GPSA Funding Workshop SPRING 2018
Funding Overview
Grants & Scholarships Offered in Spring Student Research Grant (SRG) - $500, offered each semester Professional Development Grant (PDG) - $500, offered each semester Graduate Scholarship Fund (GSF) - $1000, offered each semester
Student Research Grant (SRG) $500 Development and dissemination of research including travel expenses Airfare, registration, hotel and per diem Supplies and materials necessary for research Software not available at UNM computer pods of to which the student does not have free access Printing Costs Presentation Materials Data Collection Some types of equipment Conference at which YOU ARE PRESENTING
Professional Development Grant (PDG) Up to $500 Travel expenses that further the professional and career development of students: Conferences Classes Workshops Interviews Auditions Conferences at which YOU ARE NOT PRESENTING $500
Graduate Scholarship Fund (GSF) $1,000 Designed to help students complete their degrees Need based (ranking received from Financial Aid Office) Requires FAFSA
Rules and Eligibility Requirements Must be an enrolled graduate student who has paid GPSA fee One application per semester for each grant/scholarship Anonymous Proposal and Budget (do not include your name in proposal or budget) Proposal can be a maximum of 750 words Proposals must be your sole, original work For Grants: Can fund one event or activity in the current, next, or previous semester (ie, retroactive funding) No salaries, internships, tuition, organization fees, or social function expenses An applicant is only eligible for the remaining amount of funding for GPSA Student Research Grant or Professional Development Grant if the applicant has not yet been awarded the full amount of GPSA Student Research Grant or Professional Development Grant funding per year. Per year means per summer-fall-spring funding cycle. Read bylaws online for full details
Deadlines Deadline for submission: Friday, March 2, 2018 at midnight Late applications will not be accepted Please plan ahead the grants site can get overwhelmed and crash when lots of submissions come in at the same time, so PLEASE don t wait until the last minute All applications must be submitted online at: gpsagrants.unm.edu
Writing a proposal
Know Your Audience Assume that at least two of the three readers scoring your proposal have limited knowledge of your field Avoid field-specific and technical jargon Answer all of the scoresheet requirements: Background Benefits Composition Budget Review and revise Narrative flow Grammar (when in doubt, check Purdue Owl at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/ or schedule a free appointment with a volunteer editor at the GRC - 505-277-1407)
Know Your Audience, cont. Per the GPSA Bylaws, all grant submissions are scored by three other graduate students: One from within your perspective One from outside of your perspective A third determined at random There are seven unique academic perspectives, and each reader will self-identify with the one that most closely corresponds with their academic program of study If you have applied for a GPSA Grant in the past, or previously created an account in the GPSA Grants site, you MUST UPDATE YOUR PERSPECTIVES
Perspectives Fine Arts & Design (FAD): Applies to any creative arts whose products are to be appreciated primarily or solely for their artistic, aesthetic or intellectual content. Examples: Studio Art, Music, Theatre, Dance, Film, Creative Production Humanities (HUM): Applies to academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture, or process and document the human experience. Examples: Ancient and Modern Languages, Literature, Philosophy, Geography, History, Religion Social Sciences (SOS): Applies to disciplines dealing with the institutions and functioning of human society, or with a particular phase or aspect of human society. Examples: Economics, Business, Management, Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, Political Science Behavioral Sciences (BES): Applies to disciplines dealing primarily with human action, and often seeks to generalize about human behavior in society. Examples: Psychology, Sociology, Education, Anthropology, Women Studies, Communication. Natural Sciences (NAS): Applies to sciences that deal with matter, energy, or the physical world, and their interrelations and transformations or with objectively measurable phenomena. Examples: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Astronomy, Physics. Formal Sciences (FOS): Applies to disciplines concerned with theoretical formal systems, and the theoretical branches of computer science. Examples: Computer Science, Math, Geometry, Statistics, Logic, Information Theory, Systems Theory, Linguistics. Applied Sciences (APS): Applies to disciplines that apply scientific knowledge to practical problems. Examples: Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering.
Narrative suggestions Paint a clear picture of who you are and why you are seeking funding. Give specific, vivid details on why you are attending a conference. State why attending this conference is important
Example: Poor: I will be able to network with super interesting professionals in my field at the conference.
