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Arts & Humanities Graduate Student Awards

Arts & Humanities Graduate Research Small Grants Program, 2009-2010

Program Description: The Graduate Research Small Grants Program is designed to enhance opportunities for graduate students in Arts & Humanities to conduct research by offering supplemental financial support of up to $500 on a competitive basis. The 2009-10 funding limit for this program is $30,000; the grant program will be closed for the academic year when that amount has been awarded. Applications may be submitted at any time, but they should be received by the Arts & Humanities office at least six weeks before the date when the funds are to be used.

The Graduate Research Small Grants Program for 2009-2010 is now open.

This funding is not a substitute for other forms of funding that currently exist. Rather, it is designed to support research activities in instances where other sources (e.g., departmental sources, the Council of Graduate Studies) are inadequate or unavailable in order to help fill gaps not met by current opportunities. For information on funding opportunities within your degree program, contact the Graduate Studies Director of your home department. See below for details on other university and external awards and programs.

Eligibility: Grants are restricted to currently enrolled students in Arts & Humanities. Applications are considered from individual students only. Eligible students can apply every year, but preference will be given to students who have not received funding from this program in preceding years.

Funding Category: Students may apply for grants to fund any of the following and should mark on the project endorsement form which category their request falls under:
  1. Travel to research collections or residency programs in the United States or abroad;
  2. Travel for invited research presentations, performances, or exhibitions at significant professional meetings or events both here in the United States and abroad;
  3. The purchase of research-related materials, such as videos or microfilms. (Note that any equipment purchased with grant money remains the property of The Ohio State University.)
  4. Expenses related to the translation or transcription of primary research or research materials.

    Applicants should request funds at least six weeks before the travel or other expense will take place. All funding is contingent on availability. Retroactive applications under this program will not be considered.
Application Process: Applications may be submitted at any time during the year, including the summer so long as funds are available. All applications must be submitted through the Director of Graduate Studies of the student's department.

The application packet should consist of:
  1. An Application/Project Endorsement Form from the Graduate Studies Director, endorsing the project and confirming either the availability or unavailability of departmental funds.
  2. A letter of 1-2 pages in which the applicant describes the project, its purpose, significance, history, and its relevance to the field, etc. In the case of a performance or presentation, applicants will need to explain the relevance of the venue to the particular field. Describe how this experience will enhance your degree program and your development as an artist, performer, or scholar.
  3. A detailed budget. Applicants should indicate whether they have obtained matching funds or are currently applying for such funds. Please note that per diems are not permitted under this program.
  4. A letter of faculty support from the applicant's academic adviser or other OSU faculty sponsor, affirming the worthiness of the project and, in the case of conference papers, affirming the quality of the paper being delivered and the prestige of the conference in the student's field.
  5. In the case of a presentation or performance, provide a letter of invitation or other indication of acceptance from the sponsoring organization or institution.
Departmental Review: The Graduate Director is required to review applications to ensure that each applicant is currently registered in the program and to verify whether departmental funding is available for the project. Project endorsement/Application forms are available by clicking this link. The applicant should fill in the top portion of this form; the Graduate Director should complete the rest of the form and forward it, together with the application, to Associate Dean Sebastian Knowles, Arts & Humanities, 114 University Hall, 230 North Oval Mall. Applications may be sent electronically to the Arts & Humanities office at selby.95@osu.edu.

Arts & Humanities Review: The proposal review process at the Arts & Humanities level will consist of an overall assessment of the merits of the proposed project (benefits to the student, how likely the student is to complete the task successfully, feasibility of the budget, etc.) as well as an assessment of the merits of the application itself (how well it explains the project and its benefits, the completeness of the application, readability, etc.).