Researchers recognized for spike in grant proposals

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A. Sue Weisler

Peter Hauser, left, assistant professor at NTID, accepts the PI Millionaires award from David Bond, director of Sponsored Research Services, during the annual Principal Investigators’ Reception on Feb. 11.

RIT faculty and staff have been busier than ever in the quest for research funding. To recognize their efforts, Sponsored Research Services hosted its annual Principal Investigators’ Reception on Feb. 11.

During the 2010 fiscal year, 308 RIT researchers submitted a record 647 grant proposals, which represents a more than 10 percent increase in proposals written the previous year. That effort resulted in nearly $55 million in sponsored research funding last year.

“RIT investigators are working harder than ever at turning out proposals,” states David Bond, director of Sponsored Research Services. “The landscape is increasingly competitive, and this trend will likely continue.”

Despite a challenging environment, Bond told those attending the reception that RIT researchers continue to make significant gains. He points to the $13 million secured recently from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support the construction of a new Golisano Institute for Sustainability facility.

“This is just one example of how RIT is emerging as a significant research university. With each passing year, we get awards that we could not have competed for just a few years ago.”

Among those receiving special recognition at the event were eight new inductees as PI Millionaires. This designation is awarded to RIT researchers who have been achieved funding of $1 million or more since 2000. This year’s millionaires include:

• Robert Bowman, Kate Gleason College of Engineering

• Tracy Freas, Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies

• Peter Hauser, National Technical Institute for the Deaf

• Seth Hubbard, Golisano Institute for Sustainability

• Brian Landi, Kate Gleason College of Engineering

• Bernadette Lynch, Division of Student Affairs

• Eli Saber, Kate Gleason College of Engineering

• David Borkholder, Kate Gleason College of Engineering

Sponsored Research Services has recognized 65 millionaires since 2001.