Research Assistance Fund
The Research Assistance Fund provides support for student assistants for USM faculty preparing proposals for submission to an identified, external funding source. The work effort must lead to a proposal for a significantly larger project of potential interest to external funders. Students may be engaged in any aspect of research support, such as library research, data collection and analysis, transcription, or laboratory support. It is expected that, when appropriate, a budget line for student wages will be included in the proposed budget submitted to the external funding agency.
Research Assistance Fund Application
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are submitted online (see below). Faculty
members may request funds for up to one year. No more than $2500 will be
awarded for a 12-month period.
- Funds will support undergraduate or graduate student workers only. Funds may not be used to support external consultants, staff, or faculty salaries.
- Total support is limited to $2500 per year.
- Applicants must present a detailed work plan with an anticipated schedule for expenditure of funds and proposal submission
- Awardees must receive approval for any significant changes to the work plan. Failure to do so could result in a loss of funds.
- Funds remaining at the end of the grant period will return to the Office of Proposal Development.
- Final reports will consist of a brief summary of the status of the project and the proposal(s) submitted. Final reports will be due one year from the start date of the award.
Selection Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated by a team of faculty members representing diverse
university departments. Proposals should be understandable by peers outside
your own discipline, and should address the evaluation criteria listed below.
Proposals will be scored and ranked according to the following:
- Likelihood that the project will lead to a proposal submission to an external funding source (35%).
- Likelihood that the student research support will significantly enhance the quality of the submitted proposal (30%).
- Appropriateness of the work plan for the project and timeline for developing the proposal (25%).
- Significance of project outcomes to the university's teaching, research, or service missions (10%).
Competitiveness Fund
The purpose of the Competitveness Fund is to improve the quality of proposals submitted from USM to external funding agencies. Two types of activities are supported:- Travel provides travel support for USM faculty members to meet with program officers, or to attend agency technical assistance workshops for specific programs to which a proposal will be submitted.
- Reviewers provides funds for the technical review of proposals by an external consultant.
Requests for these funds are accepted on a rolling basis. Inquiries should be directed to Sharon Locke, Director, Office of Proposal Development.
Please note that departmental and Dean´s approval of all grant proposals is required before submission to an external funding source. The applicant must provide evidence of support for the proposed project before funds are released.