The University of Maine Graduate Student Orientation

GSG Grants Workshop

August 28, 2014

GSG Grants Workshop 2

• GSG grants fund graduate students’ research and professional development

• Graduate students in all disciplines may apply

• Eligibility Requirements:– Graduate Student Activity Fee

– Department’s GSG Senator: 75% attendance at GSG Senate Meetings

GSG Grants

GSG Grants Workshop 3

• GSG funds up to $850 per cycle

• Fall Application Cycle– Deadline is October 3rd at 4pm

• Spring Application Cycle– Includes summer session

– Deadline typically in February

• Reimbursement of expenses incurred during previous application cycle

Grant Cycles

GSG Grants Workshop 4

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 5

The application includes:

• Abstract: 2 typed pages, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font, 1” margins

• Itemized Budget

• Budget Explanation• Submit a single pdf that includes your abstract,

budget, and budget explanation

Application Process

GSG Grants Workshop 6

• 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 examples on the GSG’s website

Application Process

GSG Grants Workshop 7

Application Process

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/

GSG Grants Workshop 8

• 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

9

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 10

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 11

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 12

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 13

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 14

• 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

GSG Grants Workshop 15

– 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

GSG Grants Workshop 16

Graduate Student Government

Attn: Grants Officer

University of Maine

5755 Stodder Hall

Orono, Maine, 04469-5755

Email: umaine.gsg.grants@gmail.com

Website: http://www2.umaine.edu/gsg/grants/

Contact Information