FACULTY & GRADUATE STUDENT
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Faculty Programs
Closing Date
Seed Grant ................................................ September 14, 2015
April 1, 2016
Collaborative Research Grant ................... September 14, 2015
April 1, 2016
Scholarly Release Program………………...November 2, 2015 (Spring Semester)
April 1, 2016 (Fall Semester)
Mentor Release Program…………………...November 2, 2015 (Spring Semester)
April 1, 2016 (Fall Semester)
Colloquium Program………………………...November 2, 2015
April 1, 2016
Graduate Student Programs
Graduate Student Research ...................... Open
Graduate Student
Conference Presentation ...................... Open (at least 1 month prior to travel)
Information Sessions
Faculty Grant Programs: September 1 (Tues, 1:30-2:15) in Founders Hall 2147
Other Faculty Programs: September 1 (Tues, 1:30-2:15) in Founders Hall 2147
Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Development, Founders Hall 2134, Phone: 865-8496
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RESEARCH SERVICES COUNCIL
DESCRIPTION OF FACULTY AND GRADUATE STUDENT PROGRAMS
I.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Research Services Council (RSC) is to encourage research and creative activity by
UNK faculty and graduate students. The RSC places special emphasis on seed grants for projects
potentially leading to external funding, projects that demonstrate the potential for publication or other
appropriate forms of dissemination, and projects that involve students in the research enterprise.
All UNK faculty and graduate students are eligible to apply for RSC funding. Funds are not provided to
support faculty research that is part of degree requirements (e.g., dissertation) or on-going projects
where funding has previously been provided. All RSC programs are competitive, and not all proposals
can be funded. It is expected that all faculty proposals will include funding from sources other than the
RSC (e.g. department, college, other). When applications exceed available funds, the first order of
priority for awards will be to those tenured or tenure track faculty working toward tenure, graduate
faculty status or promotion as verified by their professional development plans. Furthermore, faculty
without previous RSC support will be given priority. RSC research grant funds may not be used to pay
for registration or expenses related to attendance and participation in professional conferences,
workshops, or clinics.
All proposals must adhere to the RSC guidelines described in this document. Proposals not meeting
the detailed guidelines, including the budget limitations, will NOT be given consideration by the RSC.
For this and other reasons, it is absolutely necessary that proposals be thoroughly reviewed by an RSC
representative prior to the closing date.
Final reports of all supported projects and activities are required within six months of project
completion. Manuscripts submitted for publication are appreciated as supplements to the final report.
Final reports must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research before consideration can
be given to future proposals.
II. FACULTY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
A. Seed-Grant
Description:
Non-tenured and new Faculty are especially encouraged to apply to
the seed grant program. The goal of this program is to provide the
resources necessary to begin a long-term program of research. This
program can also be utilized to support projects that are preliminary to
larger works, especially those in preparation for an external grant
application.
Project Period:
September Applications:
April Applications:
Funding Limit:
$4,000 plus student assistants
Cost-Share:
Mandatory (ask your department chair and dean for support)
Allowable Expenses:
Supplies, travel, operating costs, transcription, participant payments,
student research assistant wages, and faculty wages (discouraged).
Deliverables:
Final Report due 6 months after the end date of the project.
Additionally, all projects are expected to produce either an external
grant submission, a work of peer-reviewed scholarship or creative
work, or both.
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B. Collaborative Research Grants
Description:
The purpose of this program is to support collaborative activity among
scholars on campus and with other institutions. Each proposed
project should have meaningful participation from faculty in at least
two different departments, which may include scholars from other
institutions. Proposals may request support for creative activities,
research, or planning and development activities that will lead to
larger scholarly projects. Priority will be given to collaborations that
include multiple UNK departments.
Project Period:
September Applications:
April Applications:
Funding Limit:
$20,000 ($5,000 per UNK represented department (up to 4)) plus
student assistants
Cost-Share:
Mandatory (ask your department chair and dean for support)
Allowable Expenses:
Supplies, travel (including collaborative meetings), operating costs,
transcription, participant payments, student research assistant wages,
and faculty wages (discouraged).
Deliverables:
Final Report due 6 months after the end date of the project.
Additionally, all projects are expected to produce an external grant
submission.
Additional Information:
All projects must describe a plan for future extramural funding
applications. Priority will be given to projects where the collaborations
are across colleges and where there is a mix of junior and senior
faculty.
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C. Scholarly Release Program
Description:
Proposals should describe a specific scholarly project that will be
conducted during the semester, which should result in a work of high
academic caliber. Proposals should explain why the work needs to be
done during the upcoming semester, and should describe a specific
project outcome for the semester. Proposals will be selected on the
