Research Startup Guidelines and Processes

Office of the Vice Provost for Research

Research Startup Guidelines and Processes 

To meet ETSU’s vision of being recognized as a premier R2 research university, it is essential that the university recruit faculty with significant research potential. In many disciplines, provision of startup funding is a key driver of whether or not faculty realize that potential. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) therefore strategically contributes to faculty startup packages. 

  • General Guidelines
    • The OVPR’s commitment to and investment in new faculty research startup funding is not automatic. Each request is thoughtfully considered with respect to the candidate’s potential for contributions to research and scholarly work and potential to acquire extramural funding.
    • Research startup funds represent a significant investment in the future research productivity of ETSU; therefore, deans and department chairs are expected to set aspirational yet appropriate benchmarks during employment negotiations with faculty candidates requesting OVPR research startup support. Expectations may be higher than those indicated in promotion and tenure guidelines.
    • A faculty member’s research startup package is negotiated at the time of hiring and is included in the offer letter.
    • The OVPR will contribute up to 50% of a negotiated startup package for up to a 3-year period. Extensions of OVPR startup funding are considered under exceptional circumstances and must be formally requested through the OVPR by April 1.
    • While departments and colleges can contribute as they see fit, startup funds provided by the OVPR cannot be used for academic year faculty salary, office equipment and furniture, general purpose computers and software, instructional equipment, moving expenses, effort reassignment/course buyout, or to develop new academic programs.
    • Carry forward of unused startup funds at the end of a fiscal year requires approval from the VPR and others providing startup funding. Requests must be made by May 1.
    • A faculty member who is successful in receiving grant funding may be able to redirect startup funds to other appropriate purposes or defer access for no more than two years. The VPR and college must approve such requests.
    • All candidates for positions receiving startup fund support from the OVPR must be interviewed by the Vice Provost for Research.
  • Process

    In colleges that have one, the ADR is typically involved in the startup package negotiation process. Department chairs are therefore encouraged and expected to work through the ADR for OVPR startup support. The following items must accompany a request for OVPR startup support:

    • Properly executed startup request form
    • Candidate CV
    •  Detailed research plan from the applicant
    •  Itemized budget and budget justification (reasonable estimates are acceptable)
    • Cover letter from the chair or ADR, to include a brief summary of the candidate’s strengths, teaching load over the startup period, and productivity expectations. Based on the information provided, the VPR will communicate with the ADR regarding the amount of funding support the OVPR is willing to provide.
  • Accountability
    • Recipients of OVPR research startup funds must submit a completed Cumulative Annual Report for Faculty Startup Recipients. The Report is due to the chair, ADR, and VPR by August 1 following each year of startup funding. Lack of progress on the research plan, as evaluated by the ADR and VPR, could impact funding of remaining startup dollars.
    • In collaboration with the ADR, the OVPR evaluates research productivity at the department and college level. This evaluation informs future investments in unit and college startup packages.