(a) Purpose.

1. (1) Basic Research Grant Program.

   1. (A) The Basic Research Grant Program provides matching grant funds to:

(i) Help promote and support the growth and development of scientists working in Arkansas; and

1. (ii) Enhance the status of science and technology in Arkansas-based colleges and universities by funding basic research.

   1. (B)

      1. (i) The Arkansas Economic Development Commission may fund up to sixty percent (60%) of the total cost of the basic research project being funded.
      2. (ii) Remaining project costs shall be funded with cash or in-kind services provided by the college or university proposing the research project.

2. (2) Applied Research Grant Program.

   1. (A)

      1. (i) The Applied Research Grant Program provides matching grant funds to help create applied research partnerships between private industry and Arkansas-based colleges and universities to stimulate the transfer of science and technology.
      2. (ii) Private industry match may be in the form of cash or new machinery and equipment.

   2. (B)

      1. (i) The commission may fund up to fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of the applied research project being funded.
      2. (ii)

(b) (b) However, the commission may fund up to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the applied research project if the participating private industry is principally located in Arkansas and employs up to fifty (50) persons.

1. (iii) The commission will approve for funding only those applied research projects which are likely to enhance employment opportunity within Arkansas.

(b) Eligibility requirements.

1. (1) Applicant eligibility requirements include the following.

2. (2) Applications will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

   1. (A) The application is complete and has been submitted by a qualified applicant in accordance with established deadlines;

   2. (B)

      1. (i) The purpose of the project is to promote the benefits of science and advanced technology to Arkansans by addressing an area of either basic or advanced research.
      2. (ii) Basic research projects shall establish or build upon an established institutional base of research capability and result in permanent and significant enhancement of the institution’s research capabilities; and

   3. (C) The Arkansas-based college or university has committed to provide the requisite match for the research program for which the applicant is applying.

      1. (c) Application submittal process. Potential applicants for Basic Research Program and Applied Research Program grant funds shall submit one (1) completed, signed, and dated application, using forms provided by the Division of Science and Technology of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and may be subject to an interview, a site visit, or both, during the application review process.
      2. (d) Application review and approval process.

3. (1)

   1. (A) All applications will be evaluated by division staff for completeness and for the potential to enhance research at Arkansas-based colleges and universities.
   2. (B) No financial commitment shall be made by the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to an applicant until the applicant has completed the following review and approval process.

4. (2) Applications shall consist of the following documents:

   1. (A) A project summary and cover sheet;
   2. (B) The name of the college or university applying for research funds;
   3. (C) The names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of the principal investigator and the institutional contract officer;
   4. (D) The title and technical abstract of the project proposal;
   5. (E) The amount of funds requested from the commission;
   6. (F) A statement of how the specific objectives of the project relate to commission research program objectives;
   7. (G) A review of the literature pertinent to the proposed research, including an assessment of previous research efforts;

   8. (H) A clearly-described implementation plan for the accomplishment of the project including:

      1. (i) A description of the proposed activities, including experimental design and methods;
      2. (ii) A timetable; and
      3. (iii) Information detailing the availability of support facilities, equipment, and personnel necessary for the attainment of the project’s objectives;

   9. (I) A detailed budget for the current and upcoming fiscal years including:

      1. (i) Personnel;
      2. (ii) Fringe benefits;
      3. (iii) Equipment;
      4. (iv) Supplies;
      5. (v) Travel;
      6. (vi) Indirect costs; and
      7. (vii) Support;
   10. (J) A statement and letters of commitment detailing the source and amount of the required matching funds;
   11. (K) A statement of plans for future support of the research from sources other than the commission including identification of anticipated funding sources and likely titles of the proposals to be submitted;

   12. (L)

       1. (i) A description of the qualifications of the personnel to be involved in the proposed project.
       2. (ii) Information shall include:

(b) (b) A list of recent publications in accepted professional journals; and

1. (c) (c) A record of past and current grant support received; and

   1. (M)

      1. (i) Acknowledgment that a final summary report will be submitted to the division within sixty (60) days after project completion.
      2. (ii) The report shall include:

(b) (b) The primary objectives and scope of the project;

1. (c) (c) The techniques or approaches used;

   1. (d) (d) A concise statement of findings and implications; and

(e) (e) Other information as requested by the division.

1. (3) Projects shall meet the following administrative, technical, and scientific criteria:

   1. (A) The scientific merit of the proposal, including the quality and importance of the proposed research and the suggested research procedures;
   2. (B) The competence of the professional personnel involved in the project as evidenced by relevant academic training, research, and publications;
   3. (C) The availability of administrative support and resources necessary to ensure a reasonable probability of project success;
   4. (D) The soundness of the implementation plan and the likelihood that the project objectives will be achieved;
   5. (E) The potential of the project to attract support from third-party sources; and
   6. (F) The overall probability of success of the proposed project.

2. (4) Applications for Applied Research Program Grant funds shall meet the following additional fiscal criteria:

   1. (A) The commercial feasibility of the proposed research;
   2. (B) The capacity of the proposed project to enhance employment opportunities in Arkansas; and
   3. (C) The capacity of the project to attract private investment.
3. (5) Applicants may be subject to an interview, a site visit, or both, during the application review process.
4. (6) Division staff shall prepare a project summary of each project reviewed in accordance with criteria listed in this subsection (d).
5. (7) Optional step. The executive director may request an independent review of the application, including the technology employed by the applicant, by an external expert or external experts in accordance with 15 CAR § 147-301.

6. (8) Optional step.

   1. (A) The executive director may request division staff to submit project summaries to the Research Committee of the Board of Directors of the Division of Science and Technology of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (Research Committee) for review.

   2. (B) If so requested:

      1. (i) The Research Committee will review projects in accordance with program rules;
      2. (ii) Applicants may be invited to present their projects before the Research Committee;
      3. (iii) The Research Committee may ask applicants for additional information before recommending projects for funding;
      4. (iv) Projects receiving Research Committee support will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Division of Science and Technology of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission; and
      5. (v) The board will vote, by simple majority, to determine whether or not to recommend project funding.
7. (9) Division staff will prepare a resolution for funding for each project recommended for funding and distribute for signatures.
8. (10) For projects recommended by the Research Committee, the secretary of the board will sign the resolution for funding and forward to the executive director.

9. (11)

   1. (A) The executive director, or his or her designee, after reviewing all recommendations, will sign resolutions for funding for approved projects.
   2. (B) Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing by division staff.
   3. (C) Approved applicants will be required to execute a written agreement outlining the amount, terms, and conditions of the funding.