basis of specific and feasible plans, academic rigor, and potential for
dissemination in high level forums.
Project Period:
November Applications:
April Applications:
Funding Limit:
NA- Funds will cover release from one class.
Deliverables:
Final Report due 6 months after the end date of the project.
Additional Information:
Examples of acceptable academic projects include books and major
grant applications to federal agencies.
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Spring Semester Release
Fall Semester Release
D. Mentor Release Program
Description:
The Mentor release program offers course buyouts for Senior-Junior
faculty cohorts pursuing federal funding for their research. Successful
mentors will be tenured faculty who have a history of external grant
success. Successful mentee will be tenured-track faculty with little to
no history of extramural grant success. Ideal partnerships will include
both faculty members on both submitted grant applications.
Project Period:
November Applications:
April Applications:
Spring Semester Release for Mentor
& Fall Semester Release for Mentee
Fall Semester Release for Mentor
& Spring Semester Release for Mentee
Funding Limit:
NA- Funds will cover release from one course release for mentor &
mentee. Additionally, successful applicants will receive professional
development funds of $500 each.
Deliverables:
Two federal, indirect-generating, grant applications. The first where
the mentor is the PI and the second where the mentee is the PI.
Additional Information:
Examples of acceptable federal grants include research grants to NIH
(e. g. R21, R01, R15), NSF, IES, AHRQ, PCORI, USDA. Grants must
be substantial, lasting at least 2 years and including budget caps of
over 100k per year, and must generate full indirect costs.
E. Colloquium Program
Description:
This program aims to bring together scholars from a variety of fields
unified by a common research theme in an effort to foster crossdisciplinary collaborations. The expectation is that these colloquia will
build relationships that will grow into collaborative works and
extramural funding.
Project Period:
November Applications:
April Applications:
Funding Limit:
NA
Cost-Share:
Mandatory (ask your department chair and dean for support)
Allowable Expenses:
External speakers (honorariums and travel costs), meeting space,
cost of food, promotional materials, student assistants, etc.
Deliverables:
Final Report due 6 months after the end date of the project.
Additional Information:
Each application must include at least two investigators from separate
departments or centers. Teams of scholars from multiple colleges are
especially encouraged to apply, as well as teams with more than two
represented disciplines. All faculty and research staff are eligible. All
projects must describe a plan for future extramural funding
applications. Priority will be given to projects where the collaborations
are across colleges and where there is a mix of junior and senior
faculty.
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Spring or Fall Programs
Fall or Spring Programs
III. Graduate Student Support Programs
Individual students may receive no more than one research award and one travel grant per
fiscal year.
A. Graduate Student Research
This program provides support for graduate student research and creative activity, including theses,
field studies, and scholarly studies. Awards are competitively selected, and can reach a sum of up
to $750 to be used for operating expenses, supplies, travel, and equipment. Partial support is
expected from the department and/or student(s).
Electronically submit your RSC representative-approved proposal through the RSC website on a
rolling basis.
B. Graduate Student Conference Presentation
Funds are provided to assist graduate student presentations of research and creative projects at
scholarly meetings. Partial funding will be provided up to a maximum of $300, with the remainder
expected of the student or department. Documentation must be provided that the project has been
accepted for presentation and that the student is presenting. Students supported through this
program are also expected to participate in the UNK Student Research Day held during the spring
semester. Support for multi-authored presentations may be reduced accordingly or limited to the
first author.
The application for travel funds must include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The RSC Cover Page and Budget Section
The abstract or paper submitted for presentation consideration.
The acceptance letter (or email) of the presentation.
A description of the conference or event (including the name, dates, and location of the
conference or event); whether it is an annual meeting or one-time event, regional or national
meeting; location; type of participants (students, faculty, professionals in field).
5. A description of the student’s role in the presentation (paper presentation or poster).
Submit the request either electronically or in printed form to the Graduate Office at least one month
prior to the event.
Travel support is also available through SET (Student Event Ticket) fee funds administered by the
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (FNDH 1000).
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IV. PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
A. General Instructions
In preparing a proposal, applicants should realize that the RSC is a multidisciplinary group whose
members may not have expertise in the applicant’s field. Please avoid jargon whenever possible,
and explain clearly any technical terms and procedures that are critical to the proposal.
All proposals must be submitted through the RSC website. Proposers are strongly encouraged to
work with their RSC representative in advance of submitting an application. It is also recommended
that the Project Narrative portions of your application are cut-and-pasted from saved word
documents to avoid losing your work.
The application form requires:






