Graduate students presenting original research at conferences or performing or displaying creative work are eligible to receive a Research Presentation Award (RPA) averaging $400. RPAs are intended to enable graduate students to travel to important conferences within their discipline in order to present their scholarly and creative work. RPAs are awarded two times each year and are distributed within two months after the application deadline. The application deadline is in the middle of an award period which allows students to apply who have either already presented their research or who are planning to within the specified time period. Approximately one-third of the applicants receive an award.
Students must submit all application material on-line by the following dates:
| Academic Term | Application Deadline | Conference Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2011 | October 21, 2011 at 5:00PM | July 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011 |
| Winter 2012 | March 2, 2012 at 5:00PM | January 1, 2012 – June 30, 2012 |
Submission of either the faculty or student form after 5:00PM the day of the applicable deadline will result in automatic rejection of the application. Please note that faculty endorsers will be sent a link (via the email address the student provides for them) to the necessary faculty form upon completion of the student’s form. The applicant will then be notified via email when the endorser has completed and submitted the necessary form.
Research Presentation Award Criteria
- Students may only receive one RPA per academic year.
- Students may only submit one application per application period.
- Applicants must be enrolled as a student during the semester they receive the RPA award. If the applicant is not enrolled in at least 2.0 credit hours, the award will not be granted.
- Conferences may be national or international.
- Research must be performed as a graduate student. Graduate students may not submit applications on research performed or presented as an undergraduate.
Research Presentation Award Limitations
- Students who have received Stafford Loan Monies are still eligible; however, receiving an RPA could put them in an “over award” status in which case any refund would be applied directly to the loan thus reducing the amount borrowed. For more details, please see your financial aid counselor.
- Awards are deposited into the student’s university account. There are NO exceptions. Any outstanding balances will be paid first. Funds can be accessed by going to the Cashiers Office in the ASB.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed in a two-step process. First, applications are reviewed by an educated, lay audience. Second, applications are reviewed by the respective department graduate coordinator. Each application is scored based on the following two sections:
Section 1: Significance of Conference (10 points)
| Superior (8-10 pts) | Significance of the conference is clearly conveyed. The reviewer is very convinced that the conference will be valuable to the applicant’s academic and professional development. |
| Good (6-7 pts) | Significance of the conference is mostly clear, but there are some weak points. Reviewer is convinced of the value of the conference. |
| Fair (2-5 pts) | Significance of the conference is not clearly conveyed, and/or the reviewer is somewhat convinced of the value of the conference. |
| Poor (0-2 pts) | Significance of the conference is confusing or not explained. The reviewer is not convinced of the value of the conference. |
Section 2: Main Idea of Research & Significance to Discipline (20 points)
| Superior (17-20 pts) | Main idea of research is very clearly conveyed and well communicated to an educated lay audience. The reviewer is very convinced that the research makes a significant contribution to the discipline commensurate with graduate level research. |
| Good (13-16 pts) | Main idea of research is clearly conveyed with minor flaws. Reviewer is convinced that the research makes a significant contribution to the discipline. |
| Average (9-12 pts) | Main idea of research is mostly clear, but there are some weak points. The reviewer is somewhat convinced that the research makes a significant contribution to the discipline. |
| Fair (5-8 pts) | Main idea of research is confusing and/or there are missing pieces. The reviewer is slightly convinced that the research makes a significant contribution to the discipline. |
| Poor (0-4 pts) | Main idea of research is not explained. The reviewer is not convinced that the research makes a significant contribution to the discipline. |
How To Apply
Use the application link below to apply for the Research Presentation Award. After applying, your faculty endorser will be sent a link (via the email address you provide) to complete the recommendation. You will receive an email notification when your endorser completes the recommendation. This email notification will notify you that your application is complete and will be reviewed. The application deadline is Friday, March 2, 2012, at 5:00PM for student applications. Faculty recommendations will not be accepted after 5:00PM, Friday, March 9, 2012.
Begin your application by clicking here.
Please be advised that the application form cannot be saved and can only be submitted once for each student. Applicants are encouraged to complete the entire application, rather than completing portions at a time.
