Overview
As directed by Colorado statute (C.R.S.§ 23-19.7-103), the Board of Directors of the Colorado Higher Education Competitive Research Authority allocates funds to serve as a cost share from the State for proposals of Colorado public institutions of higher education for federal research funding.
Types of Research Supported
The CHECRA was initially established in 2008 to enable the State to support public research institutions in competing for large National Science Foundation (NSF) research awards. Since 2008, the Board has expanded the scope of projects for which it will consider providing a cost share. In addition to large center-type projects, the Board also considers cost shares for Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) awards from the NSF and for projects awarded to Colorado institutions under larger research consortia or institutes. Each of these types of research grants are further clarified below:
- Category 1, Large Center-type Grants: The CHECRA will consider requests for providing an annual cost-share for large NSF and other federal agency grants including, but not limited to, Engineering Research Centers (ERCs), Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) and Science and Technology Centers (STCs). These awards are typically for periods of four to six years, receive $1 to $5 million per year and are of high value to the State. The amount of the cost share provided is typically 10 percent to 30 percent, however the amount is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
- Category 2: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) awards: MRIs are one-time awards primarily from the NSF for the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument. Cost share amounts vary depending on the award and available funding.
- Category 3: Sub awards from Consortia and Institute awards: The CHECRA will consider providing individual (single) cost shares for projects supported at Colorado institutions that are part of larger consortia or institute. Upon request by one or more board members, the Board first approves the consortium or institute for eligibility of CHECRA funding. The Board then annually considers projects under that consortium or institute. As of 2021, examples of consortia approved for cost shares include the Reducing EMbodied-energy And Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) manufacturing institute, of which the Colorado School of Mines is a member; and the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) hub, of which the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University and the University of Colorado are all members,
CHECRA funds also may be used to provide a cost share for other federal research funding if approved by a majority of board members.
Criteria for CHECRA Funding
Funding is solely at the discretion of the CHECRA Board of Directors. The Board considers the following factors in determining allocation of funding:
- The size of the award being sought from the federal agency;
- The length of time of the award;
- The impact of the research (economic, social, educational);
- The contribution that the award would make to the State in terms of workforce development and training of graduate and undergraduate students, and other benefits
The Board will also periodically consider projects brought forth for consideration jointly by two or more institutions that are in research fields deemed important to the State. Board members will communicate about these “strategic funding opportunities” as soon as they are aware of funding opportunities and/or institutional interests and will seek to involve as many Colorado institutions as appropriate.
Process for Requesting CHECRA Funding
The process for requesting and obtaining CHECRA funding varies depending on which of the categories the project falls in.
Category 1 (Center-type Projects): CHECRA Board approval required before a proposal is submitted to the funding agency.
- To request a cost share for a proposal being submitted to the National Science Foundation or another funding agency, the Board member representing the institution (or another individual designated by the institution) provides to all Board members a summary of the proposed research; the amount of the requested cost share; and the benefits the award would bring to the institution and to the state. The CHECRA Board members vote within 30 days. If a majority of Board members vote in favor of the cost share, the Board secretary will provide a letter signed by the Chair to the institution for submittal with the proposal.
- If the proposal is successful, the institution will provide a copy of the award documentation to the Department of Higher Education and the project is placed on the funded list for annual cost shares.
Category 2 (MRIs): Board approval of individual proposals not required.
- All research institutions typically submit one or more proposal for MRIs each year. The CHECRA sets aside at least $300,000 annually for MRI cost shares. At each CHECRA annual board meeting, the board will review and consider all successful MRI proposals the previous year and allocate the $300,000 among those awards,
Category 3 (Institutes and Consortia): Board approval of the Overarching Institute/Consortium Required Prior to funding cost share for sub awards.
- If one or more Colorado institutions become part of an institute or consortium with subawards, the CHECRA Board will vote first on the institute’s/consortium’s eligibility for CHECRA funding. The Board will set an annual limit that will be provided as a cost share (either to a single institution or allocated among multiple participating institutions) for subawards that the institution(s) receive.