The Faculty Senate has established a University Research Committee, composed of one tenured or tenure-track faculty member from each school.  Committee members are appointed by the senate on the basis of their research experience and good judgment to staggered three-year terms.  The University Research Committee reviews all proposals and ranks them after thorough discussion of each proposal.  The committee uses a definition of "research" that is broad enough to include all definitions of scholarly and creative activity as defined by the individual departments.  The committee works closely with the Office of  Sponsored Programs, which is responsible for distributing materials and receiving applications.  Deadlines and additional information are available at the Research Enhancement Program website.

College Research Enhancement Committees
In evaluating and ranking proposals, the University Research Committee is advised by a Research Enhancement Committee in each college, consisting of one elected representative of each department in the college chosen in an election conducted in the spring by the department's liaison or senator, and chaired by the college's representative to the University Research Committee.  Committee members may not submit a proposal during their term and members who resign in mid-term may not apply for a grant until the next grant cycle.

The Office of  Sponsored Programs
A representative of the Office of  Sponsored Programs serves as an ex officio member of the University Research Committee to provide procedural guidelines and information as requested by the committee.  Final determination and apportionment of funds is made by the Senate, upon the recommendation of the University Research Committee, and notification of the results comes from the Office of  Sponsored Programs.