Scholarships

[click to download research/projects grant application and committee form]

[click to download research/projects grant FAQs]

[click to download research/projects grant receipt tracking form]

[click to download research/projects grant terms and conditions]

Grant Criteria

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To be considered eligible for the grant, the student must meet the following criteria/provide the following:

• Be a fully matriculated graduate student (as evidenced by transcript)

• Have a program of study on file at the Graduate School as proof of progress being made towards their degree;

• Have their committee form on file at the Graduate School;

• Have proof that thesis/dissertation proposal has been defended or student is on track with work that will culminate in a degree

• • For plan B master’s students, this is in certification letter form from committee

  • • Certification letter form is available with the application to download

• Articulate exact costs for which student is requesting relief with

• • A detailed expense sheet (see timeline item of grant proposal packet in following section)

• Establish financial need by demonstrating what other funding sources have already been exhausted (major professor, department, college, club, professional association, etc) as well as inability for student to cover the costs on their own

• Provide one letter of recommendation/assertions of validity for the nature of the research/project work—that the student’s research/project work is heading towards their degree

• • from the major professor

• Submit a one-page, single-spaced essay (12-pt. font min size) detailing the nature of their research and relevance to their eventual degree as well as any specifics worth noting concerning their financial need

• Have a 3.0 GPA (or above)

Grant Proposal Format

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The application associated with this paper will function as the cover page of the “Graduate Student Senate Research and Projects Grant” Proposal that will be submitted by the graduate student interested in receiving the grant. The format of the submitted proposal will be as follows:

• Cover sheet (the application sheet provided by the GSS website)

• Abstract: maximum of 500 words

• Background: describe the significance of the research/project

• Materials & Methods: explain how the research/project will be done

• Reference Section: as needed

• Timeline: Describe here the proposed timeline for the research/project, including a detailed budget of where the money will be used^†

• • Highlight in this section what some of the limitations and pitfalls could be and how they would be addressed in terms of using the grant funds

  • Major professor must sign this page to indicate approval of the proposed use of funds

• One page (12-pt font) essay detailed in the grant criteria section (research, relevance to degree, things to note regarding applicant’s financial need)

• Unofficial copy of Graduate Transcript

In addition to these materials, the packet will also include a letter of recommendation from their major professor, which will address the following: that the student is making progress towards their degree; the research capabilities of the student; that the student has sought funding from them and other university sources already; and the character of the student. The letter will be sent in separately by the professor.

^†Travel may be an appropriate expense if it is related to the research/project. It will not be appropriate to attend a conference (that is for the travel fund). Any travel that appears to be under the auspice of the travel fund will be clarified with the applicant, and if deemed to be so will be stricken from the requested amount.

The overall packet will not exceed 7 pages in length. The unofficial transcript attached at the end won’t count towards the page limit. The packet must not be exactly 7 pages in length; if the appropriate details may be conveyed in less space, the applicant may do so without any change in the consideration given their application.

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For questions or concerns on the Enhancement Award email: [Richard Fetters]

Award Application: [GSS_Enhancement_Award_Application.pdf]

Frequently Asked Questions: [FAQs_GSS_Enhancement_Award.pdf]

EFC Worksheet Help: [EFC_Worksheet_Instructions.pdf]

How we decide who: [GSS_EA_Decision_Process.pdf]

Enhancement Award Committee: [GSS_EA_Committee_Rules.pdf]

Women & Gender Research Institute Funding

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The Vice President Research Office has increased the amount available fund graduate student travel to conferences (see www.wgri.usu.edu).

WGRI has several funding opportunities for faculty and PhD students. These include:

WGRI offers research and travel grants for USU women faculty and graduate students conducting research and creative activities in their fields, and men and women faculty conducting research on gender issues. The programs, eligibility requirements, and application procedures are summarized below.

Award decisions are made by the WGRI Steering Committee which is comprised of a faculty representative from each academic college. Faculty are eligible for up to $500 each year. Matching funds are required. Priority is given to untenured tenure-track women faculty. There is no specific application deadline. Formal application, paper acceptance, and proof of matching funds are required prior to travel. Matching funds are also required for faculty research and creative activities grants.

Graduate Student Travel and Research Awards:
These awards support women PhD students conducting research in their disciplines, or men and women PhD students conducting gender research. Monies may be used for research or travel expenses. Awards are competitive. Preference is given to women pursuing doctoral degrees in disciplines where women are traditionally under-represented (agriculture, engineering, natural resources, and science). Awards are limited to $500 per recipient.

Outside Opportunities

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[www.fastweb.com]