PROGRAM DESCRIPTION UTSA Smart Grid Security Research SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH The Smart Grid Security Research program, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), will provide seed grants to support research into smart grid security at UTSA. One grant with a maximum of $30,000 may be awarded, based on availability of funds. Potential research areas include, but are not limited to, the following: Cyber physical systems security High assurance software for smart grids DDoS mitigation for smart grids Tamper detection of smart grid sensors Cyber attack-resiliency for smart grids Security event and anomaly detection using smart grid data Malware detection on smart grids Preference will be given to proposals that: Have a high potential for extramural funding, Propose the creation of proof-of-concept or prototype technology, Represent a new direction for the Principal Investigator (PI); and Build or strengthen cross-disciplinary research partnerships. Research that is already supported by other sources will not be approved for funding. Gap funding to bridge support between external grants or contracts will not be considered. The applicant must clearly and convincingly demonstrate that the proposed project addresses a security challenge present in smart grids. APPLICANT ELIGIBLITY Applicants must be full-time, tenure track or tenured faculty at the UTSA in residence at the time of application. Applicants may appear on more than one proposal. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION Proposals must be submitted to Jaclyn.shaw@utsa.edu. The deadline for submitting a proposal is the close of business (5:00 P.M. CST) on January 4, 2016. Awarded funds will be available on February 1, 2016. No human subjects or animal research should be proposed. The application must include the following: 1. Application Cover Page (see Attachment A) 2. Project Description: 4 page maximum 3. Key References/Bibliography: 1 page maximum 4. Biographical Sketch: 1 page maximum for each PI/co-investigator UTSA: Fiscal Year 2016 Page 1
5. Grant Agreement (see Attachment B) 6. A budget consisting of two parts: a. An outlined budget on the UTSA approved budget template (http://vpr.utsa.edu/osp/forms.php). b. A one-page budget justification providing details for all proposed expenditures NOTE: See below for budget considerations If any information items requested above are not included at the time of submission, the proposal will not be reviewed. 1. APPLICATION COVER PAGE (see Attachment A) 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION - 4 page maximum The project description must include, in this order: Executive Summary with innovative claims and impact of this research on smart grid security; Specific goals, objectives and anticipated proof-of-concept or prototype; Technical Plan, and Risks and Mitigations. The project description must be concise, limited to four typed, single-spaced pages with a 12- point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. If additional information is important to submit, an appendix may be included but there is no obligation for reviewers to read it. A violation of this format will result in your proposal not being reviewed. NOTE: It is important that you consult the Office of Commercialization and Innovation before disclosing details of any research that may be patentable. Any confidential information in this proposal must be clearly identified by marking Confidential" at the top and bottom of each page where the confidential information appears. 3. KEY REFERENCES - 1 page maximum 4. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Complete for key personnel. Do not exceed two pages for each. PEER REVIEW Applications will be reviewed by a Review Committee established by the Office of the Vice President for Research. This committee is appointed by the Vice President for Research, in consultation with the Deans. Additional faculty members may be added on an ad hoc basis by the Vice President for Research if they are deemed valuable to the review process. Committee members will be from a variety of academic backgrounds. As such, proposals should be clearly written in a way that the goals, rationale and methods of the proposed work can be understood by all reviewers. Applicants will be informed of the panel's recommendations on or about January 15, 2016. UTSA: Fiscal Year 2016 Page 2
Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria: 1. Is the technical approach feasible, achievable, completed, and supported by a proposed technical team that has expertise to accomplish proposed tasks? 2. What is the project s potential contribution and relevance to smart grid security? 3. Does the proposal describe a proof-of-concept or prototype technology that can be demonstrated at the conclusion of the effort? 4. Have potential barriers or technical difficulties been identified and mitigations formulated? 5. Does the PI (and co-investigators) have the experience necessary to carry out the project? 