Example: Better: I will be networking with Dr. Cornel West from Princeton whose research on the U.S. Mexico Border intersects with my dissertation chapter on reforms to U.S. federal immigration policy.
Benefits Describe benefits clearly and explicitly Be as specific as possible - poor applications suffer from being too vague How does the activity benefit: You Your academic field The reputation and academic community of UNM?
Example: Poor: Presenting this research will allow me to share my highly specialized knowledge with a broader community of likeminded people.
Example: Better: My research corresponds directly with the goals of several international research societies and expands on the information surrounding freshwater ecosystems. Presenting my work that was conducted in New Mexico on an international stage will affirm UNM s position at the forefront of freshwater research programs.
Budget Include the entire budget for the project and Remember to include other funding sources You will not be evaluated on the amount requested, but you should make sure your budget is cost-effective Demonstrate that you have researched your budget (cite web links, name special deals, etc). When possible, list specific dates, hotels, airlines, etc.
Example
Successful Applicants: Write for a general academic audience Avoid jargon and define all terms Make sure proposal is free of grammatical and spelling errors Find someone to proofread. (Seriously!) Peer in department Peer outside department Peer who has received a grant Graduate Resource Center (GRC)
Scoring and awards
SRG/PDG Scoring Rubrics: Background Old 25 Points Applicant s academic/professional interests and stage in degree program are clearly stated. (0 10 Points) Activity is described in detail: What exactly will the applicant do, where and when is it happening, and why is it significant for the applicant s interests? (0-10 points) Activity is put into context of the applicant s academic/professional field at large. (0-5 points) SRG Updated 30 Points Applicant s academic/professional interests are clearly stated. (0 or 5 points) Activity is described in detail: (0-20 points) What exactly will the applicant do? (5) Where and when is the activity happening? (5) Why is it significant for the applicant s interests? (10) Activity is put into context of the applicant s academic/professional field at large. (0-5 points) PDG Updated 35 Points Applicant s academic/professional interests are clearly stated. (0 or 5 points) Applicants professional goals are clearly stated (0 or 5 points) Activity is described in detail:, (0-20 points) What exactly will the applicant do? (5) Where and when is the activity happening? (5) How is it significant for the applicant s goals? (10) Activity is put into context of the applicant s academic/professional field at large. (0-5 points)
SRG/PDG Scoring Rubrics: Benefits Old 30 Points Proposed activity s benefits to applicant are clearly stated and linked to academic /professional development. (0-15 points) Benefits of applicant s work to academic professional community are clearly stated. (0-15 points) SRG Updated 30 Points Proposed activity s benefits to applicant are clearly stated and linked to academic interests. (0-10 points) Benefits of applicant s work to the UNM community are clearly stated. (0-10 points} Benefits of applicant s work to academic and/or professional community are clearly stated. (0-10 points) PDG Updated 25 Points Specific benefit(s) is clearly stated and explained (0-10 points) Proposed activity s benefits to applicant are clearly linked to professional development and/or career goals. (0-15 points)
SRG/PDG Scoring Rubrics: Composition Old 15 Points Proposal flows logically. Writing style is direct and actionoriented. (0-5) points Proposal is suitable for a general academic audience. Technical terms are defined. (0-5 points) Proposal shows evidence of proofreading, with few errors in grammar or usage. (0-5 points) SRG Updated 10 Points Proposal flows logically and writing is clear. (0-5) points Proposal is suitable for a general academic audience. Technical terms are defined. (0-5 points) PDG Updated 10 Points Proposal flows logically and writing is clear. (0-5) points Proposal is suitable for a general academic audience. Technical terms are defined. (0-5 points)
SRG/PDG Scoring Rubrics: Budget Current 30 Points Applicant pursued other sources of funding within the University or academic community (e.g. department, Office of Graduate Studies, Career Services), or from outside organizations relevant to the applicant s research. (0 OR 10 points) Items to be funded by SRG/PDG, applicant, or other sources are indicated as such. (0 OR 5 points) Budget appears well-researched and complete for scope of project (names of facilities, dates, itineraries, etc.), listing all spending related to activity. Choices appear to be economical and/or are explained. (0-15 points) SRG Updated 30 points Applicant has or will attempt to secure other sources of funding within the University or academic community (e.g. department, Office of Graduate Studies, Career Services),from outside