The Graduate College

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH FUND

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Graduate Student Research Fund
The Graduate Student Research Fund was established to support graduate students engaged in independent scholarly research, scientific inquiry, inventive technology, and original artistic activity. The fund is intended to help students pay extraordinary or unusual costs incurred in research projects. The typing of theses and dissertations and project papers, as well as the purchase of supplies and equipment commonly provided by the departments or by other existing grants or funds, are not considered to be unusual expenses.

To be eligible for a grant from the Graduate Student Research Fund, an applicant must be regularly admitted to a graduate degree program, in good academic standing, enrolled in at least six hours in the semester or three hours in the session that the application is made (students on "continuous enrollment" status may meet this requirement with at least one hour of enrollment in thesis or dissertation credits), and the sole and principal investigator. (Board-appointed faculty who are also registered in a graduate program are not eligible to apply for these grants.)

Applicants whose research involves human subjects, animals, and/or bio-safety requirement must provide documentation of prior approval of the research proposal by the appropriate University review body.

A graduate student is eligible to receive a maximum of two research/travel grants while enrolled in any degree program at Western Michigan University.

Grants will range up to $1,000. To encourage interdisciplinary endeavor, in 2009-10 the Graduate College will make a limited number of $1,500 awards for proposals with support from more than one department. The amount will depend, in part, on the number of applications received and the budget available and, in part, on the priority given the application by the selection committee. Normally, preference is given to applications submitted before the research project has been completed. Applicants should be aware that not all applications may be selected for funding and that not all applicants may receive the amount of funding requested. A grant must be disbursed during the academic year in which it is awarded; grant activity may nevertheless take place during the Summer II session of the succeeding academic year.

Students may also apply simultaneously for up to $500 of additional support to defray the cost of international travel. This additional support is available thanks to the generous support of the Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC).

Selection Criteria for Awards from the Graduate Student Research and Travel Funds [.doc]

Application deadlines for 2009-10: September 15, November 2, January 19 [note: date changed due to MLK holiday on 1/18], and March 15. Applicants will receive confirmation by mail regarding award status within 6 weeks after the application deadline date.

Graduate Student Research Fund Application [.doc]