Grant Information

Georgia Southern University

Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies

Graduate Student Organization

Summary

1. Overview of GSO grants
2. How grants are reviewed

Overview of GSO grants

Two types of grants:

Travel, Research

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Grant amounts:

Masters Students: $625 Travel $850 Research

Doctoral/Specialist Students: $850 Travel $1000 Research

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Deadlines:

Fall 2026: September 15^th / November 16^th

Spring 2027: February 15^th / April 1^st

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Overview of GSO grants

Students can only receive each type of grant (travel, research) ONCE per academic year

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Only one grant per semester will be awarded to a student

Overview of GSO grants

Components of a GSO grant proposal:

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1. Online GSPDF Application
2. 1 PDF or Word Document that includes Narrative, Budget Justification, and References
3. Budget Worksheet – 1 Excel file

MUST use the GSO excel file

• Human Subjects and Animal Use Form (if applicable – can turn in after awarded)
• Request to Travel (International Travel only)

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Overview of GSO grants: Proposal Narratives

Components of a grant proposal narrative; MUST USE HEADERS:

• SUMMARY
• PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
• INTELLECTUAL MERIT/SIGNIFICANCE
• PROCEDURES/METHODS (**research proposals only**)
• SCHEDULE IN TABLE FORMAT
1. Includes link to conference schedule, if applicable/available
2. Does not have to have gridlines to be a table – just columns/rows
• BUDGET JUSTIFICATION
• REFERENCES – These are for your citations (do not submit the names of reference letter writers, etc.; Use the format for your discipline, e.g., APA, MLA, AMA)

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Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

Components of a grant proposal narrative:

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• SUMMARY
• PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
• INTELLECTUAL MERIT/SIGNIFICANCE
• PROCEDURES/METHODS (**research proposals only**)
• SCHEDULE
• BUDGET JUSTIFICATION
• REFERENCES FOR CITATIONS

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**All sections must have headers**

**Must not exceed 800 words (only sections 1-4 count in this limit)**

**NO PERSONAL INFO ANYWHERE ON APPLICATION**

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Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

1. SUMMARY

“Provide a summary of your research project or travel. Include all pertinent background information to properly introduce the travel event or research topic. Reminder: Your audience comes from a diverse group of graduate students, please write accordingly.”

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Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

2. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

“Provide the goal(s) of the proposed research or travel, personal goals, hypotheses (if presenting or conducting research), and your expectations of the research or travel when applicable. If you are presenting during your travel, please give a brief description of your presentation.”

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Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

3. INTELLECTUAL MERIT/SIGNIFICANCE

“State why this research or travel is important to the greater community and how it contributes a deeper understanding of the proposed subject matter.”

Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

4. PROCEDURES/METHODS

*For Research proposals only*

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“Briefly outline the methodology and/or techniques that will be used to successfully conduct your research. Include supplies, minor equipment, instrumentation, and facilities information.”

Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

5. SCHEDULE (NOT included in 800-word limit)

“Include a schedule in table format outlining key components of your research or travel.”

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Research: Include expected landmark dates, time frames, and goals.

�Travel: Include a link to the entire conference itinerary and a personal schedule of events to be attended. If no schedule is presently available, state that one is not available and include your departure and return dates.

Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

• 6. Budget Justification*
• “Provide rationale in paragraph form for all items outlined within the budget. Explain in detail the need for each item in order to attain the project or travel objective(s) and reflect the current cost of each item (These costs should match what is listed in your budget worksheet).

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• …If traveling to a conference, reference the conference website for associated costs. If requesting per diem reference the official per diem reimbursement rates from the U.S. General Services Administration website.”

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*Not included in 800-word limit

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Reviewing grant proposals: Budget justification

ALLOWABLE COSTS

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• Meals and Lodging* –  These costs will be determined by the national per diem rate found U.S. General Services Administration website (GSA)
• Airfare – Only coach class will be reimbursed. A receipt copy will be sufficient.
• Mileage* – This will be reimbursed based on the current, state-approved mileage reimbursement rate. (Only the person owning the vehicle will be awarded funds.) The appropriate GSA per diem travel rates can be found here. Please note that travel costs are different if you are driving a personally owned vehicle or a government owned vehicle. **You CANNOT request gas money**
• Parking and Tolls – Use only low-cost long-term parking
• Car Rental –This will only be approved if commercial transportation is not available or is more expensive.
• Conference Registration Fees

*requires per diem calculations

Reviewing grant proposals: Budget justification

UNALLOWABLE COSTS

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• Hotel services – Such as laundry, valet services, safes, etc.
• Association Membership fees
• Personal telephone calls
• Entertainment
• Alcohol
• Electronics
• Gasoline reimbursement

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Reviewing grant proposals: Narrative

• 7. References*
• “Provide a comprehensive listing of relevant citations for research and travel grants. All borrowed material included in the proposal should contain a citation to the source. Please ensure all content in your proposal is cited in text and within the Reference section of the application. Plagiarized material will be automatically rejected and will result in the student’s inability to be considered for any future GSPDF grants.”

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*Not included in 800-word limit

Anonymous Reviews

• All applications should be completely anonymous to applicant identity
• NO applicant names should be included anywhere on the proposal or budget documents (headers, references, etc.)
• You will have to add your name, Eagle ID, advisor name, etc. to the application where it requests, but this information is hidden from reviewers by the system
• Applicant mentor names should also NOT be anywhere on the application (many mentors have only a few students, so it would be possible to identify the student with this information)

Reviewing grant proposals: Budget worksheet

Make sure:

1. Total matches amount requested on online application

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2. Items match what is described in budget justification

Reviewing grant proposals: Budget worksheet

Travel, MS Student

Reviewing grant proposals: Budget worksheet

Research, MS Student

Providing meaningful feedback

• GOAL: The applicant understands HOW they can improve their application, and WHAT they did well.
• We often must decline to fund well-written grants due to budget constraints.
• Applicants can reapply to future rounds, and everyone can improve.

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Overview of GSO grants – After funding

So, you got a GSO grant…

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Travel: summaries describing travel must be submitted to GSO with 14 business days of end of travel

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Research: all funds must be spent by May 1^st

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ALL GRANT RECIPIENTS are expected to submit a final report (minimum of 1 page) within 14 business days of the conclusion of the travel or research. The final report should provide information on activities and findings and the effects on the student’s educational and professional life. Failure to submit this report will result in the inability to receive reimbursements or future funding.