The University of Maine Graduate Student Orientation

GSG Grants Workshop

August 29, 2013

GSG grants fund graduate students’ research and professional development

Graduate students in all disciplines may apply

Eligibility Requirements:– Department’s GSG Senator: 75% attendance at

GSG Senate Meetings – Graduate Student Activity Fee

GSG Grants

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GSG funds up to $850 per cycle Fall Application Cycle

– Deadline in September / October Spring Application Cycle

– Includes summer session– Deadline typically in February

Reimbursement of expenses incurred during previous application cycle

Grant Cycles

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Travel to Present– Expenses to travel to and present at a

conference or professional meeting– Only one individual funded per presentation

Degree Related– Professional development or networking

opportunity– Research supplies (including undergraduates)– Travel expenses to a conference if not

presenting

Funding Categories

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FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!– Deductions are strictly applied– Late submissions are not accepted

Essay-based rather than merit-based format– Clarity, sentence structure, and spelling

Follow the example (except for the budget sheet which is ideally in an easy to read table)

Application Process

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The application includes: Abstract: 2 typed pages, double-spaced, 12

pt Times New Roman font, 1 Inch margins Itemized Budget Budget Explanation Submit a single pdf that includes your

abstract, budget, and budget explanation Follow the example

Application Process (cont.)

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Application Process (cont.)

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Item#

Descriptionof Item Source (Company) Quantity

Individual Cost

Total Cost(Qty x Ind. Cost)

AmountRequested

1 Airfare* American Airlines 1 $465.50 $465.50 $0.00 2 Lodging Grand Hyatt (Conference site) 8 nights $62.16

($248.64 total divided among

four people)

$497.25 $497.25

Super 8 Motel 8 nights $60.76 $486.11**Travelodge 8 nights $63.81 $510.51**

3 Meals 3/day for 8 days

$46.00/day $368.00 $227.75

4 Student Registration Society for Vulcan Studies 1 $95.00 $95.00 $95.00 5 Workshop Registration Society for Vulcan Studies 1 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00

Totals $1,455.75 $850.00

* Additional airfare quotes not included because an administrator of an outside grant previously purchased the lowest fare ticket.

Itemized Budget Example

** Daily public transportation fare is approximately $13.00 roundtrip for the more economical accommodations beyond walking distance of the conference. Total for the week would be an additional $91.00 (7 days of commuting to conference events).

Copy of itemized budget example available on GSG Grants website:http://www2.umaine.edu/gsg/grants/

Seek assistance from:– Your advisor or graduate coordinator– Other graduate students in your department– The Writing Center at 402 Neville Hall

Website: http://www.umaine.edu/wcenter Tel: (207) 581-3828 Paige Mitchell works with international students

– GSG Grants Officer

Application Process (cont.)

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Applications are anonymously reviewed Interdisciplinary panel of graduate students

– Write to an educated general audience– Unfamiliar with the merits of your work – Eliminate jargon and technical or colloquial

language Personal and University benefits

Grants awarded at 100%, 75%, and 50% of the amounts requested– Consider alternative sources of funding

Application Review

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Awardees must submit all original receipts with a typed, dated, and signed report by deadline specified in the application

Proof of presentation required for travel-to-present category– Conference itinerary or web listing– Submit proof of presentation and original

receipts as soon as possible after the conference

Funding Obligations

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Funds can only be used for specific items approved in the application budget

Misused or unused GSG funds must be returned to the grants officer with:– Letter of explanation– Check payable to:

Graduate Student Government

Funding Obligations (cont.)

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GSG will award up to $600 per year to clubs and organizations that promote graduate students’ professional development.– Guest speakers in relevant field– Networking opportunities

GSG does not fund social events.– Beer and pizza parties– Bowling night

Clubs & Organizations

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Clubs seeking recognition submit an application to the GSG Senate for approval.– Briefly describe the purpose of the club and its

role in the academic community Clubs must apply for funding each year Clubs that receive funding must submit an

annual report that includes:– Names of Executive Committee and GSG senator– Outline of the activities conducted– List of expenses with original receipts

Clubs & Organizations (cont.)

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If alcohol is in the budget, clubs must submit a typed statement detailing the steps taken to ensure responsible and safe behavior.

Funds are not dispersed until the department’s GSG senator confirms that the club meets the GSG mission to facilitate and encourage educational, professional, and research activities of graduate students.

Clubs & Organizations (cont.)

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– Chemical Engineering Graduate Students– Chinese Students & Scholars Association– Clinical Psychology Diversity Committee– Earth Science Graduate Student Organization– English Graduate Students’ Association– Food Science Club– Graduate Business Association– History Graduate Student Association– Le Club Francais– School of Marine Sciences Club– Wildlife Ecology Graduate Student Group

Partial List of Graduate Clubs

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Graduate Student GovernmentAttn: Grants OfficerUniversity of Maine5755 Stodder HallOrono, Maine, 04469-5755

Email: umaine.gsg.grants@gmail.comWebsite: http://www2.umaine.edu/gsg/grants/

Contact Information

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Thank you for

listening.Questions?