Introduction | Application Process | Evaluation Criteria

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Introduction

The Bureau of Educational Research has limited funds available, on a competitive basis, for graduate research assistant support for faculty for Summer 2008, Fall 2008, and Spring 2009.  Up to three awards will be made. Proposals for graduate hourly wages or percent time assistantships (maximum .25 FTE for one semester) are permitted.

The purpose of the Graduate Student Support program is to increase faculty research capacity by enabling them to hire research assistants to help with specific research projects.  The program also seeks to provide graduate students with high quality research experiences.  Highest priority will be given to those applications where funding clearly does not duplicate that available from other sources.  Joint applications for collaborative projects will be considered. 

Application Process

To apply applicants should submit a proposal that includes the following:

1. Applicant name, address, telephone number and e-mail.
2. Title of project.
3. Brief description of project (no more than 1000 words). The description should include major objectives and activities to be completed and a description of how a graduate research assistant will increase faculty’s capacity to carry out the project.  Also include how the funds will impact faculty’s research capacity and the potential longer term impact of the project for the student, faculty, the field and proposed products or interim outcomes.
4. A detailed description of graduate student responsibilities and activities. 
5. Budget and justification.
6. Sources of past and future support. (List funds obtained or pending in support of the specific project proposed and funding obtained in general in support of similar projects/research stream. Describe the types of funding including the funder name, dates, amounts, project title and brief project description.)

Submit six hard copies of the proposal to Paige Spangler in the Bureau of Educational Research in 38 Education Building.  The deadline for receipt of proposals is Monday, April 21, 2008 by 5pm.

Evaluation Criteria

In preparing and evaluating applications:

• The primary focus should be on the importance of the project.  This can be viewed in terms of the soundness of the proposed research, the magnitude of its potential contribution of the field, and in some cases, its importance for a particular faculty member.  For example - it may be that at this time graduate student support would help a faculty person start, maintain or finish a particular project that otherwise would not be possible.
• A second focus should be on the quality of the experiences for graduate students.  Opportunities for co-authorship, gaining experience with a particular methodology, or participation in a study closely related to one’s dissertation or area of interest are all indicators of quality experiences.  The grad student’s duties should be clearly described along with potential benefits that may accrue.
• As with all these competitions, student and faculty outcomes will be highly valued.  Projects that seem reasonable in scope for the time that funding is given, those that have clearly delineated goals, outcomes, and responsibilities for involved parties, and those with tangible products are desirable.  All funded faculty will be asked to submit a 1-page final report within 30 days of the end of their funded period.

The College Research Committee will review applications and awards will be made on or before May 23, 2008.