Call for Proposals – Innovation Incubator

 

Innovation Incubator
Call for Proposals – SSWR 2025 Annual Conference

Submission Deadline

Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 11:59pm, Pacific Time

Download PDF CFP

What is it?

The Innovation Incubator is a place to receive mentorship in support of a research idea under development for funding support. It provides a space where scholars can workshop an idea, receive feedback, and strengthen their research ideas to enhance their capacity for obtaining extramural research funding in support of this project. The Innovation Incubator also expands a member’s network of scholars who may provide ongoing feedback in support of innovative ideas that address pressing social problems.

Who should apply?

Social work scholars exploring new ideas and needing feedback to achieve their research goal. The program especially targets early-career scholars ready to take the next step and apply for grant funding to support their idea but need guidance on project design or study aims. Senior scholars who are exploring a new area of scholarship or pursuing more complex research endeavors are also encouraged to apply.

How does it work?

Participation in the Innovation Incubator is through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. Co-chairs will select up to 8 proposals to participate in one 90-minute structured mentoring session at the SSWR Annual Conference. Participants must commit to attending the session and being an active SSWR member at the time of proposal acceptance. Sessions will include brief participant presentations of their idea, large group feedback, and small group discussions.

What do I submit?

You will submit two 1-page documents: a Specific Aims page and a Letter of Intent.

The 1-page specific aims page should include:
• Background + Significance
• Project description + Rationale
• Specific study aims
• Expected Outcomes/Impact

The 1-page Letter of Intent should be in a format required by a potential grant funder (e.g., WT Grant):
• Identify a potential funding mechanism within the prospective extramural funder’s portfolio
• Assess feasibility of your proposed work within the proposed funding mechanism
• Provide questions for the mentors

Proposals that do not follow these guidelines will not be reviewed.

We recognize these submissions will be works-in-progress and your ideas may not be fully developed; in fact, we anticipate that documents will be in draft form. However, your submission should represent critical thinking about the phenomenon under study with sufficient clarity for participation in the Innovation Incubator to yield results. Papers shall be no more than 2 pages, single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt or Calibri 11pt, with 0.5-inch margins. During submission, we will request the author identify up to 3 known SSWR members who could serve as reviewers and mentors during the conference session and beyond. When considering mentors, it may be helpful to discuss with them in advance their willingness to participate to ensure mentors will be available to support your proposal review should it be accepted into the Innovation Incubator program.

Review/Selection Criteria

• Strength of knowledge evidenced of the phenomenon under study
• Clarity of writing
• Alignment with social work values and ethics
• Critical thinking evidenced in questions for mentor
• Availability of mentors

Eligibility

SSWR members who have completed a PhD/DSW and are employed full-time in a position that has research expectations (e.g., faculty, research organization). Preference will be given to individuals working in minority-serving institutions. You must indicate SSWR membership will be active for 2025 to be accepted into the program.

Submission Instructions

  1. Please read this call for submissions. Download PDF here.
  2. Submit online at Confex submission site at https://sswr.confex.com/sswr/2025/incubator/cfp.cgi.
  3. The deadline is Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 11:59pm, Pacific Time.
  4. Your proposal shall include ONE (1) PDF file that includes two 1-page documents, a Specific Aims page, and a Letter of Intent. Each document shall be no more than 1 page, single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt or Calibri 11pt, with 0.5-inch margins. Combine the specific aims page document and letter of intent document into one PDF. Please name your file using this file name protocol: “LastName_FirstName_Incubator” (for example, Jones_James_Incubator)
  5. On the Confex submission form, please provide up to 3 known SSWR members (with their name, institution, and email) who could serve as reviewers and mentors during the conference session and beyond.
  6. Upon submission, please check your email for the confirmation that comes from sswr@confex.com.

Confex Submissions Site

https://sswr.confex.com/sswr/2025/incubator/cfp.cgi

Submission Deadline

Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 11:59pm, Pacific Time

Submission Form

  • Personal Info
    • Name
    • Institution
    • Position
  • Attachment
    • 1 2-page document
      • Page 1: Specific Aims
      • Page 2: Letter of Intent
    • Fill In the Blanks
      • 3 potential mentors – SSWR members
    • Attestation
      • I am currently an active SSWR member.
      • My SSWR membership will be active in 2025.

Questions

For membership status and submission questions contact A. DeeJay Hastings, CAE, program director, dj@sswr.org.

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