A Guide to Funding

Hannah & Angelina

Funding Sources - Overview

• IISF
• Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant
• SEAS Master’s Thesis Grant
• Greek Department
• Cycladic Preservation Fund

IISF - International Institute Student Fellowships

Relevant fellowships within IISF: Rackham International Research Grant, Global Individual Grant, Weiser Center for Europe & Eurasia Summer Grants for Research and Internships in Europe & Asia

Components:

• Application form
• Letter of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Expense sheet
• Resume/CV
• Transcript
• Letter of invitation or description of in country resources

IISF - Application form

• Don’t have access to this anymore but if I remember correctly it’s pretty straightforward
• Happy to answer any questions/help

IISF - Letter of recommendation (& invitation)

• Ask Johannes for letter of recommendation early - helps to get this out of the way early so you don’t have to worry about it later
• Johannes will facilitate letter of invitation

IISF - Statement of Purpose

• 3 page maximum- I would highly recommend using the available space to include details of project
• Include critical details and thorough explanation of significance of work
• Reach out if you want feedback / if you want our statements
• Make sure everything discussed with regard to methodology/materials aligns with your budget
• Emphasize the need for travel
• Also emphasize benefits (to your research goals + local communities)

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IISF - Expense sheet

Components

Airfare

• Flights are going to go up in cost (and vary greatly by airport)

Transportation

• Car rental is expensive → we have details on cost in our budgets, highly recommended comparing

Figure out phone plan early (before submitting budget)

Things are likely going to be more expensive than you think

IISF - Resume/CV + Transcript

• Recommend using CV over resume if you have one
• Be sure to include any previous funding or research
• Happy to give feedback / share CV for example
• Recommend doing these things early

Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant

Requirements:

• Research proposal
• Relevant citations
• Budget
• List other funding sources
• Itemized
• Read list of ineligible expenses
• Letter of support

https://rackham.umich.edu/funding/funding-types/rackham-graduate-student-research-grant/

Grant Evaluation Criteria 1

AKA - How to do well in the International Institute application criteria.

Things to focus on in the application:

- Make sure you cover each of the following 3 points explicitly, including underlining critical bits of text on how each of the below criteria is satisfied.

Perhaps have a summary statement at the end explaining again how the 3 criteria are being satisfied!

1. Feasibility: Probability for success?

-Make sure to explain why this study is feasible. Preliminary data? Backup options?

- This should include explaining carefully the in-country resources. Perhaps get a letter of support from in-country host?

2. Relevance (to degree): is this needed for completion of your degree?

State clearly that this is the case. You may also mention how you don’t have access to other funds.

Grant Evaluation Criteria 2

3. Quality: Overall quality of research and application; attention to detail?

Make sure it is clear that this is important research. Structure text well with headings and sub-headings. May use a figure if needed. Make sure it looks professional, visually appealing and is easy to read.

- Make sure to include a timeline (may already be required)

- Explain the broader impacts of your study, including generalizability and application of insights to other systems.

- it is always good -if feasible- to explain how the study advances theoretical understanding of the field (As opposed to practical benefits)

- simultaneously try to explain how it provides tangible, applied benefits. So ideally your research satisfies both accounts: theory and practice.

SEAS Master’s Thesis Grant

Requirements:

• Budget
• U-M Travel Registry
• U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance
• University Committee on the Use and Care of Animals - UCUCA (if working with vertebrate animals)
• 2 page justification statement

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https://seas.umich.edu/student-services/forms-handbooks-policies/masters-thesis-grant

Greek Department

• Reached out to Artemis Leontis
• Included in email:
• Name/track
• Short bio
• Lab
• 1 paragraph description of thesis
• Other funding sources
• Estimated budget with major costs explained

https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/artemisleontis/

Budget Items

• Housing
• Travel expenses (flights, car rental on the island, ferries, gas, etc)
• Hotels
• Food
• Research equipment
• U-M travel insurance
• SIM card or phone plan
• Research Assistant?

Suggestions

• Cycladic Preservation Fund
• Outside funding if needed (Garden Club of America)
• Compile and share funding sources
• Complete any requirements as far in advance as possible (!!!!!!!!)
• Funding was not released until many weeks after completing the COVID health forms
• Check deadlines
• Some rolling some early February

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Castle living!

Questions?