Due: October 1
If you are requesting funding for travel, you must complete the travel request form and reference this project using the same project name.
Purpose
The Research Development Grant (RDG) program is a source of financial support for research and scholarly activities.
Eligibility
All faculty members in the tenure system are invited to apply for RDG funding.
Research and Scholarship Projects
Any of the following general types of research and scholarly activity are appropriate:
- Conducting research that employs methodology acceptable in the applicant’s discipline
- Producing an interpretation, analysis, or synthesis of existing knowledge in a form that will provide for critical review of other scholars in the applicant’s discipline
- Developing new scholarly methods or research tools
- Developing new applications of knowledge
- Creating new artistic products or forms
- Developing new theories, philosophical views, or position papers
The following may not be included in an RDG request:
- Support for doctoral dissertation research
- Support for summer stipends and supplemental salary
- Travel to professional conferences
- Routine course development and instructional improvement are excluded except as noted above
- Purchase of equipment, unless part of an activity listed above
- Support for page charges for articles to be published in refereed journals
- Support for copyright permissions
While developing your proposal, consider the following:
- Travel may be included, but the proposal must explain clearly why the travel is essential for the conduct of the research and scholarly activity.
- Any travel support needed for an undergraduate research assistant should be included in a RDG request.
- The purchase of software, printed material, supplies and other similar materials may be included, provided the applicant makes it clear in the proposal that the purchase is directly related to the activities of the project. Any equipment purchased with RDG funds becomes the property of the University and belongs to the campus.
- For all proposals, budget items should be clearly itemized.
- Funding for undergraduate research is more likely receive support when the work will result in a student-authored product (presentation, exhibit, poster, etc.). If students are being funded to do research, they cannot also receive credit for the same work. Please note the following funding resources for undergraduate research:
Award amounts
No amount of support is too small to request. Most funded proposals range from $500 to $1,500. Proposals that request funding at a level higher than $1,500 will be considered, but these requests must clearly demonstrate the need for more extensive financial support. The competition is more intense at higher levels and necessitates a discussion with the Director of Academic Affairs before proposal submission.
Review Process
RDGs are awarded on a competitive basis. Each proposal is evaluated by the DAA. Due to limited budgets, proposals are not guaranteed funding. Some proposals may receive only partial support. Evaluations are based on the quality of the proposal and the potential contribution of the project activities to the applicant’s reputation as a scholar, teacher, and researcher.
Project Completion
Because of the temporary nature of the funds, project money must be expended by the end of the current fiscal year. Unspent funds will not automatically be held over into the next fiscal year budget.