Call for Proposals

Interdisciplinary Scientific Visualization

The Brown University SciVis Project Funding Agency (BUSPFA) is seeking
proposals for novel interdisciplinary research projects.  Projects may
include 1-3 CS295-5 researchers and 1-2 outside consultants.  Outside
consultants should be clearly identified.  Each research team should
include members from at least two different disciplines.

Each proposal should clearly and specifically state the aims of the
project, explain the significance of the work, and compare the work
with related work already done.  A work plan with demonstrable
milestones every 1-2 weeks is required, and each team should plan to
demonstrate that progress.  The schedule for the project will be 6
weeks, including time for writing a final abstract and preparing a
final presentation/demonstration.  Facilities to be used should be
described.

The cover page for a proposal should include the title, a 50 word
abstract of the project, and a list of the participants, including any
consultants.  Recommended length for the body of a proposal is 3
pages; it may be no longer than 4 single-spaced pages with 1 inch
margins and 11 point (or larger) Times-Roman fonts.  Following the
body, attach a 1 page c.v. for each participant.  Each c.v. should
list the capabilities and skills that each participant brings to the
specific project.  Information in a c.v. not directly related to the
project is discouraged.  Participants outside the class should provide
short letters of collaboration and support.

Each member of the class is responsible for being the principal
investigator (PI) and primary author on at least one proposal.  Each
member of the class should be an investigator (principal or otherwise)
on at least two proposals.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will go through a two-pass review process.  Preliminary
proposals are due 10/5/99.  Each will be reviewed by 2-3 class readers
Each PI will have 6 minutes to present high points of the proposal to
the readers in class 10/5/99 or 10/7/99, possibly in parallel
sessions.  These presentations should be prepared with the assistance
of the writing and rhetoric fellow.  The readers will then have 6
minutes to ask questions and get clarification before writing their
review.  The written reviews and the writen review of the writing
fellow will be returned to the PI by 10/12/99.

Revised proposals are due 10/19/99.  Once again, 2-3 class readers
will review each proposal and will meet in groups to score the
proposals.  These study section meetings will take place in class
10/21/99 and 10/26/99.  The study sections will make recommendations
to the program director who will then decide which proposals to fund.

The following criteria will be evaluated for each proposal:

Is the proposal interdisciplinary?  What disciplines are represented?

What is the significance of the proposed work?

Is the proposed work novel?

Does the proposal have a realistic 6-week work plan with intermediate
milestones?

Can the work be accomplished by the applicants?