Demographic Information
Compliance Information (IRB, IACUC)
Budget
Budget Narrative with Detail
Previous RSC Funding Information
Project Narrative
o Objectives
o Significance.
o Methodology/Work Plan
o Deliverables/Dissemination
 References Cited (If applicable)
You will also be required to email your RSC representative all Abbreviated Vitae (2 page max for
faculty) of key personnel, any letters of support, and any relevant instruments.
Graduate Student Proposals should follow the same format, but may exclude the previous projects
funded by RSC form.
See Section C. for submission instructions.
NOTE: The RSC Application can be found here:
http://www.unk.edu/academics/gradstudies/rsc/application-forms.php
All information requested must be provided in the format specified. For this reason ALL FACULTY
AND GRADUATE STUDENTS MUST MEET WITH THEIR RSC REPRESENTATIVE TO
THOROUGHLY REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE PROPOSAL. This should be scheduled before the
program deadline in order to provide adequate time for any necessary revisions to the proposal.
Proposals not adhering to the published RSC guidelines will not be considered for funding.
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B. Guide to Writing
1. Project Narrative
Proposals submitted to the RSC differ in nature as a consequence of our different support
programs and the different activities proposed. In all cases, proposals should include the
following sections in the Project Narrative:
a. Objectives. This section should clearly state the purpose of the project, e.g. the
questions/issues/hypotheses/creative activity to be addressed.
b. Research Significance. The applicant should establish the importance of the proposed
project in relation to the field of study and the applicant’s professional activities and
development. This may include a brief literature review to establish the theoretical
background of the project.
c. Methodology and Work Plan. This section should contain a description of the project design
and methods to be used or activities to be executed in completing the project. The nature of
this information will vary depending on the type of project proposed. The applicant should
also provide a timetable for completing the major components of the project. Note that the
RSC does not fund retroactively. When co-investigators are involved, please explain the
role and anticipated contributions of each.
d. Deliverable/Dissemination Plan. This section should describe how the results of this project
will be shared with outside audiences. The RSC looks favorably upon, and may give priority
to, projects that may lead to external funding proposals. If applicable, please briefly explain
your external funding plan (when, where, etc.). Projects likely to result in publication may be
given priority.
e. Copies of survey instruments/questionnaires, if applicable.
2. Budget
a. The detailed budget should be included in the budget narrative and should itemize and
categorize expenses (personnel, student assistants, travel, supplies, equipment,
consultants, participant payment, etc.)
b. Budgets should include support by the department, college, and other funding sources.
c. Examples of acceptable support by the department may include paper, stationary, postage,
telephone, basic equipment for lab work, computers, printers, cameras, etc. that are part of
that department’s normal operation. Proposals that seek to purchase project material or
equipment ordinarily provided by the department must include matching funds from
department or college and demonstrate a broader than project use. The idea being that the
cost is above and beyond what a department or the college could absorb by itself.
d. Travel requests should be limited to major expenses such as plane tickets and hotels. Instate travel to go to a library or to interview someone will not be considered. In-state travel
will be calculated at .30/mile but must be extensive to be considered. The budget narrative
for travel should explain why the trip is a necessary part of the project and why existing
communications technology will not suffice.
e. Meals should be for overnight extended trips and not “to cover lunch” during a day-trip.
These expenses could be listed as an individual, department/college contribution.
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f.
If the researcher needs to engage the services of someone to complete the research,
services must be paid by the university and not out-of-pocket by the researcher.
C. Submission of Proposals
All applications must be submitted electronically. A complete application includes the online form
and abbreviated CVs of key personnel, letters of support, and instruments emailed to your RSC
representative.
Please contact your RSC representative or the Office of Sponsored Programs if you have questions