organizations, or personal finances; explanations shall be included for each additional funding source. (0 OR 5 points) Budget has been completed using the GPSA Budget template; items to be funded by SRG/PDG, applicant, or other sources are indicated as such. (0 OR 10 points) Budget appears well-researched and complete for scope of project (names of facilities, dates, itineraries, etc.), listing all spending related to activity. Choices appear to be economical and/or are explained. (0-15 points) PDG Updated 30 Points Applicant has or will attempt to secure other sources of funding within the University or academic community (e.g. department, Office of Graduate Studies, Career Services),from outside organizations, or personal finances; explanations shall be included for each additional funding source. (0 OR 5 points) Budget has been completed using the GPSA Budget template ; items to be funded by SRG/PDG, applicant, or other sources are indicated as such. (0 OR 10 points) Budget appears well-researched and complete for scope of project (names of facilities, dates, itineraries, etc.), listing all spending related to activity. Choices appear to be economical and/or are explained. (0-15 points)
Graduate Scholarship Fund The Graduate Scholarship Fund shall award up to $1,000 to cover the cost of tuition and fees for graduate students The Graduate Scholarship fund shall be awarded based on need and merit Need will be demonstrated through a financial aid score provided by the Financial Aid department; all applicants will need to fill out a FAFSA Merit will be determined through a 500 word essay submission and letter of recommendation Essay should indicate the current stage of education, professional goals, and describe financial need, as well as other lines of current financial support Need will comprise 40% of the score; merit 60% A complete Graduate Scholarship Application will include: A 500 word essay, which will not include the applicant s name The completion of a FAFSA A letter of recommendation from a faculty member or advisor, which must not include the applicant s name
Funding Amounts Application Funding Allotments Graduate Scholarship Fund During the spring and fall semesters, the GSF will allocate for a minimum of 9 awards, equaling a total of $9,000 per semester; additional scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Grants Chair During the summer semester, the GSF will allocate for a minimum of 4 awards, equaling a total of $4,000; additional scholarships may be awarded at the discretion of the Grants Chair Student Research Grant During the spring and fall semesters, the SRG will allocate for a minimum of 20 awards, equaling a total of $10,000 per semester; an additional $2,000 in awards per semester may be granted at the discretion of the Grants Chair During the summer semester, the SRG will allocate for a minimum of 10 awards, equaling a total of $5,000; an additional $1,000 in awards may be granted at the discretion of the Grants Chair The Grants Chair shall reserve two of the above mentioned allotments from the allotted funds of the fall and spring semesters, and one for the summer semester for appeals. If appeals are not granted, this money will roll over into the next funding period. Professional Development Grant During the spring and fall semesters, the PDG will allocate for a minimum of 20 awards, equaling a total of $10,000 per semester; an additional $2,000 in awards per semester may be granted at the discretion of the Grants Chair During the summer semester, the PDG will allocate for a minimum of 10 awards, equaling a total of $5,000; an additional $1,000 in awards may be granted at the discretion of the Grants Chair The Grants Chair shall reserve two of the above mentioned allotments from the allotted funds of the fall and spring semesters, and one for the summer semester for appeals. If appeals are not granted, this money will roll over into the next funding period. Remaining funds shall remain in the endowment.
Reading Process Three readers total One reader from your perspective, One reader from outside your perspective, and One reader will be randomly assigned Readers are fellow graduate and professional students Readers will NOT be from your department Readers will start to be assigned as early as 3/5 All Readers MUST completed a Reader Training this semester Spring Reader Trainings will be offered at the end the cycle period
Reading Process 3-4 week reading/scoring process Readers scores are normalized and normalized ranking determines who is funded (Raw Score x Group Average) Reader Average Normalized Score Applications sent for rereads when there is a 25 point difference in highest and lowest normailized score Appeal process Any appeal must be submitted in writing within 14 calendar days of the date of notification Please see the GPSA Bylaws for appeal requirements and criteria
Questions?? Email GPSAFunding@unm.edu PREFERED METHOD of communication Stop by the GPSA Office during Grant Chair Office Hours Grants Website: gpsagrants.unm.edu GPSA Website: gpsa.unm.edu Please be patient there are more than 5,000 of you, and only one of me