The academic development of Wichita State University depends strongly on its ability
to attract funding from external agencies, foundations, industries and individuals
to support its research and educational programs, and the professional growth of its
faculty and staff. The Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer is responsible
for the development, management and support of the University's research and sponsored
programs activities. The Office of Research and Technology Transfer (RTT) is the University
office through which local, state and federal governmental units and other prospective
funding agencies and organizations channel their requests for special assistance under
grants and contracts, and through which most proposals for such support are processed
by the University. In the development of research and other sponsored program proposals,
faculty should use the office in making contacts with appropriate governmental, business
and foundation officials. The office works to stimulate the interests of these agencies
in appropriate University programs whenever possible, maintains communication between
the faculty, University administration, and prospective funding agencies, provides
information about grant programs to faculty, assists faculty in the preparation of
proposals and budgets and maintains project records. Another important function of
RTT is to coordinate requests to local entities such as school boards and the aviation
industry to ensure maximum institutional support and the minimum of duplicated effort.
This coordination typically involves a review of the project ideas and proposal by
the appropriate dean or director of the unit involved.
RTT administers all grants and contracts prepared and awarded for research, training
or other projects for which there are technical and/or fiscal reporting requirements,
restrictions on the specific use of funds, and commitment of University facilities
or personnel. Other grant requirements such as the review of the use of humans as
subjects or oversight of animal care, and the retention and audit of financial records,
are managed by RTT. Gifts that do not require institutional commitments as noted above
for grants and contracts are received and accounted for by the WSU Foundation. Examples
of such gifts include endowed chairs or professorships, endowed faculty development
funds, student support, lectureships and program series.
Due to the varied and sometimes overlapping paths by which funding for sponsored projects
and corporate and foundation giving are solicited and obtained, it can be unclear
to those involved whether the awarded funds fall under the purview of the WSU Foundation
or RTT. While advance communication and good-faith discussion will serve to avoid
most problems, in those situations where the possibility of confusion reasonably exists
and/or where there is initial disagreement, the CEO/President of the WSU Foundation
or the CEO/President's designee and the Vice President for Research and Technology
Transfer or the Vice President's designee shall meet and concur on the appropriate
handling of the awarded funds.
To obtain information from faculty and other administrators, the Vice President for
Research and Technology Transfer convenes and chairs the University Research Council,
which exists for the general advocacy, support and development of research and sponsored
programs throughout the University community. The council advises and makes recommendations
to the Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer on matters of policy that
promote and support research, service and scholarly and creative activity within the
University's mission. In addition to the Vice President for Research and Technology
Transfer, membership of the Research Council includes members of the graduate faculty
representing each college, the doctoral-granting departments, the National Institute
for Aviation Research, and other units deemed to be important to the growth and development
of research and creative activity at WSU. Appointments to the council are made by
the Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer in consultation with the Provost
and deans of the colleges. Members of the council are expected to represent their
constituents and to report to them and their dean the activities of the council.
