Graduate Research Award - Guidelines for Proposals
The Graduate Research Award may be used for any graduate student-centered activity judged by the Budget Committee to be professionally appropriate. Such uses include, but are not limited to: research supplies, research materials, research-related travel. Not intended to cover conference travel or publication fees.
Eligibility: All full-time graduate students who have reached candidacy are eligible to apply for Graduate Research Awards. All proposals must be accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member in the Department of Biology.
Format: Complete proposals must include:
a title, name, and email address for the principal investigator
a project narrative
a timetable
a budget
other associated appendices
Narratives for proposals seeking to support research must describe the research rationale, the materials and methods required, and the expected outcomes or deliverables. The narrative portion of the proposal must not exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, in a 10 point font, excluding literature cited. A timetable, a budget, and a current curriculum vitae for the principal investigator must be attached as an appendix to the proposal. Budget items must include annotations (or hyperlinks) demonstrating that the projected costs are justified. If the proposal is to support research in progress that previously received Department or University support, the applicant(s) must include an additional appendix describing the accomplishments to date and explain the need for additional support.
Award Evaluation: Graduate Research Award proposals shall be evaluated by the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee will judge each proposal on its significance, clarity of presentation, methodology and planning, and budget justification. The Budget Committee will provide a recommendation for funding to the Department within three (3) weeks of the proposal due date. The Budget Committee Chair will notify applicants of funding decisions after the Budget Committee's recommendation has been voted on by the Department.
Application Deadlines: Applications must be submitted as a single electronic file, either in an email to the Budget Committee Chair, or as otherwise directed by the Budget Committee Chair. The proposal application deadlines are at the close of business (5pm) on October 15, March 15, and June 15. In the event those dates fall on a weekend or a campus holiday, applications will be due at the close of business (5pm) on the next business day.
Limit on Awards: No principal investigator may receive more than $1,000 during a single academic year (fall semester, winter semester, and spring and summer sessions).
Distribution of Funds: Money will not be distributed from the Graduate Research Award unless the Budget Committee has made a positive recommendation for funding that was approved by the department. The Department of Biology Office will handle the allocation, distribution, reimbursement, and accounting of Graduate Research Award monies.