Schochet Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Research Awards
PURPOSE
The purpose of the research award program is to encourage and support research related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) issues, particularly in a North American context. This award is made possible by an endowment generously provided by Stephen J. Schochet, with additional funding provided by the College of Liberal Arts and the Office for Multicultural and Academic Affairs. An important goal of the awards is to seed research on GLBT issues, so proposals that will over time build upon this initial funding will be viewed favorably. Encouraging projects that seed larger scale research should not be viewed as discouraging other research. For example, proposals for short-term projects that are important and timely but difficult to fund also are welcome.
ELIGIBILITY
Applications are invited from all University faculty members who hold (or will hold during the 2005-2006 academic year) tenured or tenure-track appointments and whose scholarly research will focus on issues affecting GLBT communities and/or the lives of GLBT individuals. We welcome a full array of research, including work addressing issues of policy and practice and of artistic expression. The selection committee reserves the right to make the final decision regarding eligibility of any particular proposal.
THE APPLICATION
Applicants must complete an application cover page for each proposal. The application form is available here as a Word document. The submission of an incomplete application may result in the proposal not being considered. Submitting supporting materials other than those specifically requested is not permitted. The body of the application must contain the following:
Brief Vita and Pertinent Publications (limited to one page): List educational background specifying the degrees obtained, dates, and institutions. Also list all academic appointments in the last five years (including post-doctoral if applicable).
Proposal (limited to four pages, using 12 font or larger and 1 inch or greater margins): Since the selection committee will be composed of faculty from disparate academic backgrounds, it is important that the proposal be written in a style that will permit effective communication to a non-technical audience. The following information must be provided:
Abstract: Provide a non-technical abstract/summary of the research proposed (limit to 200 words or less).
Present status of knowledge: Provide a brief description of the nature, importance, and specific objective(s) of the research/inquiry.
Plan of work: Provide a brief description of the research you plan to conduct and the time line for completion of the project. Please specify the methods to be used, the specific hypotheses to be tested, and the measures/outcomes/products that will document that you have successfully completed your project.
Budget justification: State how each item in the budget is important to the successful completion of the research. (If you choose to include summer salary, be sure to include fringe benefit costs. If you include graduate student time, be sure that the fringe rate includes the tuition fees.) Strong justification needs to be provided if the proposal exceeds the $7,000 per year limit. Because the pool of money is limited, proposals much beyond the $7,000 limit may be rejected out of hand, without review.
Current and pending support: List all sources (including the Graduate School and other University of Minnesota sources) of support over the past five years, including current support and potential support (i.e., grants being prepared or already submitted). Specify the granting period, the title of the proposal, the name of the granting agency, and the amount of the award.
Budget: Use the sheet in the application packet to prepare your budget (if two year support is requested, please submit a budget sheet for each year and one for the total request).
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINES
Submit the complete application to the Office for Multicultural and Academic Affairs, Attn: Schochet research awards, via e-mail, FAX or mail by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 9, 2005.
Award recipients should be notified no later than the beginning of spring term.
SELECTION PROCESS
Schochet GLBT Research Award recipients will be chosen from the pool of applicants through a procedure and criteria formulated by a committee appointed by the Associate Vice President for Multicultural and Academic Affairs. Applications will be judged primarily on the scholarly merit and potential of the scholarly work to address the goals and purpose of the program. Secondary factors may include ones like the difficulty of finding funding for work in particular areas or the importance of the work to the career path of the faculty member
THE AWARD
The amount of the award will vary, depending upon the nature of the research proposed and the number of meritorious applications received. Normally, the award will not exceed $7,000 per year for two years.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Award funds may be used to support partial summer salary, travel, research materials, research assistants, or other purposes directly related to the scholarly activity.
Single semester or summer leaves, a sabbatical, or any other form of University-supported leave may not be held during the same academic year as the Schochet GLBT Research Award.
Principal investigators are required to submit an annual progress report to the Associate Vice President for Multicultural and Academic Affairs and, upon completion of the project to submit a final report. Investigators also may be asked to present their findings at a University of Minnesota faculty research event. Finally, as part of ongoing accountability efforts, at some point in the future recipients will be asked to respond to a survey describing the impact of the award on their research and career here at the University of Minnesota.
Contact the Office for Multicultural and Academic Affairs at 612-624-0594 or omaa@omaweb.stu.umn.edu if you need further assistance or information.