Large Equipment Enhancement Program (LEEP)

Supporting Transformative Equipment Needs for FSU Faculty

Program Overview

Florida State University (FSU) is pleased to announce a one-time Large Equipment Enhancement Program (LEEP) for 2025.  This new internal funding opportunity will support the acquisition of major research equipment and represents a strategic investment above and beyond the existing CRC programs.

The primary objective of LEEP is to strengthen FSU’s research infrastructure by enabling faculty to obtain state-of-the-art equipment or equipment upgrades that can significantly advance their work. By investing in high-quality research tools, FSU aims to foster innovation, elevate scholarly and creative activity, and enhance the university’s overall research capabilities across all disciplines.

LEEP invites proposals from individual faculty or faculty teams led by a PI who has been with FSU for at least six years.

• Note: The six year mark needs to be achieved by the award date.

Priority consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate significant cross-disciplinary impact and promote collaboration and innovation across multiple academic fields.

All requests must be for equipment totaling $50,000 or more.

This substantial investment underscores the university's commitment to providing its faculty with the necessary resources to conduct cutting-edge research, scholarship and creative endeavors. The equipment funded through this program is expected to have a lasting impact on the research capabilities of the university, enabling faculty to pursue ambitious projects that might not be possible with existing resources.

• Download a PDF version of the RFP here.

Deadline: 11/1/2025 at 11:59pm 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be full-time faculty employed at FSU (see LEEP Job Code Eligibility List to confirm eligibility).
• PI must have a minimum of six years of service at the university as of the application deadline.
• Applications may be submitted by individual faculty members or by teams of eligible faculty.
• Emeritus, adjunct, and visiting faculty are not eligible to apply.
• Requests must be for equipment valued at $50,000 or more (exclusive of shipping, installation, or maintenance costs).

Funding Priorities

• Preference will be given to proposals that support cross-disciplinary programs, fostering collaboration between at least two distinct academic disciplines.
• Proposals that expand research or creative capacity for multiple departments or colleges are strongly encouraged.
• Equipment that enables new lines of inquiry, broad student engagement, or external grant competitiveness will be prioritized.

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted electronically via the OVPR Funding Submission Portal in InfoReady by the November 1, 2025 deadline.
• Each proposal application must include a detailed equipment quote, a justification, and letters of support from collaborating units or departments. The components of the application are:
  • Basic information (fill-in boxes):
    • PI name, ORCiD, PI Employee ID, email address, number of years at FSU
    • Title of equipment request
    • Total amount requested for equipment
    • Total amount requested for shipping
    • Will building modification be required to install the equipment (electricity, steam, HVAC, demolition, etc.)? (Yes/No) Cost estimates do not need to be provided at this stage.
    • Equipment description (include manufacturer/model if known)
    • PI Primary Department
    • Co-PI information:
      • Co-PI name, Employee ID, email address, Department 
      • There is no limit on the number of Co-PIs on each application.
      • There is no limit on the number of applications a faculty member can be a PI or Co-PI on.
    • Note: CVs are not required for the PI or Co-PI(s).
  • The "Proposal" is a series of 3 questions, which are fill-in boxes built into the application (so no formatting is required). Each question has a 250-word limit:
    • Justification for Equipment (address cross-disciplinary impact, research/teaching need, and anticipated outcomes)
    • Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration (identify departments/colleges engaged and nature of collaboration)
    • Detailed budget and justification (include quote as attachment)
      • If facilities modifications are required for installation, include a brief description of proposed modifications (such as electrical, steam, structural, etc.), but please DO NOT contact Facilities until notified by OVPR for next steps. 
  • Budget Quote:
    • Only one quote is required at proposal stage, however, university procurement methods must be followed when purchasing the equipment. 
    • Attach your budget quote as a PDF.
  • Letters of Support:
    • Letters of Support should come from the PI's department, and any collaborating units/departments that will be financially supporting the maintenance and operation of the equipment. The Letters of Support should come from the Dean AND Associate Dean of Research AND Chair of the department, who can all sign off on the same letter (separate letters from each department member is not required). All three members need to sign off on the letter.
      • Please make sure that the Dean/Director AND Chair AND Associate Dean of Research have all signed the letter. For example:
        • MagLab: Kathleen Amm and Eric Palm need to sign the letter.
        • Biology: Sam Huckaba and Thomas Houpt need to sign the letter.
    • Letters of Support should explain the importance of the equipment to the department and (if funded) how they will support the maintenance and operation of the equipment.
    • Attach all Letters of Support as PDF documents.

Review Criteria

• Alignment with program goals and funding priorities outlined in ASPIRE
• Demonstrated need and anticipated impact of the equipment
• Cross-disciplinary reach and collaboration
• Feasibility and sustainability of equipment use
• Budget justification and cost-effectiveness

Timeline

• Program announcement: September 18
• Application deadline: November 1 at 11:59pm
• Award notifications: December 15
• Equipment purchases must be initiated by March 30, 2026 (unless special exemption is approved)

Reporting Requirements

• All awardees must submit a one-year progress report detailing usage, outcomes, and cross-disciplinary engagement facilitated by the equipment following installation.
• Additional follow-up reports may be requested by the Office of Research to assess long-term impact.

Contact Information

For program questions or further information, please reach out to the Internal Funding Program Coordinator: sbcore@fsu.edu.