience of socio-environmental systems to pandemics and other shocks, and environmental justice and equity issues of the pandemic and society’s response.

This funding competition catalyzes ideas that can develop into longer-term research programs with broader external funding. 

The COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund has been awarded

Teams

Proposals must be led by a current Gund Fellow or UVM Affiliate. There are no other restrictions on team composition. Additional members can include other Gund Fellows and Affiliates, any UVM scholars of any rank, and any external collaborators.

Teams for these rapid funds need not be interdisciplinary, but the longer-term program described in the proposal must be.

Award Information

Allowable expenses include salaries for UVM-affiliated personnel, equipment and supplies, travel, and consultant costs. Funds can support a maximum of $5,000 in salary and fringe for all persons on the award combined. Only summer salary is allowed. Salary for faculty must be approved by Deans and Department Chairs. This funding will not cover indirect costs. Awardees will be required to provide a brief summary (one page) of results and a list of proposals submitted as a result of this funding.

Application Process

Applications will be submitted through the InfoReady portal. Applicants will upload two documents: a Project Narrative (two pages max) and a Budget & Collaborators List (use template in InfoReady portal).

The Project Narrative must:

  • Describe the focal issue, research plan, rough timeline, expected impact. (1.5 page max)
  • Describe plans for growing the project, including future submissions to external sponsors (0.5 page max)

Review Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed on four criteria

  • Relevance to the theme: socio-environmental dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Potential for scientific and societal impact
  • Potential for growth into a longer-term research program with sustained impact
  • Interdisciplinary nature of the longer-term research program envisioned

Sustainability in the Pandemic Era Panel Discussion

Watch a Gund COVID-19 discussion, covering preliminary research, early lessons, and our new COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund. 

Key Dates

  • Rolling proposal review until
    June 1.

Contact 

External Research Calls