Department of Sociology

Graduate Student Research Grant Application

1. Purpose:

Grants are intended to assist to defray the cost of conducting research for an MA thesis project. Graduate Student Research Grants (GSRG) are recommended by the Graduate Committee and awarded by the Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

2. Eligibility:

MA Sociology graduate students in good standing and having completed a minimum of 18 graduate hours are eligible for the GSRG. A student may receive only one such grant for her/his thesis project.

3. Application Deadlines -- September 15, January 31, and May 1:

The Graduate Program Director will accept applications throughout the year, but the applications will be reviewed for funding only three times.

4. Application Procedure:

Submit a clearly written proposal, preferably the thesis proposal, which describes the project, methodology, and its importance. Note that the student must have submitted a Thesis Proposal Approval Form prior to consideration for funding. If the project involves human subjects, include written approval from the Institutional Review Board. Proposals not yet approved by the IRB will be considered for merit, but written IRB approval must be received prior to funding.

4. Funding Guidelines:

Students and their thesis committees are expected to explore other funding sources first, such as internal and external research grants.

Funding for any single student project is not likely to exceed $250, but this amount is dependent on the number of applications and the state of the budget. It is most likely that a single grant will not exceed $100. All grants will be on a reimbursement basis only – so keep receipts. It is to the student’s advantage to plan and apply for funding as early in the academic year as it is reasonable. Submit an original and two copies of the proposal to the Director of Graduate Studies in Sociology. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

The Graduate Committee and department chair will award grants to applicants who have the required thesis committee approvals and have provided a justification for their request.

The following are typical reimbursable expenses:

a. Supplies – supplies which cannot be provided by the department, but are necessary to complete the thesis project.

b. Travel Funds – travel necessary to complete the thesis project. Travel to conferences or seminars not directly related to completion of the thesis is not eligible for funding.

c. Audio and Video Reproduction Costs – the cost of reproducing audio recordings, video recordings, and the like.

d. Data Files – purchase of a data base.

e. Data Management – assistance for data entry and analysis.

Graduate Student Research Grant Application

Approval Page

Name: _________________________________________________ Date: ____________

Title of Project: ___________________________________________

Projected beginning date: ______________ Amount Requested: $____________

Projected completion date: _____________

Other funding sources and amounts: ________________________________________________

Detailed budget: (Use an additional sheet if necessary.)

Signed: _________________________________________________ Date: _______

Applicant

Recommended: __________________________________________ Date: _______

Thesis Committee Chair (initials for cmt. members)

Recommended: __________________________________________ Date: _______

Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Committee

Approved: ______________________________________________ Date: _______

Department Chair

Amount funded: $__________