{"id":330,"date":"2024-07-23T20:02:10","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T20:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lab.prd.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/?page_id=330"},"modified":"2025-06-06T14:54:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T14:54:19","slug":"live-spark-grants","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/shared-resources-2\/live-spark-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"Spark Research Grants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">LIVE Spark Research Grants are designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration for the innovation of new learning technologies. They will stimulate applied exploration of novel learning technology ideas and directions with strong potential for impact in formal, informal, or workplace learning contexts. Working with learners of any age (from early childhood through the later phases of adult life), successful proposals will include advanced planning for real-world viability through a vision for partnerships with schools, communities, industry or through an \u00a0entrepreneurial model\u00a0 We encourage proposals that include novel applications of emerging learning technologies and particularly those that explore the use of AI and analytics to improve learning and\/or training. Priority will be given to individuals with a history of active participation in the LIVE community.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Awards<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">LIVE Spark Research Grants will provide up to $10,000 in financial support and also come with generous in-kind resources to increase projects\u2019 success. These include access to LIVE\u2019s:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Research Engineer, skilled in Web API and cloud infrastructure, Unity (Desktop \/ AR \/ VR applications), Backend development, and programming in C \/ C++, C#, Rust, and Python (including some AI model training)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Specialty hardware and software (including Tobii Pro 3 Eye tracking glasses and analysis software, VR\/AR equipment).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Newly renovated facilities in the 17th &amp; Horton building (including team workspaces, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Human Interaction Viewpoint and Embodiment (HIVE) Lab<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and soon the EngageAI Classroom of the Future and Meta VR Cave)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Extensive network of expertise in topics as diverse as mixed reality, human-centered design, multi-modal analytics, and social entrepreneurship models<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recruiting network for students available for project work\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Relationships with a wide variety of teachers, students, and schools throughout Nashville<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Collaborative forums for engaging with colleagues and students deeply invested in learning and technology\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Evaluation Criteria<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Significance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How important is the learning challenge being addressed?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Originality: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does the proposed approach introduce innovative methods or concepts?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Feasibility: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is the proposed plan of work realistic and achievable within the project&#8217;s timeframe?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Cross-Disciplinary: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does the project genuinely integrate knowledge and techniques from multiple disciplines, reflected in both the team composition and methods?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Impact: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Could the project, if successful, significantly advance or transform learning practices and\/or outcomes? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does the project ensure the solution is accessible and beneficial to a broad spectrum of learners?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sustainability:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Does the project outline a clear path for continuation or expansion beyond the grant period?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Scalability: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does the solution hold potential to be effectively expanded or adapted for broader application?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>Eligibility &amp; Terms<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All full-time Vanderbilt faculty and research scientists are eligible as PIs \/ Co-PIs\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Proposals must be made by a interdisciplinary team of individuals (generally coming from at least 2 different departments)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Proposals m<span style=\"color: #000000\">ay request a budget of up to $10,000\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Previous Spark Research Grant winners may apply, but priority will be given to first-time awardees<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Facult<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">y may submit up to one proposal as PI and one as Co-PI, however, applicants are encouraged to focus their efforts on a single proposal to ensure the highest quality of submission<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">Any external funding or industry partnerships arising based on work from a Spark Research Grant must be coordinated in collaboration with LIVE<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Allowed Use of Funds<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Graduate student, postdoc, and staff wages<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Term limited consultants \/ skilled workers\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Equipment expenses<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Materials and supplies<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/cores\/index.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CORE <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Charges<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Participant incentives<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*Exclusions: Spark Research Grants cannot be used to pay faculty salaries, or for tuition \/ financial aid for students.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 10px;background-color: #f0f0f1\">\n<h2><strong>2025 Spark Research Grant Cycle<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Important Dates<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>March 21 &#8211; Proposals Due<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">April 18 &#8211; Awards Announced<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">May 1 &#8211; Grant Work Begins<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">December 31 &#8211; Grant Work Complete<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jan \/ Feb 2026 &#8211; Spark Research Grant Results Shared at LIVE Learning Innovation Session + Final Report Due<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Proposal Submission Process<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/HBC6Wt3SfEwxk29TA\">Submit your application materials here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Title<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Abstract<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (max 100 words)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Project Description <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(max 1500 words, upload as PDF)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Challenge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The learning challenge you aim to address and its importance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Objectives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The goals of the project.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Approach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Explain how your approach is novel, how it leverages emerging learning technologies, and why you expect it to work. You should consider both technological and non-technological components of your solution.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Methodology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Detail any methods, technologies, data and resources you plan to use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Short-term Outcomes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: What immediate results do you expect by the end of the grant period? How will you make these happen?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Long-term Impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: How could your project transform learning practices or outcomes? Address opportunities for scalability if relevant.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Work Plan <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(max 500 words, upload as PDF)<\/span><\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Timeline: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provide a detailed timeline of project activities and milestones. Include any needed data controls and\/or IRB approvals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Team Composition and Roles: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Detail each team member&#8217;s expertise, role in the project, and how they will collaborate to integrate knowledge and techniques across disciplines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Sustainability Plan: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Outline a plan for how the project will continue beyond the grant period, including potential paths for external funding or partnerships or entrepreneurial models coordinated in collaboration with LIVE.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Detailed Budget with Justification (<b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">upload as PDF)<\/span><\/b><\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Itemized budget up to $10,000, categorizing expenses under allowed headings (e.g., wages, materials). Justify each expense\u2019s necessity for the project\u2019s success.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Detail desired use of any in-kind resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>For any questions regarding Spark Research Grants please email <a href=\"mailto:LIVE@vanderbilt.edu\">LIVE@vanderbilt.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LIVE Spark Research Grants are designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration for the innovation of new learning technologies. They will stimulate applied exploration of novel learning technology ideas and directions with strong potential for impact in formal, informal, or workplace learning contexts. Working with learners of any age (from early childhood through the later phases of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":492,"featured_media":0,"parent":1353,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-330","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PfnfAe-5k","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/492"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1928,"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/330\/revisions\/1928"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lab.vanderbilt.edu\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}