instrumental access 2015 reviewer training christina viola srivastava and melissa wu
TRANSCRIPT
Instrumental Access2015 Reviewer Training
Christina Viola Srivastava and Melissa Wu
Seeding Labs invests in exceptional
scientists in developing countries,
supporting vital research with
reduced-cost lab equipment and
training
for those with limited resources
but limitless potential.
SEEDING LABS’ MISSION
INSTRUMENTAL ACCESS
WHO IS ELIGIBILE?
• Academic departments at degree-granting institutions of higher education
• Located in low-, lower middle-, or upper middle-income country as defined by the World Bank– A few specific countries excluded due to US trade restrictions
• Basic or applied biology, chemistry, or a closely related discipline
HOW MUCH EQUIPMENT GOES INTO A SHIPMENT?• Sliding scale fee for our
services based on national income
• If purchased new, average shipment would cost ~$250,000
• Equipment commonly used in biology or chemistry labs
• No “typical” shipment; composition varies to meet needs
• Volume constraint: must fit in a 20-foot shipping container
• Additional guidelines to prevent any one participant from taking all of the most valuable or scarcest items
REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
• Applications evaluated by Seeding Labs staff for eligibility, triage weakest third of applications (Aug 2015)
• External reviewers read and score applications (September 2015)
• Vetting and due diligence (October-December 2015)
• Seeding Labs makes recommendations to Board of Directors (Early 2016)
• 15-17 new participants selected (Early 2016)
CHARGE FOR EXTERNAL REVIEWERS
• Read each assigned application carefully and critically
• Score three specific criteria on a 1-5 scale (5 is strongest, 1 is weakest) and support your scores with comments
• Provide any additional comments or observations you believe should be taken into account by Seeding Labs
• List any additional questions we should ask of the applicant if we get the chance
DEADLINE AND ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT• We estimate review will require 30-45
minutes per application
• Deadline is September 30, 2015 (3 weeks from today)
• If you anticipate that you won’t be able to meet the deadline, please let us know sooner rather than later!
FOUNDANT PORTAL DEMONSTRATION• Logging in• Changing your password• Navigating to assigned reviews• Opening the review form• Saving and submitting scores• Opening the application form• Anatomy of the application
Foundant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/seedinglabs/Common/LogOn.aspx
SCORING CRITERIA AND WEIGHTING
1. Case for Need (25%)
2. Likelihood of Productive Use (60%)
3. Potential Impact (15%)
CASE FOR NEED: OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
1. Lack of equipment is a barrier to achieving specific research or training objectives• Ideally there will be a direct link between objectives and
equipment• Objectives should be specific and clearly articulated– we
are looking for more than just “our objectives are to improve research and education”
2. Equipment needs described are consistent with stated objectives and use plan
3. Equipment can’t easily be obtained from alternative sources
CASE FOR NEED: WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION
• Case for Need Section: objectives linked to specific equipment needs, previous efforts to obtain equipment, and any special circumstances
• Preliminary Equipment Request: checklist and prioritized list– Keep in mind that SL may not be able to provide
every applicant with everything they request– we’ll do our best!
• Equipment Use Proposal(s): should be consistent with stated objectives
LIKELIHOOD OF PRODUCTIVE USE: OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
1. Plans to use the equipment are scientifically and/or educationally sound, consistent with stated objectives, and feasible • More types of Proposed Use is usually better, as long as the
proposals are reasonable
2. Adequate expertise and complementary resources are available to support proposed use• We’re not necessarily looking for the institutions with the
most existing capacity and expertise; we’re looking for the institutions that can feasibly follow through on what they have proposed to do
3. Equipment will be set up, calibrated, and maintained
LIKELIHOOD OF PRODUCTIVE USE CRITERION (CONTINUED)
4. Equipment will be made available to as many potential users as possible
5. There is evidence of past success as well as vision, organization, and determination
– New departments not expected to demonstrate past success.
– Please assume that new departments will be sustainable; SL will investigate this to the extent that it is possible.
6. There is evidence of awareness and support from the entire applicant department and the university administration
– Applications come from departments rather than individuals– Administration supportive and willing to share costs
LIKELIHOOD OF PRODUCTIVE USE: WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION
• Use Proposals: Detailed proposal to use equipment for education/training, research projects, and/or a core facility
• Facilities, Personnel, and Support Environment: Information about existing facilities and equipment, faculty members, current research projects, courses, and enrollment
• Administrative Plan: Plans for distribution and sharing, set-up and maintenance, and communication about the equipment
• Letters of Support: From vice-chancellor or equivalent (the person who controls the $$) and two additional faculty members
POTENTIAL IMPACT: OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
1. Use of equipment is likely to have a positive impact on the applicant institution and/or society at the local, national, regional, or global level – For example:
• Research findings likely to be relevant to public policy, public health, or economic development
• Students, faculty members, and/or community members likely to gain new skills, opportunities, expertise
• Proposed activities likely to strengthen institutions of higher education and/or raise the profile of science research and education
– Bonus points for:• Relevance to local needs and priorities• Direct involvement by policy-makers, healthcare providers,
community members, or other collaborators• Innovative approaches and/or expansion into new techniques or
disciplines
IMPACT CRITERION: WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION
• Equipment Use Proposals: Each use proposal section includes a specific question about potential impact
• Facilities, Personnel, and Support Environment: Additional background information about the faculty and students who might benefit
• Administrative Plan: Plans for communication and sharing may be relevant
NOTES, TIPS, AND SUGGESTIONS
• Do It may be helpful to read all of your assigned applications
through once before scoring– comparison may help you to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Consider each scoring component separately, remembering to focus on the operational definition, and provide comments to explain your reasoning. Your comments will be considered when making our final decisions!
You do not have to distribute your scores evenly. You can give all 1s or all 5s if warranted.
Scores and comments can be edited at any time throughout the review period, so don’t hesitate to assign preliminary scores that you intend to change and/or use the review form to take notes.
NOTES, TIPS, AND SUGGESTIONS (CONT.)
• Do Our applicants vary in their English proficiency and grantwriting
skills. To the extent possible, try to focus on substance over style.
It isn’t feasible for us to match the scientific expertise of our reviewers to the subject matter of the applications, so your applications have been assigned at random. If you happen to get an application in your area of expertise, try to be as fair as you can (while still identifying any major scientific flaws!)
Some of the applications are more complete and thorough than others. Try to judge the applicants on the information they’ve provided without making assumptions. It should not be necessary to consult outside sources (except possibly for scientific background if necessary).
We will share an edited, anonymous summary of your comments with applicants upon request. Please try to be constructive, but feel free to critique freely without fear of offending anyone!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• DoAll application materials
are confidential. Please do not share any information about the applicants or applications in person, online, or via any other medium.
Please discuss any potential conflicts of interest with Seeding Labs as they arise
