BLaST equipment funding opportunity

BLaST graduate assistant Madison Kosma shows off a new BLaST-funded freezer to be used in the Straley lab at the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka campus.

The Biomedical Learning and Student Training, or BLaST, program invites proposals for the purchase of equipment to support student biomedical research training. Investigators at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (all campuses), the University of Alaska Southeast (all campuses), Iḷisaġvik College, Alaska Pacific University, Salish Kootenai College, Diné College, and Fort Lewis College are encouraged to submit proposals.

Proposals must be submitted by Oct. 2, 2022.

The overarching goal of BLaST is to enhance undergraduate training and mentoring in biomedical research through increased diversity of students, increased integration of research and teaching, and enhanced integration of rural campuses into a cohesive biomedical community.

The BLaST grant allocates $150,000 for the purchase of equipment between Nov. 1, 2022, and May 1, 2023, and funds must be encumbered by May 1, 2023. This funding will be awarded to one or more investigators to support equipment purchases that enhance undergraduate student training opportunities. The amount requested for any equipment purchase cannot exceed $150,000, and it is anticipated that multiple smaller awards ($5,000-$50,000) will be chosen. Proposals must include a detailed description of the equipment requested and how the acquisition of the equipment will enhance the engagement and mentoring of undergraduate students in biomedical research.

Please keep in mind that fabricated equipment must have a total acquisition cost of $5,000 or more, is free-standing, is complete in itself, does not lose its identity when affixed to or installed in other property, and is expected to be used by the university for more than one year. Our UAF Procurement Office will not allow procurement of refurbished equipment. Also, be sure to review the University's definition and criteria for a fabricated piece of equipment before you submit.

Funding priority will be assigned to equipment, locations, and investigators that will have the greatest impact in engaging students in biomedical/One Health research and in increasing student access to research opportunities. Based on this funding priority, the following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:

Cost/benefit ratio;
Potential to create research training opportunities;
Potential to serve biomedical research needs;
Applicant's mentoring experience;
If the equipment will be used in a rural location.

BLaST staff can help with any questions about how to complete the required BLaST equipment budget template or application and can be reached at 474-5111 or uaf-blast@alaska.edu or contact Lori Gildehaus. See BLaST equipment funding announcement online.

Learn more about what is allowable and unallowable for an equipment proposal.