Frequently Asked Questions

In what areas of research can I submit a proposal?

A team jointly led by a PI from Skoltech and a PI from MIT may submit a single, integrated proposal in one of the following areas:

Research areas of science and engineering:

Data Science
Life Sciences and Health
Cutting-edge Engineering & Advanced Materials
Energy Efficiency
Advanced Studies

Areas of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship:

Course Development
Education Initiatives
Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Can I submit a proposal if I currently have an active award or in the past have received an award from either Skoltech or the MIT Skoltech Program?

If you received an award from either Skoltech or the MIT Skoltech Program in the past, and that award has expired, you can submit a proposal under this call for proposals.
If you currently have an active pilot award from the MIT Skoltech Program you can submit a proposal under this call for proposals.
If you currently have an active NGP award from the MIT Skoltech Program, then you are not eligible under this call for proposals.

Can I submit more than 1 proposal?

A person can serve as the lead MIT PI (i.e., co-Project Leader) for at most one application in this 4th Call for Proposals. A person can serve as a contributing PI on other proposals.

Does this award cover the expenses for both the MIT and Skoltech team?

The submission will include separate budgets for the MIT and Skoltech teams that will be approved separately. MIT will fund the MIT budget, and Skoltech will fund the Skoltech budget.

What is the timeline for submissions and announcements?

Submission of White Paper (WP)	September 1, 2021 (11:59pm ET)
Announcement of selected WPs	October 15, 2021
Submission of the Full Proposal (FP)	November 15, 2021 (11:59pm ET)
Announcement of selected FPs	January 28, 2022
Anticipated start date of the award	January 1, 2022

Should I submit a budget for direct costs or total proposal cost (including EB, F&A, etc.)

Please submit an MIT budget for total proposal costs, including all applicable overhead costs at the current research rates for FY 2022 listed below.

Research F&A Rate	55.1 %
Employee Benefits Rate	24.8 %
Vacation accrual Rate	8.7 %

What can the funding be used for?

MIT funding may be used for MIT salaries (including summer salaries as well as RA, postdoc, and other salaries), tuition for MIT students, materials & supplies, services, equipment, travel & meeting costs to facilitate collaboration with Skoltech, and indirect costs. MIT funds should be spent according to the applicable MIT policies.

Do I need a collaborator and what should I do if I do not have a collaborator at Skoltech?

Yes, as this is a joint project, a collaborator at Skoltech is necessary. We can assist you in connecting with a collaborator within the area of research for your proposal if you do no already have a collaborator. Please contact our office by email at mitskoltech@mit.edu.

Should the proposal be routed via Kuali Coeus (KC) at this stage?

No, the proposal should not be routed via KC. Only if an award is granted will the proposal need to be routed via KC.

How do I submit a White Paper?

A joint White Paper prepared by you and your Skoltech collaborator should be submitted by email to next.generation@skoltech.ru by September 1, 2021 11:59pm ET.

Will the MIT Skoltech Program issue another call for Pilot Grant proposals as well?

Yes, we expect to issue a new call for Pilot Grant proposals, for 2-year grants, by the end of the summer or early fall.