Dear Faculty: |
| USC subscribes to search databases - SPIN and SMARTS/GENIUS. These systems can be of great assistance to those interested in increasing funding and collaboration efforts. Below you will find brief descriptions of these databases, followed by suggestions on how to get started. |
| What is SPIN?: |
| Sponsored Projects Information Network is a database of 11,000+ funding opportunities from both public and private sponsors. When you specify desired sponsors, grant amounts, career level, key terms of your research, etc., a list of related funding opportunities will be returned to you. |
| What is GENIUS?: |
| This is a worldwide database of researchers in public and private universities. It allows researchers to locate professional contacts and potential collaborators in their field. You choose how much information you want to share (education, publications, funding history, etc.) and with whom (within your institution or across the web), or you can simply upload your curriculum vita. |
What if I want to use both GENIUS (display my research profile) and SPIN (perform funding searches)? |
| Bypass the SPIN set-up and set up a GENIUS profile. You will enter research key terms and searching preferences into GENIUS just as you would to perform an “Advanced Search” in SPIN. GENIUS includes a program called SMARTS (SPIN Matching and Research Transmittal Service) that generates SPIN results. It also allows you to receive automatic email notifications of funding opportunities or manually run the saved searches. |
| How do I set up a SPIN or SMARTS/GENIUS account? |
1. Go to http://www.infoed.org, and click on the “Access Info Office” graphic. We recommend you set up a profile by clicking on SMARTS/GENIUS. Not only does it return funding results automatically but also allows you to establish professional contacts which could lead to collaboration. |
2. Click on the “Create a New Profile” link on the top of the page.
|
Please note: Because USC pays for a subscription to SPIN/SMARTS/GENIUS, your affiliation must be verified. USC's SPIN administrator is automatically contacted when you attempt to set up a profile and you should receive an email from him within 24 hours regarding your verification, and after this you may complete your profile. The SPIN administrator is part of the Department of Contracts & Grants and is reachable at contracts@usc.edu. |
Want visual aids or more information on these databases? |
A very useful tutorial for both of these databases is available from the SPIN or SMARTS/GENIUS homepages. Click on “SPINplus tutorial” under Help in the bottom right corner.
|
UPC: 837 Downey Way Stonier Hall, Room 330 (STO 330) Los Angeles, CA 90089 Mail Code 1147 Tel: (213) 740-7762 Fax: (213) 740-6070
HSC: 1540 Alcazar Street CHP 100 Los Angeles, CA 90033-9002 Tel: (323) 442-2396 Fax: (323) 442-2835