GUIDELINES GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS

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1 GUIDELINES GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS The Graduate Student Research Grants competition is intended to encourage students to undertake research and creative projects which will contribute new insights in the student's chosen academic field. Funds requested must be related to the student's research project, creative project, thesis, or dissertation. The student must be enrolled at IUP during the period of the award. For projects involving human subjects or animals in research, the student must have either IRB or IACUC approval in place prior to proposal submission. Each proposal, after being received by the Assistant Dean for Research by the appropriate date, will be distributed to a committee consisting of faculty representing various disciplines. Therefore, the proposal should present ideas clearly in language that can be easily understood by each faculty member regardless of discipline. It is especially important that scientific proposals are written in a manner that can be understood by those outside of the discipline. Each committee member will rank proposals according to: 1. Quality and clarity of proposal description/project description. 2. Relevance and usefulness of the project. 3. Justification for funding and how funding would improve project outcomes. The deadlines and amount of grant awards are as follows: Deadline: First Monday in November First Monday in February November 5, 2007 February 4, 2008 Award Amount: Maximum of $ Maximum of $ Student researchers may submit only one research proposal per academic year. Student researchers must submit a written narrative of no more than six (6) double-spaced typed pages that include a description of the purpose and significance of the research, objectives, procedures, a budget narrative, and a reference list. Students should submit the narrative with the sections clearly identified in the order specified below. The cover page, personal information, budget form, faculty letter of support, and, if applicable, letter of IRB or IACUC approval are separate pages. All pages must be numbered. PROPOSALS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW. Proposals should consist of the following: Page 1 Pages 2-7 COVER PAGE (Use Form Provided). All signatures must be provided. By signing the cover page, the faculty advisor agrees to accept financial responsibility and administer the award for the student s research project. PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

2 I. PURPOSE AND SIGNIFICANCE. A clear, concise statement of the purpose and significance of the problem in non-technical language, easily understood by those not expert in the field. II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE/SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM. Summarize the pertinent research. Cite sources of major significance in the references, explaining their importance. III. OBJECTIVES. Clearly present objectives, hypotheses, and/or questions. IV. PROCEDURE. Describe how you will undertake the project for which you are requesting funding. Include your timeline for completing the project. Please write your proposal in a concise and specific manner so that reviewers from outside your discipline will understand your methodology. In the social and natural sciences, your project may require specific information on (a) population and sample, (b) design, (c) data and instrumentation, (d) analysis, (e) time schedule, and (f) projected end-results. Projects in the humanities or creative arts will have different requirements such as (a) project design, (b) demonstrations, showings, performances, (c) data collections, equipment, media to be used, etc., (d) time schedule, and (e) projected end-results. If you have any questions concerning the specific information required in the application, please consult a style manual for your particular discipline and/or your faculty advisor. V. BUDGET NARRATIVE. Indicate availability of facilities and equipment which will be used for this study and the need for the funding requested. Use the Budget Request Form to provide a detailed explanation of project costs. VI. REFERENCES. Include only the references that are cited in the proposal narrative. The references should not exceed one (1) page. Page 8 Page 9 PERSONAL INFORMATION. Give a brief statement of your pertinent experience and qualifications to undertake the proposed project. BUDGET REQUEST FORM. Itemize project costs for each of the applicable budget categories. Include unit costs and show the calculation for each of the categories. Total grant amount requested from the School of Graduate Studies and Research cannot exceed $500.

3 Academic departments are encouraged to support research requests where possible. If this project is receiving support from other sources, these funds should be included under "Other Funding Sources" with the source of funds identified (e.g. department). The following types of expenses are not eligible for funding: (a) costs related to typing and binding; (b) salary to student; (c) equipment which can be made available through the department or university; and (d) travel to attend conferences. Page 10 Page 11 LETTER OF SUPPORT. Graduate students must submit a letter of support from a faculty member indicating the merit of the project. This letter must be on university letterhead and have an original signature from the faculty member. IRB or IACUC APPROVAL (if applicable) Graduate students must submit the letter of approval from the IRB for projects involving human subjects in research or the letter of approval from the IACUC for projects involving animals in research. DO NOT ATTACH APPENDICES; ALL NARRATIVE INFORMATION, INCLUDING REFERENCES, MUST BE INCLUDED IN PAGES 2-7. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION One original proposal with signatures (applicant, faculty advisor, and graduate coordinator) must be submitted to Beverly Obitz in Room 120 Stright Hall by 4:30 p.m. on the deadline listed on page one of the guidelines. AWARD ADMINISTRATION Applicants and the students research advisors will be notified by letter if the proposed graduate student research grant will be funded and at what amount. A financial account with the approved grant amount will be set up by the Office of Grant and Special Fund Accounting. The student is expected to spend the funds in accordance with the approved budget, and the faculty member who is listed as the advisor on the grant s cover page will assume fiscal responsibility for administering the award. The researcher is expected to follow IUP procedures when spending funds (such as filing a purchase order, travel voucher or other necessary forms). Questions about expenditures and procedures should be referred to the fiscal accountant identified to the applicant and the researcher at the time of award. Projects are expected to be completed no later than June 30, 2008, and all unspent funds will be returned to the School of Graduate Studies and Research at that time. However, should students need to spend their funds beyond June 30 of the award year they must contact the Assistant Dean for Research no later than June 15 to request an extension. A rationale for the extension request and a timeline for expenditure of the remaining funds must be provided in writing to the Assistant Dean for Research (send information by to grad-research@iup.edu). FINAL REPORT

4 Acceptance of a grant under this program carries with it an obligation to submit a final report of the project to the faculty advisor or graduate coordinator for transmittal to the School of Graduate Studies and Research on or before October 1 of the year following the award. Example: if a student receives an award in November 2007 or February 2008, the final report is due October 1, The report should include a description of the project, the method or procedure used to conduct the research, and the findings. Requests for an extension of the deadline, accompanied by a progress report, may be submitted to the Assistant Dean for Research, Room 113 Stright Hall. All publications and/or papers produced as a result of research conducted with financial support from Indiana University of Pennsylvania should acknowledge the University as the source of funding. If you have any questions, contact the Assistant Dean for Research at (724)

5 PLEASE TYPE COVER PAGE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Name Banner # Local Address Telephone Home Address Telephone Major/Degree Advisor s Name Advisor s Dept. Advisor's Address Telephone Total Budget Requested Advisor s Project Title Abstract of research proposal/purpose (50 word limit non-technical terms) Dates and Titles of Grants Previously Received The following signatures must be obtained before submitting one copy of the entire proposal to the School of Graduate Studies and Research: Signature of Applicant Date Signature of Faculty Advisor Signature of Graduate Coordinator Date Date

6 BUDGET REQUEST FORM Name Banner # Please itemize all costs below. Include unit costs and be as specific as possible, e.g., 16 tapes x $10.00 each = $ Identify the source of funds from other sources. An additional page may be attached as needed. The total amount requested from the grant cannot exceed $500. Amount Requested from School of Graduate Studies and Research Amount Awarded from Other Sources A. Supplies and Materials $ $ Source: B. Travel $ $ Source: C. Equipment $ $ Source: D. Other Expenses $ $ Source: Total Requested from School of Graduate Studies & Research $ Total Awarded from Other Sources $ TOTAL COST OF RESEARCH $

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