| Batten Fellows Program Request for proposals 2018–19 Special call for entrepreneurial ecosystems research The Batten Institute at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business invites applications to its 2018–19 Fellows program, which supports diverse scholarly research projects that address topics of consequence in entrepreneurship and innovation. This year the program especially welcomes proposals that explore the antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Many regional elements contribute to entrepreneurial ecosystems, including "localized cultural outlooks, social networks, investment capital, universities, and active economic policies,"i among others. The Batten Institute is eager to support research in this emerging field in order to foster understanding of how entrepreneurial activity advances local prosperity. Submissions for this year's program are not limited to ecosystems research, although the selection committee will give special consideration to projects on this topic. Overview The Batten Institute, a center for the study and practice of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, offers limited research support for prominent thought leaders or researchers of high promise who have an active agenda that aligns with the mission and priorities of the Institute. The Batten Fellows program provides funding and other resources to generate new knowledge about entrepreneurship and innovation.ii The aims of the program are to: · Support work related to current Darden and Batten Institute research initiatives; · Advance research that results in academic articles, books, and other high-impact publications; · Provide thought leadership of importance to managers, policy makers, and the public; and · Stimulate the intellectual life of the Institute, the Darden School, and the University of Virginia. Eligibility The Institute invites established university faculty, emerging scholars, seasoned executives, and policy makers of distinction or outstanding promise to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with a PhD or other terminal degree, and to those who are researchers in good standing at a university or other research-oriented institution. Exceptions will be made for individuals of significant accomplishment who propose compelling research projects that have a high likelihood of contributing to the Institute's thought leadership in entrepreneurship and innovation. Support Batten Fellows are eligible to receive funding of up to $10,000 to support a specific research project. These grants may be used only to reimburse research expenses, including but not limited to: project-related travel, transcription, data collection and databases, research assistance, and relevant subscriptions. As a matter of policy, grants may not be used for salary support or honoraria. Term Appointments as Batten Fellows are for the period of a single academic year. The Institute highly values its Fellows and expects to engage with their work beyond their appointment. Ideally, the Fellowship period establishes a foundation for ongoing collaboration with faculty and the Institute. Acknowledgment By accepting an appointment as a Batten Fellow, the appointee accepts the responsibility for acknowledging the support of the Batten Institute in the resulting intellectual outputs, including but not limited to: papers, articles, briefings, books, cases, and conferences. Fellows will also permit the Batten Institute to feature their funded projects on its website and in other electronic or printed publications. Outcomes and Activities Projects are expected to result in publishable research, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, conference presentations, and scholarly seminars, all of which should advance the research programs of the Batten Institute. It is the expectation of the Batten Institute that Fellows will not only pursue an independent research agenda, but also engage actively with Darden faculty, students, and the wider University community. It is the Institute's desire that, when appropriate, Fellows' interactions extend to other schools at the University of Virginia. As a general rule, the activities of a Batten Fellow include: 1. Pursuing independent research and writing projects as specified in the applicant's proposal; 2. Collaborating on research and writing projects with Darden faculty members and staff; 3. Presenting seminars or workshops to the Darden community; and 4. Publishing a Batten Briefing that addresses the research focus of the Fellowship. Review and Selection The application must include a proposal for research to be pursued during the Fellowship period and a detailed budget (3-page max.). Application deadline: 1 May 2018 The Batten Fellows Review Committee will select Fellows based on: 1) the scholarly merits of the research proposal; 2) whether the proposed research falls in the domains of entrepreneurship or innovation;ii 3) collaboration opportunities for Darden and University of Virginia scholars; 4) the quality of the expected intellectual contribution; 5) the likelihood that the research project will result in the publication of papers in peer-reviewed academic journals and other research-oriented outlets; and 6) the scholarly promise or accomplishments of the applicant. How to Apply Please use the link below to upload your proposal, budget, and CV, preferably in PDF format. http://bit.ly/BattenFellows Please direct queries to: Andrew C. King Associate Director of Research and Intellectual Capital Batten Institute, Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia KingA@Darden.Virginia.edu __________ i Ben Spigel, "The Relational Organization of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 41, no. 1 (2017): 49–72. ii To evaluate the appropriateness of Batten Fellow proposals, the Institute has adopted the definition of entrepreneurship and innovation articulated by Management Science ("Editorial Statements and Abridged Policies," https://pubsonline.informs.org/page/mnsc/journal-editorial-statement): |