SRAC/ST FAQ

Which grant should I apply for?

Apply to an SRAC grant for up to $500 to support your research activity or travel to a conference.

Apply to an ST grant for up to $300 of travel support to clinicals, interviews or events without a registration fee.

If you have a specific question about which grant to pursue, email us at unmgpsagrants (at) gmail.com

When should I apply?

For activity between 8/15/2009 and 12/31/2009 apply during the Fall 2009 cycle or retroactively during Spring 2010.

For activity between 1/1/2010 and 5/31/2010 apply during the Spring 2010 cycle or retroactively during Summer 2010.

For activity between 6/1/2010 and 8/14/2010 apply during the Summer 2010 cycle or retroactively during Fall 2010.

What are the due dates?

Fall 2009 Deadline: noon on Friday, September 25th, 2009

Spring 2010 Deadline: noon on Friday, February 19th, 2010

Summer 2010 Deadline: noon on Friday, June 4th, 2010

Of what does an application consist?

An SRAC application consists of 1 original copy and 3 anonymous copies of the cover page, letter of recommendation, proposal, budget and blank score sheet. An ST application consists of 1 original copy and 4 anonymous copies of the cover page, proposal, budget and blank score sheet. See the chart below.

Note: For the letter of recommendation and proposal you and your recommender must use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins, double spaced.

Does my letter of recommendation (SRAC only) need to be sealed by my recommender?

No, this is not required, although we will accept sealed letters if it makes your recommender more comfortable.

What will cause my application to be automatically rejected?

Turning in the application after noon on the day of the deadline. No late applications will be accepted.

Identifying information on an anonymous copy of the recommendation.

Supplying more than a 2 (1) page proposal for SRAC (ST).

Supplying more than a 1 page budget.

Supplying a proposal or budget in wrong format (must be 12 point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins, double spaced.)

Omitting the letter of recommendation for SRAC.

Not requesting prior funding for SRAC.

Can someone look over my application and answer my questions at a workshop?

Yes, please come to one of our SRAC/ST grants workshops. Look for the workshop dates in the grants calendar section. The SRAC/ST Committee holds workshops each semester to help applicants prepare quality applications. Applicants are encouraged to bring proposals-in-progress to these sessions for review. Contact the GPSA office for workshop times and locations (277-3803) or look in the grants calendar section above.

How can I write my best application?

Read the guidelines here and look at the reader scoresheet here. Attend a workshop to understand what our grants readers will be looking for. See the FAQ above.

How will my application be scored?

Your application will be read and scored by three readers, according to the scoresheet here. Each of your scores from your three readers will be normalized. The raw scores will be multiplied by the group application average and then divided by the reader average. This prevents an application from being harmed by being assigned a particularly tough reader. The difference between your high and low normalized score will be calculated. If the difference exceeds 25% of the total points available (25% of 130 is 32.5 points), your application will be reread by an additional two readers. Of the five normalized scores, the high and low will be dropped. Your final score will be the average of the remaining normalized scores.

You haven't answered my question. Who can I talk to?

Please contact the Grants Co-Chairs, Katie Richardson-McDaniel and Travis McIntyre at unmgpsagrants@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can call the GPSA office at 277-3802 with your questions.

I am not happy with my score, how do I appeal the committee's decision?

Appeals can be made within three weeks of being notified of the committee's decision. Draft a statement describing the reason your appeal should be granted and email it to unmgpsagrants@gmail.com Your appeal will be considered by the committee. In the best case scenario, if the appeal is granted, your application will be reread by two additional readers. Of your five scores, the low and high will be dropped. If your application score falls into the funded group, you will be awarded the grant. If your appeal is not granted, further appeals must be heard by the GPSA Council. Information about the appeal process can be found in section I.C.8. of the grants codes, here.

I have been awarded the grant, how do I get paid?

1) Complete the travel form, print and sign the document. An original signature is required.
2) Attach all of your original receipts to the form. Don't forget to make copies for your records.
3) If your budget has changed from your original request, please list the reasons for the change and attach this along with a revised budget. Your original budget is stored at the GPSA office for your convenience. All budget revisions must be approved by the committee.
4) Return the form to the GPSA office located in the SUB within 90 days of your award notification. Your award will not be available to you after this deadline.
5) You will receive your award in the form of direct deposit if you already receive payroll that way. Otherwise a check will be mailed to your address. Please allow four weeks for your form to be processed.

How many people apply and what are my chances of getting the grant?

In the Summer 2009 cycle, 15 of 55 SRAC applicants received an award.

In the Summer 2009 cycle, 5 of 11 ST applicants received an award.

In the Spring 2009 cycle, 51 of 118 SRAC applicants received an award.

In the Spring 2009 cycle, 17 of 23 ST applicants received an award.

The amount of money the SRAC/ST Committee has available to award changes from year to year. The number above should serve merely as a guideline.