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In September, 2008 the College of Charleston became a member of the Federal Demonstration Partnership. FDP is a national volunteer association whose mission is to streamline the nation’s research enterprise. Its current membership includes 9 federal agencies that award research funding (such as the National Science Foundation, NASA and the National Institutes of Health), and 120 higher education or other institutions that receive federal research funding.
The College of Charleston is one of only 14* Emerging Research Institutions to be accepted for membership. The ERI category recognizes institutions that are active in research but that receive less than $20 million annually in federal R&D support. In the last 5 fiscal years, the College of Charleston’s external funding has ranged from $5.5 million to over $7 million, with on average about 85% from federal sources.
FDP is sponsored by the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable of the National Academies. Since its inception 20 years ago, the FDP has evolved from the original Florida Demonstration Project through four phases to its current framework, while continuing the mission of improving research productivity without compromising stewardship.
At the beginning of September, the FDP inaugurated Phase V, a six-year cycle during which a new set of “demonstrations” will be developed, implemented on a pilot scale among FDP member institutions, evaluated, and eventually put in place nationally if successful. Previous demonstrations that were tested and nationally implemented include “expanded authorities,” which allow federal grant recipients to implement one-time, one-year no-cost extensions and rebudgeting of grant funds without specific permission from granting agencies, and simplified terms and conditions for research awards.
The current, Phase V focus is on “researchers doing science, not administration” through reduction of administrative burden and increased efficiency of procedures and practices. The College of Charleston looks forward to using our membership in this respected organization to the benefit of our institution and its constituents.
* In addition to the College of Charleston, the 13 other Emerging Research Institution members of FDP for Phase V are: - Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
- California State University, Sacramento
- Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California
- Florida A&M University
- Geisinger Clinic, Danville, Pennsylvania
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington
- Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
- Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, Maryland
- University of North Texas, Denton
- University of South Alabama, Mobile
- University of Texas, San Antonio
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