PROPOSALS AND ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY EXTRAMURAL FUNDS
Research/Applied Research
A common activity for which external funds are sought is research. On the Sacramento State campus, research is broadly defined to include scholarly and creative activities as well as the more traditionally-defined basic, applied, and developmental research.
Basic research is directed toward a more complete knowledge of a particular subject without regard for the practical applications of such knowledge. Many National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and Public Health Service grants support basic research. Applied research is research in which the PI applies scientific discoveries or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, or techniques to the solution of a defined problem. Developmental research is concerned with the systematic use of scientific and technical knowledge in the design, development, testing, or evaluation of a potential new product or service. Many contracts are awarded for applied or developmental research projects.
Training/Instruction
Training projects instruct individuals in the techniques or practices pertinent to a particular academic discipline, profession or occupation. Such awards are usually made to support the advanced training of graduate students, the in-service training of professionals, or the retraining of professionals.
Instruction projects often involve curriculum development activities, the development of new courses, the hiring of additional instructors, and/or the design and initial implementation of entirely new programs.
Travel and Conferences
Support is sometimes available for faculty to attend national and international professional meetings. In addition, funds are occasionally solicited to provide support for conferences or symposia on topics of interest to a particular funding agency.
Community Service
Community service programs/activities provide support for the purpose of organizing, establishing, providing or enhancing the delivery of services to a particular community or non-University audience.
Equipment
Some federal and foundation sponsors support the acquisition of new equipment for classroom and research use. Some companies will also donate equipment to the University. It should be noted that many programs for the purchase of equipment usually require cost sharing or matching funds.
Individual Projects/Awards
Most grants and contracts are awarded to organizations rather than to individuals. Some awards, however, are made directly to individuals. The National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipends program is one example where the award is made out to the individual faculty member.
