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 proposal process

  
    Project Development
The IRC believes that effectively combining art, technology and scholarship to create compelling works requires a collaborative effort. The IRC's research and project management style emphasizes a group "think-tank" or horizontal approach during the first stages of defining a project's research goals, outcomes, and implementation.

Research projects are initiated in three ways: 
  • Internally by IRC staff and faculty
  • In partnership with faculty, researchers, or other Centers at UMBC
  • By outside organizations and industry partners presenting an opportunity or problem to the IRC for assistance or development

The IRC actively seeks collaborative research projects that are unique, appropriate for a university research center and not easily accomplished commercially. It supports projects that stress high quality, scholarship,
innovation, experimentation, and at times risk-taking. Projects are selected using a variety of criteria. The most successful research projects blend these criteria together:
  • Scholarly and/or artistic merit
  • Opportunities for research in developing technologies - in particular, digital media
  • Significance in its field
  • Qualifications of the faculty member or organization to carry out the research
  • Capacity for involving students in a research or professional experience
  • Project's duration and deadlines
    • The academic year and developing components for student engagement
    • Availability of facilities and staff support

The IRC does not have internal funds for supporting projects. All projects are funded through grants, contracts, and gifts. The IRC regularly partners with organizations and individuals to find funding for projects.