Grants & Awards
Research Grants for Graduate Students
Application Deadline - Fall: To Graduate School by October 1, 2008
Application Deadline - Spring: To Graduate School by February 4, 2009
Please note: Earlier deadlines will apply within your individual programs. Check with your program director for more information.
RGGS Workshops - Fall:
Tue. Sept. 9, 4:30-6:00, Graduate School Conference Room
and Wed. Sept. 10, 4:30-6:00, Graduate School Conference Room
RGGS Workshops - Spring:
Wed. Jan. 14, 4:30-6:00, Graduate School Conference Room
and Thurs. Jan. 15, 4:30-6:00, Graduate School Conference Room
Purpose
Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) awards small grants on a competitive basis to support research initiated and conducted by classified graduate students to enhance their academic progress. Although faculty advisors oversee the research, the purpose of this program is to support the research of graduate students, particularly as it relates to their thesis or final project.
Eligibility
Classified graduate students may submit a proposal for RGGS funding if they meet the following conditions: 1) good academic standing (3.0 GPA with at least 6 completed hours in the graduate program), and 2) enrollment in graduate-level coursework as a degree-seeking graduate student during the academic term for which they are seeking funding. Previous RGGS recipients are ineligible for a second grant.Awards
Funding is from non-appropriated Graduate School monies. Applicants may request up to $500. Awards may be granted for the full amount requested or for a lesser amount, depending upon availability of funds and the appropriateness of the amount requested. All meritorious applications are funded, up to the limits of the RGGS funds available for each academic term. Students must maintain good academic standing and enrollment during the tenure of the grant. Students may be allowed up to nine months to expend grant funds and submit a final accounting report. Awards are for future expenditures only. Recipients cannot request funds to reimburse money spent before the RGGS is awarded.Deadlines
The 2008-2009 program has two application deadlines: October 1, 2008, and February 4, 2009. Proposals, which are not received in the Graduate School by the established deadline, are not reviewed for funding.Application Procedure
Proposals are to be approved and signed by the student's major advisor. After being ranked by the department and signed by the chair, an original of the proposal and a Departmental Evaluation (ranking) Sheet should be delivered to the Graduate School (2202 Rendleman, Box 1046) by the deadline. The departmental ranking sheet 
is included in the current RGGS guidelines.Proposal Format
Proposals must include the cover page with proper signatures, a brief narrative, and a budget form . Applicants are advised to follow carefully the prescribed format. Narratives should be double-spaced and should not exceed five pages, exclusive of the cover page and budget form. The narrative must be written so that it can be understood by a reader who is not a specialist in the applicants area of study.
Applicants are advised to follow carefully the prescribed format. - Cover Page (including abstract)
- Background and Significance
- The problem to be solved, the need to be met, or the creative activity to be undertaken
- Significance of the research
- Hypothesis and objectives, if appropriate
- Discussion of the related literature
- Procedure/Methodology
- Design of the study; nature, sources, and method of collection of the data; and the availability of facilities, equipment and materials. Clearly describe how items requested in the budget are to be used in conducting the research or creative activity.
- Timetable for conducting the research
- Anticipated results
- Budget (You must use the attached Budget Request form)
Provide a short narrative justifying the budget. Use the attached form to itemize and detail the budget request. Supply a cost for each item requested for commodities, travel, contractual services, and equipment. See "Allowable Costs" for examples of appropriate and inappropriate requests.
Please Note: All requested items should be clearly related to the research that is to be conducted. You may not request funds to reimburse departments or other entities for money spent on this project prior to the receipt of the award.
You may use the attached RGGS Checklist in preparing your proposal.
Allowable Costs
Follow these guidelines when preparing a budget for a RGGS:
List and justify each budget item.
- Examples of appropriate requests are:
Commodities: project-specific chemicals, supplies
Travel (for the purpose of gathering data which could not be obtained otherwise): mileage, commercial fare, lodging, and per diem. However, local travel (Madison and St. Clair Counties) and travel for consultation are generally not supported.
Contractual Services: photocopying, postage
Equipment: to become the property of SIUE
Examples of requests which will not be funded are:
Equipment maintenance
Supplies which ordinarily could be obtained through the department
Funds for attendance at professional conferences
Salaries and wages
Reimbursement for money spent prior to the award
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed by the Research Projects Advisory Board (RPAB), a faculty committee of the Graduate Council. In recommending proposals for funding, the RPAB considers the following criteria:
* The ranking by the Department Chair.
* The intelligibility, clarity, and persuasiveness of the narrative.
* The originality/creativity and significance of the proposed research.
* The clarity and appropriateness of the research design and procedure. Please
remember that proposals must be written so that they can be understood
by readers who are not specialists in the applicant's area of study.
* The feasibility of the proposed research.
Fiscal Regulations
An account is established for each recipient within his or her department, where all requisitions and vouchers are handled. The department chair is the fiscal officer for RGGS accounts, and assists students in complying with accounting procedures and regulations. It is the responsibility of the individual researcher to expend funds only for approved items.Reporting
Recipients must provide the Graduate School with:
* A final accounting of grant expenditures (a
report form will be included with
award letters).
* Summary of research findings. The thesis, final project, or a documented conference
presentation may serve as the final report. You may also submit a copy of your thesis
or final project abstract, along with a copy of the signature page to satisfy this
requirement.
NO STUDENT MAY GRADUATE UNTIL BOTH REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND APPROVED BY THE GRADUATE SCHOOL.
