The policies and guidelines included in this document apply to any organization within SDSU that is called a center, institute, or other designation (e.g., Academy) without regard to sources of funding, university initiatives, or external gifts.

Proposals to create a new SDSU research center or institute are authorized under CSU Memorandum AA-2014-19. Please consult this document first for basic procedural and operational policies concerning the establishment of centers and institutes. Centers and institutes can reside in a single college or multiple colleges (e.g., the College of Science and the College of Health and Human Services) as in the case of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or transdisciplinary collaborations. For example, centers or institutes can also span multiple institutions (e.g., SDSU and UCSD); however, an MOU may be required, depending on the partnering institution or shared resources. Centers and institutes shall have the ability to sponsor academic programs, continuing education programs, and/or conferences/workshops and to prepare academic curriculum to be reviewed through the normal academic internal procedures of the College(s) or University. Any academic programs or continuing education programs, including those via Global Campus, must be endorsed by the college.

Any new proposed SDSU center or institute should not significantly overlap in purpose and scope to any existing approved center or institute. Prior to submitting a proposal for a new SDSU center or institute, please review the current list of approved centers and institutes to determine if overlap exists.

The center or institute may be virtual or physical. Any SDSU faculty member or members seeking to establish a center or institute shall submit a formal written proposal to the Dean of the college in which the interim or named director of the proposed center/institute resides. If the proposed center or institute has faculty members from multiple colleges and/or co-directors, the written proposal should be submitted to the Deans of the colleges involved.

Proposals must indicate whether the new center or institute is primarily a research center/institute (e.g., the primary mission of the center/institute is focused on research or scholarship, including creativity activities) or primarily a center or institute focused on education, and/or training, and/or community engagement (e.g., the primary mission of the center/institute is not focused research). It is important to note a research center/institute could also be community-engaged or provide training or a center/institute focused on training or community engagement institute could be involved in some level of research or evaluation. However, the determination of the type of center or institute should be based on the primary focus of the proposed center/institute.

1. Designate whether this is an application for a research-focused center/institute, or a center/institute focused on education, and/or training, and/or community engagement.
2. The name of the new center or institute (see section below for difference). The term bureau shall not be used to describe these types of organizations.
3. The purpose or mission of the center or institute and a description of the major planned activities in which the center or institute will engage, including the roles of center/institute faculty, students, and affiliated community partner organizations (if applicable).
4. A description of how the center/institute aligns with the mission and strategic priorities of the CSU, SDSU as well as the college(s) and academic unit(s) involved. This should also include how the center will contribute to the education and training of SDSU students.
5. For research centers/institutes, the proposal must also include a preliminary research agenda, future grant submission plans, as well as brief research project descriptions that are planned for the center/institute.
6. The center or institute’s organizational structure and operating procedures, including the name of an interim director or permanent director and a process by which a permanent director is selected and evaluated if a permanent director has not been named. A co-director leadership structure may be appropriate. Please indicate this proposed structure in the application.
7. The appropriate college Dean(s) will make final approval of the director. Directors will be reviewed by college Deans every five years for renewal of appointment.
8. A list of all the principal faculty members involved in the center/institute, including research faculty (a center/institute must include at least three SDSU faculty members; for a multiple institutional center or institute, at least two faculty members must come from partnering institution(s)). This should also include a procedure for how new faculty will be selected to participate in the center/institute as well as how faculty may be removed from being listed as participants. The addition or removal of faculty from a center should be done annually and be included in the annual brief report.
9. A description and a detailed projected budget of the center or institute’s initial or potential funding sources (e.g., SDSU Research Foundation funds, grants funding, stateside funds, etc.). Please include any seed funding being provided by a college, department/school, or other university unit, including release time, salaries, equipment, or travel funds.
10. If space is needed for the center or institute, provide a detailed explanation of how the space will be allocated and funded (if applicable), the location of the space, and whether it is stateside or SDSU Research Foundation space.

11. Proposals to create a new SDSU center or institute must include clear support from the academic unit(s) involved. Please include a letter(s) of endorsement from all the college Dean(s) whose faculty will be involved in the center or institute as well as the Dean(s) or appropriate administrator(s) from partner institutions (if applicable).