Graduate Research Grant

The Department of Political Science has a small amount of funds available to provide research support to graduate students. Under extraordinary circumstances, accompanied by appropriate documentation, the department may make slightly larger allocations, but individual grants to students typically range from $500-$1,000. Students who are undertaking research projects that would benefit from research funding and anticipate using funds by the following July 31 are encouraged to apply.   

How grants are typically used: 

• To support research, including:  
  • travel for field work  
  • hiring a professional to transcribe taped interviews  
  • purchasing quantitative data sets  
  • conducting a survey 
  • summer support to work on co-authored project with faculty
  • research assistance during the summer term

The funds are generally not used for items such as purchasing computer hardware or hosting external speakers. If you have questions about proposed fund use, please be in touch with the DGS prior to application.

Application process:

A completed application consists of:  

1. A 2–4-page research proposal explaining the research project, how the funds will contribute to the successful completion of the project, and the importance of the project to your research agenda
2. An itemized budget  
3. A schedule for the project and how funds would be used prior to the following July 31
4. A statement listing external support (applied for, received, and planned applications) and PDS and Departmental support received to date
5. The name of the faculty member supervising the project 

If you are interested in applying for these funds, please submit your completed application as soon as possible here. Please submit any questions to Debbie Allen, Graduate Program Coordinator.  

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and pending availability of funds. Please note that for use before July 31, applications must be submitted by May 1.