Annette and Henry Baich Award
Purpose/Program Overview
The Annette and Henry Baich award was established in 2007 by family, friends and colleagues who wished to honor the memory of the Baich's dedication to learning and scholarship at SIUE. The $1,000 award is given to the most outstanding STEP (Seed Grant for Transitional and Exploratory Projects) basic research proposal as determined by the R&D committee. Eligible proposals promote scientific research within the scope of the Sigma Xi Society, a stipulation designed to honor the Baich's dedication to scientific studies as well as Annette's involvement with Sigma Xi. The Sigma Xi Society's disciplines are the physical sciences, the life and medical sciences, earth and agricultural sciences, engineering, economics, psychology, and mathematics.
Expenditures for the Annette and Henry Baich Award may support the awardee's broader basic research agenda beyond the specific project described in the STEP application, but must fall within the guidelines described by the STEP program.
Those wishing to help support investigators through the Baich Award may make a donation to the Annette & Henry Baich Research Award Endowment.
Definition of Research
Basic research is curiosity driven. It is motivated by a desire to expand knowledge and involves the acquisition of knowledge for knowledge's sake. It is intended to answer why, what or how questions and increase understanding of fundamental principles. Basic research does not have immediate commercial objectives and although it certainly could, it may not necessarily result in an invention or a solution to a practical problem.
Eligibility
All full-time continuing members of the faculty, including research faculty, who submit a basic research proposal to the STEP grant program, and are from a qualifying discipline [physical sciences, the life and medical sciences, earth and agricultural sciences, engineering, economics, psychology, and mathematics] are automatically eligible.
All applicants, including PIs and Co-PIs, must have submitted completed final reports and fulfilled the terms and conditions, including submission of an external grant proposal, of projects previously funded by the SIUE Graduate School at least 5 business days before this program deadline in order to be eligible for this program. This requirement applies to all PIs and Co-PIs of the previous internal award.
Award Description
$1,000 will be awarded to the best STEP application that meets the requirements of the Baich Award. If selected, additional details will be provided in your award letter.
Terms and Conditions of Award
Upon notification of award, the awardee must complete the STEP Award Acceptance Form in Kuali Build.
Awardees must 1) submit a final report for STEP in the Internal Grants Report Form in Kuali Build by the first Monday in August following the end of their award period and 2) submit a proposal to an external sponsor by June 30 of the fiscal year after the award period ends.
Timeline/Dates
- Third Friday in January: Eligible STEP applications due in Kuali Build no later than 4:30pm.
- Award notifications are anticipated to be sent out in April.
Application/Nomination Process
There is no independent application process for the Baich Award. Applicants submit their full proposal in Kuali Build by completing the STEP Application form,
Selection Criteria
Members of the Graduate School’s R&D Committee utilize the resources and scoring rubric below during their review of STEP applications:
STEP Scoring Rubric for R&D Committee Reviewers
Graduate School General Guidelines for R&D Committee Reviewers
Other Resources
Any questions concerning this program may be directed to the Graduate School at siueresearch@siue.edu.
Previous Awardees
- 2023-2024: Debanjana Ghosh
- 2022-2023: Brittany Peterson
- 2021-2022: Jon Klingensmith
- 2020-2021: Kelley McGuire and Angela Andrews
- 2019-2020: Mina Sumita
- 2018-2019: Guim Kwon
- 2017-2018: Corey Ragsdale
- 2016-2017: Timothy York
- 2015-2016: Andrew Bartlett
- 2014-2015: Jenna Gorlewicz
- 2013-2014: Jeff Darabi
- 2012-2013: David Jennings
- 2011-2012: Andrew Neath
- 2010-2011: Judy Zhang
- 2009-2010: Louise Flick
