Graduate School - University of South Florida

We are pleased to announce the second year of the Graduate Student Challenge Grants: Building Research Partnerships Across Disciplines. Last year we had great success with the seven projects funded. These awards are up to $5000 per research team and are being made available through the USF Graduate School and the Office of Research & Innovation.* These are one-year projects and are available to both master’s and doctoral students (unfortunately MD students are not included).

It is very important that students develop research skills that will allow them to excel in their chosen fields. It is part of the mission and strategic plans of USF and the Graduate School to build leaders through excellence in graduate education, and this education must include exemplary research. In today’s world, problems that need to be solved require multiple perspectives and thus collaboration among scholars from a variety of disciplines.

Each proposal must be submitted by a team of four students, where at least two of the students are from two different colleges. The more departments and colleges involved the better. All projects must be signed and approved by the student mentors and each College involved in the project. Proposals must clearly advance students’ academic programs. For example, the proposed projects may serve as pilot studies for graduate-level projects, theses, or dissertations. You may utilize Blackboard and look under Organizations to find the USF Graduate School. All graduate students have access to this site. There you will be able to communicate with other graduate students to find team members for this project or to discuss issues with your team once it is created. You may communicate through the Blog or Discussion Board! Remember to keep all communication proper and courteous.

The proposals must be submitted in one of the following topic areas:

• Neuroscience
• Sustainability of populations and/or the environment
• Diabetes and autoimmune disorders
• Partnerships with industry (These awards could compete for I-4 Technology Corridor funding)
• Global (International) research
• The Arts

We are looking for innovative and creative projects—so think outside the box!!

Proposals must not be longer than 5 pages and contain the following:

• Identification of the Project Topic Area
• One-paragraph abstract (no more than 150 words)
• Background and Significance
• Research Objectives
• Research Methods
• Evaluation Plan
• Detailed Budget with Budget Justification. The Budget may only be used for necessary supplies and travel reimbursements related directly to the project. No salaries are paid with these funds.
• A reference page must be attached. The abstract and reference pages are not included in the 5 page limit.
• Approval by student mentors and Colleges (preferably the Associate Dean for Research) must be included.
• Contact information (address, phone number, email) for one student from each research team.

The following criteria will be used to score the proposals:

• Significance of the Project to the Field and Topic Area - 30 points
• Research Approach - 30 points
• Innovation - 20 points
• Interdisciplinary Design - 15 points
• Ability to Advance Academic Programs - 5 points

Proposals will be scored by a faculty committee, including representatives from the Graduate Council Fellowship Committee and the Research Council. It is anticipated that approximately 8 teams will be funded. It is important that necessary IRB approval is obtained for projects that require such approval.

A progress report is due six months from the start-date and a final report is due upon conclusion along with a PowerPoint presentation made to the Graduate School, Research Council and Office of Research and Innovation. You may also be asked to participate in various research and academic related events throughout the year.

We look forward to receiving your projects! Please submit all projects electronically to Dr. Karen Liller, Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation at kliller@grad.usf.edu. The due date is October 23, 2009. Notification of awards will be made available within two weeks after the due date.

Good Luck with your scholarly pursuit of these awards!

*If additional funds are needed, these need to be secured from the students’ academic departments. Departments and Colleges are encouraged to supplant funding if possible.