Stahl Center

Requirements and Review Process for Proposals
Requesting Funding for Scholarly Initiatives



Requirements for Proposals for Research Initiatives

  • Title Page
    • Abstract (maximum 250 words)
    • 3-5 page summary providing:
      • Purpose and specific aims
      • Background and significance to real estate
      • Methodology (include a description of the design, sample, variables,  measures and instruments, procedures, data analysis)
  • Human subjects’ protection (if using human subjects, Institutional Review Board approval  must be submitted with the proposal along with certification of IRB training)
  • Cited references
  • Attach relevant supporting documents (e.g., copies of survey instruments used to collect data, consent and debriefing forms)
  • Budget (include requested amounts for stipends, equipment/supplies, student research   assistants, and other expenses)
  • Student Research Assistants, if needed (see Form C)
  • Statement addressing how this research will advance the Stahl Center’s goals.
  • Dean and Chair/Program Director review (see Form A)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Timeline
  • Consultants, if used
  • Description of facilities/setting, if appropriate

Requirements for Proposals for Education and Community Outreach Initiatives

  • Title page
  • Abstract (maximum 250 words)
  • 3-5 page summary providing:
    • Purpose and specific aims
    • Background and significance to real estate
    • Methodology
  • Cited references
  • Relevant supporting documents
  • Budget (include requested amounts for stipends, equipment/supplies, student research  assistants and other expenses)
  • Student Research Assistants, if needed (see Form C)
  • Statement addressing how this project/initiative will advance the Stahl Center’s goals.
  • Dean and Chair/Program Director review (see Form A)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Timeline
  • Consultants, if used
  • Description of facilities/setting, if appropriate

Proposal Review Process

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel comprising faculty from the Stahl Center’s Research Coordinating Committee and the University at large, the Director of the Stahl Center, the Dean of the College of Business, the Provost, and topic experts:

  • Academic Director, Stahl Center – Chair of review process (1)
  • Director, Stahl Center (1)
  • At-large faculty members (2-3)
  • Dean, College of Business (ex officio member)
  • Provost (ex officio member)
  • Area experts – for proposal topics (2)
  • External consultants, as needed

The review panel will have three meetings per year to consider proposals. The panel will comprise the Academic Director and the Director of the Stahl Center, a minimum of two at-large members, the Dean of the College of Business (ex officio), and the Provost (ex officio).  The at-large faculty reviewers will be members of the Stahl Center Research Coordinating Committee and will serve on the review panel for one year.  The area experts and external consultants will be identified by the Academic Director based on the content of the proposals.

Proposals are first screened by the Academic Director and Director of the Stahl Center to assure that applications are complete and relevant to real estate.  Incomplete proposals will be returned to the applicant.

Proposals are then distributed to reviewers and evaluated using the review criteria specified below.

Proposal review outcomes are:

  • Approved – no changes needed
  • Conditional approval – pending clarifications specified
  • Tabled – revise and resubmit
  • Not approved

Funding recommendations of the review panel are submitted to the Provost by the Academic Director.

Funding decisions are communicated to the applicant(s) in writing.

Review Criteria

Consistent with the Mission of Lewis University, and the specific Mission and Goals of the Stahl Center, proposals are reviewed as follows:

Stage 1:  Assessment by the Academic Director and Director of the Stahl Center

  • Completeness with respect to specified proposal requirements
  • Relevance to issues related to real estate, as broadly defined
  • Eligibility of primary investigator/project coordinator

Stage 2:  Assessment by the review panel

  • Potential to advance knowledge or dissemination of knowledge related to real estate
  • Ability of the research/project/initiative to advance Stahl Center goals
  • Intellectual merit; logical well-thought out purpose and methodology; quality of scholarship; conformity to the accepted canons of the field
  • Qualifications to conduct the research or coordinate the initiative
  • Feasibility
  • Well-focused and appropriately sized (pilot projects or first-stage initiatives are  welcomed)
  • Budget and timeline are reasonable and appropriate
  • Benefits to the Lewis community
  • Project outcomes or goals
  • Impact of results of proposal; ability of the initiative to lead to new growth or knowledge in the field in the areas of research, education and/or community outreach
  • Research/projects/initiatives by faculty that involve students are strongly encouraged.  Preference in weighting of the initiatives will be given to those that involve students.

Stage 3:  Recommendations to the Provost

  • The Academic Director will convey the review panel’s final ranking of proposals  and funding recommendations to the Provost who will approve the funds.

Funding

Funding awards range from $100 to $3,000. Funding categories include:  (a) reimbursement for equipment and supplies, (b) stipends, and (c) research assistant salary.

Equipment and supplies:

Payment for supplies and equipment may be made in one of two ways: (a) reimbursement may be provided following the submission of original receipts for approved expenses, or (b) equipment and supplies may be ordered through the University with a completed purchase order using the established University processes. 

Stipends:

If requesting a faculty stipend, provide justification for the stipend, documentation of how this work is different from faculty workload, and estimated time to complete the research/project/initiative. Payment for stipends will be made through the established University payroll process and will be taxed appropriately.  Payment for stipends will be as follows:  20% at the beginning of the research/project/initiative, 80% upon completion and submission of a summary report of the project (see Form B).

Student research assistants:

A limited amount of funding is available for student research assistants (see Form C).

Disbursements should not be made as prepayments. Separate account numbers can be established for each award granted.  All funds issued to any individual are subject to IRS 1099 reporting.

Research/Project/Initiative Expenses

Only approved project expenses will be reimbursed.  Any modifications to the initial proposal budget must be approved by the review panel.  To request a modification, the principal researcher or coordinator of the project/initiative will submit an addendum to the proposal with cover letter explaining the change(s) and related rationale.  Any expense change(s) must be approved before reimbursement will be provided.  Written notification of the panel’s decision will be sent to the principal researcher or project/initiative coordinator.   

Reports

Progress reports must be submitted twice per year and/or at the conclusion of the scholarly initiative, whichever occurs first.  A summary of the outcomes of the initiative, and how they relate to the goals of the Stahl Center, must be submitted at its conclusion (see Form B).

Publications

Publications resulting from the grant must acknowledge the support from the Stahl Center as described in the award letter.  The investigator will provide the Stahl Center with a reprint of any articles published.

Presentations

A limited amount of funding may be available for the presenter of the research/project/initiative funded through the Stahl Center (see Form D).  Faculty should apply for Faculty Development funds before applying for Stahl Center funds.

Equipment

Equipment purchased with Stahl Center funds will be the property of Lewis University.

Submission of Proposals

Proposals should be submitted to:

Dr. Frank Rose
Academic Director of the Stahl Center
Associate Professor/Finance, College of Business
Tel:  (815) 836-5802
Email:  rosefr@lewisu.edu