2024 ACS Petroleum Research Fund New Directions (ND) Grants

Eligibility

To be eligible as a principal investigator for a ND grant, each applicant must meet all three of the PRF
eligibility criteria:

1. The non-profit institution submitting the proposal must certify that each individual listed as a principal investigator
on the cover page qualifies as a principal investigator under the institution’s policies.
2. In view of the long-standing policy of ACS PRF to give priority to support of students (undergraduate, graduate,
or postdoctoral), each principal investigator must be eligible to serve as the sole formal, official supervisor of
graduate students in graduate degree programs.
3. The terms of appointment of each principal investigator must promise reasonable continuity of service. The
appointment should continue at least through the period of funding requested in the proposal.

It is assumed that tenured or tenure-track faculty meet these criteria, and that non-tenure-track faculty do not meet all three of
the PRF eligibility criteria. One co-principal investigator (co-PI) is permitted on a ND grant proposal. The proposal does not
have to be a new direction of research for the co-PI, but the co-PI must meet the same eligibility criteria as the lead PI and
provide the same information requested of the lead PI in the application, except for the “New Research Direction
Justification”. The lead PI (who should be denoted as such on the proposal) and their institution (designated as the grantee
institution) would subcontract the co-PI through the co-PI’s institution. Any number of collaborators may participate on the
project, but no funds from a ND grant may be used to support collaborators or their respective students.

Summary

The goals of the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund are:

• To support fundamental research in the petroleum field, and
• To develop the next generation of engineers and scientists through support of advanced scientific education.

The New Directions Grants Program aims to stimulate a new direction of research for established faculty, and to support the careers of their student scientists and engineers.

New Directions Grants

The New Directions (ND) grants program provides funds to scientists and engineers with limited—or even no—preliminary results for a research project they wish to pursue, and who intend to use the PRF-driven preliminary results to seek continuation funding from other agencies. ND grants are to be used to illustrate proof of concept/feasibility. Accordingly, they are to be viewed as seed money for new research ventures.

A "new research direction" is something different from previous research performed by the lead principal investigator (lead PI). But, it may involve a field of science or engineering in which others are already working. Therefore, the proposed research should not be in the same direction as—or overlap with—current projects in the lead PI’s research group. Excluded from consideration will be

• Lead PIs who have had previous support or current funding for the project, and
• Proposals presenting ideas that are a logical extension of ongoing research from the lead PI’s laboratory.

Preliminary results and/or communications are not required.

One co-principal investigator (co-PI) is permitted on an ND grant proposal. The proposed research does not have to be a new direction of research for the co-PI. However, the co-PI must meet all other eligibility criteria as if he/she were the lead PI, and provide the same information requested of the lead PI in the application. The lead PI (who should be denoted as such) and his/her institution (designated as the grantee institution) would subcontract the co-PI through the co-PI’s institution. Any number of collaborators may participate on the project. However, no funds from the ND grant may be used to support the collaborators or their respective students.

Overhead

Not Applicable. No overhead costs may be charged, which includes secretarial and/or administrative salaries.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Additional Resources

• New Applicants: Pre-Registration Required
• Proposal Submission: PRF Portal Login
• ND Application Instructions
• Proposal Submission Overview
• Proposal Submission FAQ
• Online Help - Proposal Submission
• See Eligibility, Terms, Conditions and Guidelines for details regarding eligibility and the submission process for an ND grant.
• PRF Safety Requirements