5. GRANT AGREEMENT - (see Attachment B) 6. BUDGET A budget must be submitted, consisting of two parts: a. An outlined budget on the UTSA approved budget template. (http://vpr.utsa.edu/osp/forms.php). b. A one-page budget justification providing details for all proposed expenditures. Budget Considerations: Awards will be up to $30,000 for a grant performance period no longer than nine months. Funding is available for salaries and wages of postdoctoral scholars, graduate/undergraduate students, technicians, and other non-faculty project personnel, technical supplies, equipment and miscellaneous expenses. Grant funds cannot be used for academic year faculty salaries; however faculty summer salary is allowable. Faculty travel that is not directly related to project research; or office equipment, including computers and laptops are not allowable. Student salaries/wages may be paid. Stipends, incentives and tuition payments are not allowed. Funding for student travel is not allowable unless the student s salary/wage is paid by the grant and directly related to project research. International travel is not allowed. This program is supported by state funding. Do not include fringe benefits or indirect costs in the budget. GRANT ADMINISTRATION The PI is responsible for the administration of grant funds. In particular, he/she must be certain that over-expenditures do not occur, and that all funds are fully expended according to institutional fiscal deadlines. All work must be completed in the 9 month performance period. The PI may transfer up to 25% of the award into different categories of spending without written permission from the Director of Research Financial Administration in the Office of the Vice President for Research as long as the category is in the original approved budget. FINAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Successful applicants must produce a final report describing research outcomes and proof-ofconcept or prototype technologies as part of the final report within one month of completion of the project. Successful applicants must also submit at least one extramural proposal for funding to support the future progress of the project, within six months of the completion of the Smart UTSA: Fiscal Year 2016 Page 3
Grid Security Research project. Grantees must submit a copy of their grant application to the VPR as part of the final reporting requirements. GRANT TIMELINE November 15, 2015 Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) announced January 4, 2016 Grant applications due by 5:00 P.M. CST January 15, 2016 Award winners announced February 1, 2016 Grant performance period begins (i.e., funds available) October 31, 2016 Grant End - All funds must be spent or encumbered November 30, 2016 Final report due to the VPR April 30, 2017 An extramural grant must be submitted no later than April 30, 2017. CONTACT INFORMATION Jaclyn Shaw Assistant Director for Faculty Development Office of Research Support One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 458-6767 Email: Jaclyn.shaw@utsa.edu Adam Fraser Senior Cyber Strategist Office of the Vice President for Research One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 458-7031 Email: Adam.fraser@utsa.edu UTSA: Fiscal Year 2016 Page 4
ATTACHMENT A: APPLICATION COVER PAGE Project Name: Name of Principal Investigator (PI): Phone Number: Email Address: PI College and Department: Name of Co-Investigator: Phone Number: Email Address: Co-Investigator College and Department: Abstract (400 words or less) UTSA: Fiscal Year 2016 Page 5
ATTACHMENT B: GRANT AGREEMENT If this research proposal is funded, I agree that my acceptance obligates me to: 1. Include the following acknowledgement on all publications resulting from this grant award. This project was funded (fully or in-part) by the University of Texas at San Antonio, Office of the Vice President for Research. 2. Release all permanent equipment (cameras, laboratory equipment, etc.) to the university. 3. Secure prior written approval from the Office of the Vice President for Research if the research to be conducted differs from that described in the proposal that was funded. Requests for such approval should be submitted to: Jaclyn Shaw Assistant Director for Faculty Development Office of Research Support One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 458-6767 Email: Jaclyn.Shaw@utsa.edu 4. Submit at least one extramural proposal for funding to support the future progress of the project, within one year of the completion of the Smart Grid Security Research project. 5. Successful applicants must produce a final report describing research outcomes and proof-ofconcept or prototype technologies as part of the final report within three months of completion of the project. 6. Adhere to the assigned Smart Grid Security Research program timeline: GRANT TIMELINE November 15, 2015 Grant Request for Proposals (RFP) announced January 4, 2016 Grant applications due by 5:00 P.M. CST January 15, 2016 Award winners announced February 1, 2016 Grant performance period begins (i.e., funds available) October 31, 2016 Grant End - All funds must be spent or encumbered November 30, 2016 Final report due to the VPR April 30, 2017 An extramural grant must be submitted no later than April 30, 2017. 7. Respond to all inquiries and communications from the Office of the Vice President for Research related to the Smart Grid Security Research funded project. Signature of Principal Investigator: Project Name: Date: UTSA: Fiscal Year 2016 Page 6