CSBS PROJECT GRANTS
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers small grants to promote research and
creative activity by CSBS faculty members. The major purpose of this program is to support
projects that are preliminary to larger works; equal consideration will be given to those done in
preparation for an external grant application.
Funds may be requested for expenses related to research and creative activity. These expenses
might include supplies, equipment, photocopying, printing, mailing, student/clerical assistance,
or travel to conduct research. Please note that travel funds for participation in professional
conferences are not provided by this program, nor are expenses related to teaching, service, or
other non-research activities.
The CSBS will offer two $500 grants and three $1,000 grants during the fiscal year.
Applications will be accepted once a year in early-December.
**IRB approval does not need to be completed prior to proposal submission, but if Human
Subjects research is required it must be approved prior to the funding being awarded and the start
of the research project. The committee will notify grant recipients of their award but the funds
will not be released until IRB approval has been documented.**
Applications for the $500 grants
Applications are DUE by 4:30 PM on December 5th, 2014. Applications for this grant should
be brief (not more than 2 pages not including vita, works cited, or budget spreadsheet) and
address the key areas outlined in the scoring system below.
Applications for the $1,000 grants
Applications are DUE by 4:30 PM on December 5th, 2014 Applications for this grant should be
brief (not more than 3 pages not including vita, works cited, or budget spreadsheet) and address
the key areas outlined in the scoring system below.
Appendices will not be permitted for either application. Applications must include the complete,
signed cover sheet. Applications missing required components (cover sheet, narrative, vita,
budget) will be returned without review.

Applications for both grants should be submitted to CSBS Project Grants, Office of the
Dean, Mail Code 0403. The Project Grants Committee will review all applications that
meet the designated criteria and provide a point total for each application. A summary of
points for each application will be available from the committee upon request.
Faculty members may submit no more than one proposal per year. All research must be
completed and receipts submitted before June 30, 2015. All published reports or exhibits aided
by this program should include an acknowledgement that the work was supported, in whole or in
part, by a Project Grant from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences of the University of
Northern Iowa.
CSBS PROJECT GRANTS SCORING SYSTEM
** All applications will be judged on a point basis according to the following scoring system.**
Project Description (40 points)
 Effective description of the project for scholars outside of the field
 Clearly stated goals, objectives, and timetable
 Connections with the literature
 Identifiable research methods
Potential Impact (30 points)
 Articulated impact on the field or area of study
 Identifiable outlet (e.g. peer-reviewed journal, esteemed publisher, external funding
agency)
 Intention to exhibit or disseminate findings
Budget and Cost Effectiveness (20 points)
 Clearly outlined budget
 Justified grant expenditures and effective use of resources
Relevant Qualifications of Key Personnel (10 points)
 Linkage between past/current research and proposed research
Total (100 points)
Priority—Community outreach (5 points)
Priority—Interdisciplinary collaboration (5 points)
Total and Priority (110 points)
NOTE: Priority areas are not a requirement, but rather provide an incentive for research activities
that involve community outreach and/or interdisciplinary collaboration.
NOTE: Proposals that involve interdisciplinary collaboration must clearly define the
collaborative partnership and to be eligible for a CSBS Project Grant the PI must be from a
CSBS department and must have the lead role in the endeavor.
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
PROJECT GRANT COVERSHEET
Name of Applicant________________________
Date of Request________________
Department___________ Office Phone______________ Campus Mail Code_______
Email Address_________________
Title of the Project_________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Human Participant Review Approval:______________________ (Date)
Amount Requested from the CSBS $______________________
Date by which funds will be spent _______________________
Signature of Applicant ________________________________ Date _____________
Signature of Department Head __________________________ Date______________
NOTE: If the project involves human subjects, a Human Participant Review Form must be filed
and must receive approval from the UNI Institutional Review Board before a Project Grant can
be awarded. The involvement of human subjects might include questionnaires, surveys, and
interviews. The IRB review process takes some time to be completed. More information is
available at http://www.uni.edu/rsp/protection-human-research-participants.
For CSBS use only
Maximum amount to be contributed by the CSBS $__________
Signature of Committee Member_____________________________
Date______