FRCAC is a University faculty committee committed to the advancement of faculty scholarship through research and creative activity outside the classroom. Committee membership consists of the following campus representatives, serving one or more two-year terms: two (2) representatives from each academic college including Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, Jennings A. Jones College of Business, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Media and Entertainment; five (5) at-large members, and two (2) trainees. FRCAC reports to the Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, and is administered by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

FRCAC performs two functions: 1) award internal grants for faculty research and creative activity, and 2) select faculty recipients for the annual Creative Activity Award and Distinguished Research Award.

FRCAC grants are intended to provide seed funding for tenured and tenure-track faculty in the preliminary stages of a larger research or creative activity agenda or program, and preferably in preparation to compete for successive external funding to support the continuation and amplification of their scholarship. FRCAC also recognizes that extramural funding is limited for some fields and is mindful of that when reviewing proposals, but the objective of FRCAC funding leveraging additional resources and “larger” future outcomes remains central to the grant-making process.

The committee has two grant-making cycles per year, in September and February. However, the February submission is reserved for those applicants who were not funded in September and wish to resubmit their proposal after revision based on committee evaluation. For further information visit FRCAC Grants. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss FRCAC grant-making objectives and process with ORSP Program Manager, Dr. Jamie Burriss.

Important Dates for 2020/2021 Funding Year

The deadlines for completing a proposal or a nomination for the current academic year are listed below:

Fall Session
Start Date: August 15, 2020  Deadline: September 15, 2020 - CLOSED	Research funds for 2020/21 Summer Stipend for 2021
Spring Session - BY INVITATION ONLY
Start Date: January 15, 2021 Deadline: March 15, 2021 - CLOSED	Research funds for 2020/21  Summer Stipend for 2021
Start: January 15, 2021 Deadline: March 15, 2021 - CLOSED	Distinguished Research Award - All of the nomination documents, support materials and letters of reference must be submitted to FRCAC@mtsu.edu by 5pm on 3/15/2021
Start: January 15, 2021  Deadline: March 15, 2021 - CLOSED	Creative Activity Award - All of the nomination documents, support materials and letters of reference must be submitted to FRCAC@mtsu.edu by 5pm on 3/15/2021