Who manages I-SPARK?

This program will be housed in the OVPR Research Development Office, although certain aspects will require support from college business administrators, the Pre Award Office, and the Post Award Office. 

It is programmatically linked to the new Faculty Development and Collaboration (FDC) Hub being developed by Faculty Affairs. The strategy aims to provide a "one stop shop" for faculty across disciplines to come explore collaborations from academic programs to research to community programs.

Why was I-SPARK established?

In contrast to traditional single investigator awards, interdisciplinary projects and programs are more complicated to manage from proposal development to closeout. To help facilitate this process, I-SPARK was developed to facilitate and support interdisciplinary teams.

What are the goals of I-SPARK?

This program seeks to support interdisciplinary teams by establishing the following goals: 

1. Support and facilitate the formation of interdisciplinary teams across the university. 
2. Support these teams in sharpening and refining their collective vision. 
3. Prospect external funding sources appropriate for their vision. 
4. Support proposal development and submission. 
5. Support management of the funded program. 

I-SPARK does not establish any university-wide themes. The ideas will be driven by the faculty and research community. The program will leverage Temple’s rich research ecosystem which facilitates opportunities for faculty to meet and share ideas.

I-SPARK defines an interdisciplinary team as consisting of investigators and key personnel from at least three different departments or two different schools or colleges with merit given to teams who provide the best potential for solutions to complex, fundable interdisciplinary problems. We prioritize teams that demonstrate the potential to address complex, fundable research problems.

Yes, your team is eligible to apply for I-SPARK.

Team formation will be through interactions with OVPR acting as catalyst (pop ups, symposia, Grand Challenges) or though other natural catalysts (internal discussions and department meetings). To stay informed about these opportunities, please email funding@temple.edu.

Applications will open January 15, 2025. More information will be provided closer to that date.

Because of limited resources, eligibility for the enhanced proposal development support will be limited to teams who are seeking funding opportunities that exceed $500,000 and carry full indirect rates. If the team has a roadmap to larger grants and is able to identify a smaller opportunity (<$500,000) that may help establish them as an interdisciplinary collaborative team, then they could propose this to OVPR to be given consideration for personnel support from the I-SPARK program. 

In Tier 1: Collide, I-SPARK provides the environment needed to bring teams together  

1. Team Formation – Team leadership will take steps to establish a team.
   • Team formation through interactions with OVPR acting as catalyst (pop ups, symposia) or though other natural catalysts (internal discussions and department meetings).
   • Team Leadership applies to OVPR with statement of intent and buy-in from respective Deans.
2. Ideation – OVPR creates opportunities for this team to meet and organize their ideas.
   • Once established, OVPR will offer administrative support to organize and host team meetings, gather and consolidate information and reports, seek answers to questions from the team, help align the vision with general funding priorities at the federal or state levels.

In Tier 2: Catalyze, I-SPARK provides teams with funding advice and support.

1. OVPR staff will seek funding opportunities in alignment with the vision of the team and offer suggestions on adjustments of the vision to better align with funding opportunities.
   • Team identifies a project or grant target and receives prospecting opportunities from Research Development
   • Offer summaries to the team of proposal requirements and timelines 
2. Apply for seed funding which is available for early team building initiatives.
   • $1M per year divided among 6-8 teams
   • Application should ensure clear guidelines are provided to OVPR about timelines
   • Funding can be used to support: 
     • Travel to funding agency program officers, or networking conferences, etc. 
     • Host a conference or seminar series to build interdisciplinary momentum 
     • Generate preliminary data. Quick pilot studies to establish: 
       • Proof-of-Concept and feasibility
       • Team history of collaboration
       • Sample-size justification
3. External Partnerships – OVPR staff assists in identifying and connecting with outside partners where appropriate and advantageous.
4. Concept paper submitted showing clear alignment with funding prospects.

In Tier Three: Spark, I-SPARK provides support for developing complex proposals, external reviews, and submissions.

1. Proposal Development – OVPR will provide enhanced administrative project management support. This will include: 
   • Budget development
   • Vendor quotes 
   • Proposal support and reviewing narrative drafts 
   • Document supporting facilities 
   • Seeking intelligence on the sponsors objectives 
   • Help develop data management plans 
   • Establishing and updating ERA records
   • A clear trajectory with proposal timeline and due dates will be established and maintained by OVPR staff. 
2. External reviewers will be coordinated where appropriate. 
3. Employ existing University review committees, such as: 
   • McAllister & Quinn or equivalent 
   • Research Policy and Planning Committee 
   • Research Council 
4. Research Development will work closely with the Pre Award Office to ensure a smooth and on-time submission of the proposal.
5. Other components of final proposal prepared.  
6. Warm handoff to grants analyst in specific College / Center.
7. I-SPARK Program Coordinator will continue to oversee project and liaise between Interdisciplinary Team, Pre Award, and, if grant is won, Post Award (i.e. “Sherpa”).

Large proposals that cross schools and colleges are difficult to develop.  Management of externally sponsored projects that cross schools and colleges are equally, if not more, difficult to manage. OVPR is working to establish several experienced program managers that can assist these funded teams in the administrative requirements of the award. We expect to provide support activities such as financial/budget management, effort reporting, progress reports, data management plans, and compliance requirements.