or problems with this process.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION CHECKLIST:
___________
Review program description and application forms
___________
Review all policies relevant to program
___________
Write proposal
___________
Meet with RSC college representative to discuss proposal
___________
File for IRB or IACUC approval, if appropriate
___________
Submit proposal electronically
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RESEARCH SERVICES COUNCIL
GENERAL GUIDELINES
1.
To ensure proposal is of a competitive quality, applicants must discuss their project and budget
requirements with an RSC representative at least one week prior to proposal submission. Please
allow a minimum of 48 hours for review of your final draft.
2.
Proposals must be written in terms that educated laypersons can readily understand. It is important
that reviewers outside of applicant’s discipline can understand the abstract, budget and narrative.
3.
Final reports of all funded research/creative activity projects must be received within six months of
project completion. If the project extends beyond the end of the fiscal year (June 30), a cursory
progress report should be submitted. Manuscripts submitted for publication may supplement final
reports.
4.
Expenditures must be for items requested in the grant proposal. Deviations from this policy must have
prior approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
5.
The transfer of funds from personal services (salary/wages) to non-personal services is prohibited.
6.
Pre-Trip Requests must be approved before travel arrangements (reservations, etc.) are made.
7.
All expenditures must be in accordance with University policies and should be based on principles of
economy.
8.
Title to materials and equipment purchased with grant funds remains with the University. University of
Nebraska policies relating to copyright, royalties, patents, or income apply to these grant programs.
Questions regarding these matters should be addressed before the proposal is submitted for review.
9.
Funded projects involving human subjects in research must be approved by the Institutional Review
Board for Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) before they are initiated. Funds will not be provided
until documentation of IRB approval is received by the Graduate Office.
10. Funded projects involving animals used in research must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care
and Use Committee (IACUC) before they are initiated. Funds will not be provided until documentation
of IACUC approval is received by the Graduate Office.
11. Publications or presentations resulting from projects supported by RSC grant programs should include
the following statement: “Funding provided by the UNK Office of Graduate Studies and
Research/Research Services Council.”
12. Awards will not be made to individuals who have not complied with all requirements of previous RSC
grants.
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2015-16 RESEARCH SERVICES COUNCIL
Name/Department
Phone
Chair:
Kenya Taylor, Dean, Graduate Studies & Research
8843
B&T:
Nate Barry, Instructional Technology
Heather Schulz, Marketing & MIS
8733
8621
EDUC:
Matt Bice, Kinesiology and Sports Science
Carrie Kracl, Teach Education
8052
8181
FAH:
Jan Harriott, Music & Performing Arts
Denys Van Renen, English
8608
8717
NSS:
Krista Fritson, Psychology
Frank Kovacs, Chemistry
8247
8384
Ex officio:
Richard Mocarski, Office of Sponsored Programs
8496
Applications and guidelines for research and creative activity support may be obtained from
the Office of Sponsored Programs, 2134 Founders Hall, ext. 8496, or from an RSC member.
These materials are also available on the Graduate Studies Website:
http://www.unk.edu/academics/gradstudies/rsc/application-forms.php
EXTRAMURAL FUNDING
If seeking extramural support, assistance is available at the Office of Sponsored Programs, 2134
Founders Hall (8496). The following services are provided:

Current information on public and private funding sources

Computer searches of potential funding sources

Resources on the grant writing process

Budget development

Contacts with federal, state, and local funding sources
Policies require all proposals requesting external funds receive internal approval at least one week
prior to submission. The approval process requires completion of a UNK Grant Proposal Approval
form, available from the Office of Sponsored Programs. Contact Richard Mocarski, Director, for
further information and assistance.

Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)
Janet Steele (Biology) 8325
Institutional Review Board (IRB – Human Subjects Research)
Kathy Zuckweiler (Graduate Studies & Research) 8886
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