Process for becoming a RED Core Facility

Requirements

To qualify as a RED Core Facility, a service center should meet the definition of a Research Service Center as defined by the Service Center Policy, and meet 4 out of 5 of the following criteria:

  • Received a minimum of $25k in recharge revenue from internal users during the previous fiscal year.
  • Have received recharge revenue from 5 or more sponsored research accounts (4W indexes) during the previous fiscal year.
  • Currently be serving researchers across 2 or more MSU departments or colleges.
  • Employ (or be ready to employ) a dedicated facility manager at a minimum of 0.5 FTE.
  • New core facilities will enter a trial period of one year once admitted into the RED core facility program and is expected to receive a minimum of $25K of recharge revenue within the first year.

Cores strive to meet these qualifications each year in order to retain core status over time. If an existing core is unable to meet these qualifications, they will enter a one fiscal year probationary period. If they are unable to re-qualify at the end of the probationary period, the core may be reclassified as a departmental service center or sunsetted.

The VPRED will establish new core facilities outside of this application process when necessary, to advance the strategic goals of Montana State University.

Application Process

Interested service centers should submit a white paper (max 10 pages) to the Research Service Center Oversight Committee (corefacilities@montana.edu). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but must be received by March 1 of each year to qualify for F&A reinvestment during the next fiscal year. Please include the following information in your white paper:

  1. A brief introduction clearly stating why you are applying to become a RED Core Facility and how the proposed core aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan and interdisciplinary research goals.
  2. Structure and business operations. A discussion of the following:
    1. The facility’s strategic plan.
    2. Facility description, including location(s), equipment, services, etc.
    3. Facility leadership and staffing.
    4. Current and potential customers, including faculty, staff, students and external entities.
    5. Safety requirements and expectations, including site visit and letters of support from Office of Research Integrity & Compliance and Office of Safety & Risk Management.
  3. Scholarly Impact. Describe the facility’s potential impact on research and scholarship. Areas of emphasis to consider include grants and contracts, publications and other creative work, patents/licensures/other economic development activities, graduate and undergraduate courses that will benefit, seminars, outreach activities, etc.
  4. Attachments. The following should be included with your application and will not count against the 10-page max for the white paper:
    1. One letter of support from your current administrative authority.
    2. Facility budget template.
    3. A list of your current user fees.
    4. A completed user fee calculation template for the upcoming FY.
      1. If requesting F&A reinvestment funds from the VPRED, please assume that your request will be approved and factor this subsidy into your rate calculation.

The committee will review applications and respond with questions or requests for additional information in 4-6 weeks. Once these are resolved, the committee will make a recommendation to the VPRED, who will provide notice of acceptance or rejection.

Please use this PowerPoint template to prepare your presentation.