Faculty seed funds

The MITOR Project promotes the two way circulation of researchers and ideas between MIT and POLITO in the fields of engineering, science, architecture, and urban studies. MITOR grants are meant to jump start new collaborations; after the exploratory phase, the PI's are expected to apply for outside funding. Funding will focus on projects that set the grounds for sustainable, long term collaborations through student involvement on both sides, the use of innovative technologies and promise of future funding.

NB: *The MITOR deadline is different from that of the other funds**Proposals need to respect the suggested length. Reviewers will not read past the suggested word count.  

Grant awards

The MITOR seed funds support four categories:

1. Research stays (3-6 months) at MIT for current POLITO Phd-students, Post-doc students and young researchers, and at POLITO for current MIT Phd-students, Post-doc students and young researchers
2. Research stays and study visits at MIT for POLITO graduate students to finish Master thesis or involvement in project ( 3 months or more)
3. Travel funds for MIT and POLITO faculty to engage in exploratory meetings, deliver lectures and hold MIT-POLITO seminars on subjects of joint investigation
4. Workshops that bring together MIT and POLITO Faculty, who have been involved in joint research or are planning future collaborations

Typical awards will range between a minimum of $5,000, for faculty exploratory travel, to a maximum of $20,000, for projects that entail extensive research stays abroad for doctoral and postdoctoral students or young faculty.

High-quality proposals which are assessed as not fundable, may receive a travel grant amounting to        $ 3000.

Selection Criteria

The MITOR project rewards proposals of scientific & lab excellence that set the grounds for sustainable, long term collaborations, and in, particular, new projects that .

1. are likely to be sustainable beyond the grant period
2. require little funding in their start-up phase
3. involve a cross-disciplinary approach
4. promote mobility  for Polito and MIT students and young researchers in order to spur new collaborations

Though the achievements of the PI's, researchers and students involved will be an important consideration, applicants will also be assessed in terms of their capacity to create lasting exchanges between the participating labs.

Funding and deliverables

• The awarded seed funds are to be used to cover direct costs (travel, housing, etc.) for the travelling students and faculty
• MITOR grants cannot be used to purchase equipment and materials
• If workshops are held outside of MIT, seed funds can only cover MIT faculty and students’ travel and living expenses
• Young faculty travelling to the partner university with the seed funds are expected to hold at least one MITOR colloquia to disseminate research objectives and scopes
• All seed fund winners are required to submit a one page report at the end of their grant

Application and selection procedure

Proposals must be submitted jointly by at least one MIT and at least one POLITO PI. Only tenure track faculty and research staff with PI privileges qualify as PI's. Awards are granted by members of the MIT Scientific Committee, after taking into consideration the assessment of their counterparts at POLITO.

The application deadline for the MITOR seed funds is September 28, 2011. All applications must be filed electronically. Please respect suggested length. Application forms are available here

To view a list of past grant recipients, please go to http://web.mit.edu/mitor/recipients/faculty.html

For a list of FAQ ‘s please go to  the FAQ’s page.

back to top