Search

The Research Initiation Grants (RIGs) assist faculty in the developmental stages of research projects with the expectation that faculty will pursue external funding for the full study.

 

Eligibility

All full-time faculty of the College of Education at University Park are eligible to apply. Faculty are expected to use Research Incentive Funds (RIF) and start-up funds prior to or in conjunction with these grants.

Purpose

Funding for an individual investigator to prepare for submission to a foundation. The funding limit is capped at $5,000. There will be one competition for funding in the Fall.

Application Steps & Deadlines

Faculty members should schedule a meeting with the Associate Dean for Research to review the proposed project plan.

Pre-proposal meetings must occur prior to: October 15.

 

Following the pre-proposal meeting, the PI will prepare and submit their proposal.

Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 30.

Use of Funds

These funds may be used to support travel to study sites for data collection or analysis, instrument development, meeting with potential sponsor(s), exploratory data analysis, purchase of research materials, and funding for a summer graduate assistant. Funding may not be used for course buyouts.

Priority

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate:

  • Potential for preparing competitive proposals for external funding.
  • A connection to educational equity.

Funding Guidelines

  • Proposed award amounts will be determined in consultation with the Associate Dean for Research at the pre-proposal meeting.
  • The amount funded (up to $5,000) will be based on the proposed budget, the committee’s recommendation, the department’s contributions, and the amount of funding available through the Associate Dean’s Office.
  • Funds cannot be used for course buyouts, travel to conferences, or for salary supplement (e.g., summer salary).
  • All proposals will receive feedback from the committee.
  • Cost-sharing agreements with departments and SSRI are permitted and welcome.
  • Awardees are expected to submit a brief report at the end of their project that summarizes the outcomes of the project, as well as the potential for future external funding.

Proposal Review

A committee of senior faculty with significant grant experience will be established to review all proposals/requests. The Associate Dean for Research in consultation with the Head of each Academic Department will appoint one member from each Department to the committee. 

Promising Proposals

If a proposal is designated by the committee as “promising but needing further work,” the author(s) will be assigned a research mentor from the College and encouraged to resubmit in the next competition.

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Cover page:

  • Name of individual (or unit), and academic rank

  • Date of submission Department and campus location

  • Title of project/request

  • Amount requested

  • When funds are needed (Date range - e.g., November 1, 2023- June 30, 2024)

  • Abstract, limited to 200 words

Narrative:

1500 words or less, double-spaced, 12-point font, one side of page only

Include enough specificity to allow substantive review by the Research Committee and outside reviewers (the narrative should be accessible to non-specialists).

 

Narrative should include:

  • a description of the conceptual framework and objectives of the research;
  • a brief description of the research design, methodology, and data analysis procedures to be used to accomplish the objectives of the project (if appropriate);
  • a brief description of pertinent research already conducted;
  • an explanation of the significance of the work;
  • a description of the value of the research for addressing equity issues in education;
  • proposed dates for expending funds and research/work plan;
  • plans for submission of this or related proposals to external funding agencies. Provide the name of the agency, specific program (if applicable), and anticipated deadline(s) for submission.

References:

Not to exceed 1 page

  • short list of relevant references.

Supporting Material:

  • A letter of support from the department head briefly explaining how this study fits within both the department and degree programs’ research goals must accompany the proposal.

  • Any ancillary material deemed important in establishing the project's significance and quality (e.g., any external funding current or pending, copy of the proposed survey instrument).

  • Vitae of the submitting faculty member(s) – use the government SciEN cv link to create a 3-page CV biosketch: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/senior-personnel-documents#biographical-sketch-0bd

Draft Budget Items to Consider:

  • Faculty should prepare the budget with the Office of Grants and Contracts. See Intent to Submit Form.

  • The drafted budget should be only one page and itemized as line items. Do not submit in paragraph form.

  • Line items to consider:

  • Summer graduate assistant;
  • wages travel (only if necessary to conduct the project);
  • equipment (essential to conduct the project and not available through other means);
  • data collection, instrument development, and any other project-related costs.

  • Short budget justification making clear the need for the listed expenses.

Submission:

A complete application includes the cover page, narrative, draft budget, and supporting materials. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the InfoReady system This can be done by visiting https://psu.infoready4.com and filtering the funding opportunities as “Penn State Seed Grants.”

 

 

RIG Guidelines - Revised August 2023