Infectious Diseases Institute

Targeted Investments

These funds are intended to support initiatives that significantly enhance key, long-term strategic priorities identified by the IDI Executive Committee (EC)

Guidelines

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) has allocated funding for Targeted Investments (TI) intended to support initiatives that significantly enhance key, long-term strategic priorities identified by the IDI Executive Committee (EC). Different from the IDI Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant and IDI Sponsorship programs, IDI TIs are intended to support proposals from IDI members that are, or have the potential to be, uniquely transformative. 

Examples of initiatives supported include: strategic business development activities with potential to lead to long-term partnerships, support for trainees on training grants which position the IDI to compete for future training grants, development of new programs (e.g., Antibiotic Stewardship Program), large-scale, scientific conferences led by Ohio State with the potential to lead to external collaborations and/or institutional partnerships, and other initiatives that have significant, strategic, long-term impacts to the IDI and the infectious diseases community. 

Proposal requirements

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their ideas for a TI with a member of the IDI EC prior to submitting an applications. All requests will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

  1. Scope and Impact: Targeted investments are not intended to support individual research projects (Information regarding the IDI Interdisciplinary Seed Grant Program can be found on the IDI website.) Priorities for TIs include activities that: (a) are interdisciplinary (defined as a minimum of 2 disciplines and representing 2 or more colleges/units or external partners), (b) support student or trainee development, (c) advance an infectious diseases or microbiology field or area of study, and/or (d) increase awareness of IDI and Ohio State’s infectious diseases and microbiology community, including those in underrepresented disciplines. Applications should specify impact to relevant thematic programs (A-E): 
    1. Antimicrobial Resistance 
    2. Ecology, Epidemiology & Population Health 
    3. Host Defense and Microbial Biology 
    4. Microbial Communities 
    5. Viruses & Emerging Pathogens 
  2. Level and Availability of Funding. The amount requested should be carefully considered given the scope and impact of the event/request. All investment requests:  Must not present a conflict of interest.  May not include activities that support political parties, political organizations, or participation in any political campaign (whether on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate for public office). 

In general, TI amounts range from $500 - $50,000 annually. There are NO cost-share requirements. Requests for more than $2,000 require evaluation, a detailed budget and a well-articulated plan for leveraging additional support, including all collaborators and unique expertise. 

Applications will be accepted at any time. Requests will be evaluated and funding decisions made by the IDI EC. The IDI EC reserves the right to share requests with other parties, as needed, to assist with the decision-making process. Funding decisions will be made within 30 days of receipt of the request. Applicants will be informed of the decision via email. 

Funds 

Targeted Investment funds from the IDI must be transferred into a general fund (e.g., FD100). The IDI business manager will work with your unit’s fiscal professional to coordinate the fund transfer. All university and unit- specific policies and procedures must be followed for use of the funds. IDI business expenditure policies cannot override unit-specific policies. 

Investment expectations: If a request for investment is approved, is it expected that: 

  • Ohio State’s Infectious Diseases Institute will be formally recognized as an investor. 
  • The IDI Executive Committee may help shape the scope of the activity.

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) has allocated funding for targeted investments that do not meet the qualification criteria for funding by its Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant or Sponsorship Programs. Applicants should carefully review the Targeted Investments Guidelines prior to completing this form.