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�The University of Maine Graduate Student Orientation

GSG Grants Workshop

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September, 2025

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Overview

  • Mission: Fund graduate students’ research and professional development

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  • Funding categories
  • Grant application process
    • Abstract
    • Itemized budget

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A Quick Guide to Applying for a Graduate Student Government Grant

Graduate Student Government

University of Maine

Office of the Grants Officer

Umaine.gsg.grants@gmail.com

Are you eligible for a GSG Grant?

  1. Has your department Senator attended 50% of GSG meetings?
  2. Have you paid your student activity fee?

Email the Grants Officers to request eligibility reinstatement.

Follow the GSG Grant Application Instructions and submit your application online. https://umaine.edu/gsg/grants

  • Are you traveling to a conference to present?

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  • Are you attending a conference but NOT presenting?

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  • Have you already spent money in the previous semester?

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  • Do you have 3 options for consideration in your itemized budget?

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  • Do you have your name or your advisor’s name in your grant application?

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  • Is your grant submitted as anything other than a pdf?

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  • Apply in Travel to Present Category

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  • Apply in the Degree Related Category for travel to conferences you are not presenting at or other degree expenses.
  • Submit all receipts to the Grants Officer and apply for reimbursement

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  • Consider strengthening your application with additional research

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  • Remove all identifiers before submitting your application

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  • We require all documents to be submitted as PDF files

Yes

No

Grant Checklist

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Individual Funding Categories

Travel to present

  • Travel to present at a conference or professional meeting
  • Only one individual funded/presentation
  • Award requirement: proof of presentation

Degree related

  • Professional development �or network opportunity
  • Research supplies
    • Undergraduate help too
  • Travel expenses to a �conference – NOT presenting

max. award request: $850

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Application Process

Abstract:

  • Describe your research
  • Explain significance and benefits

Itemized budget

Budget explanation

Formatting:

  • 2 typed pages, double space, 12 pt Times New Roman font, 1” margins
  • Submit a single PDF with multiple pages

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Application Review: Abstract

  • Applications are anonymously reviewed by graduate students

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  • Write to a general audience
  • Eliminate jargon or informal language
  • Include the proposed use of funds
  • Describe the benefits of the award as it applies the University of Maine

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  • Write a full project abstract for the outline of your proposal
  • Include the following components: background, problem, objective, approach and significance
  • Aim to be concise with ≤ 250 words.

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Itemized Budget Example

multiple options provided

University per diem guidelines

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Application Process: Budget Explanation

Explain each item in the budget

  • Explain how the items you listed will benefit your research (degree related grants)
  • Describe your selected options and give rationale for funding selections
  • Include any additional funding you have explored

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Application Process: last part

  • FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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  • Late submissions are not accepted
  • Rejections can result from the failure to follow formatting instructions

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Application Process: Summary

  • Seek assistance from:
    • Advisor/ graduate coordinator
    • Colleagues inside the department and outside
    • The Writing Center at 402 Neville Hall (9-5 pm), Fogler Library (6-8pm)
      • Website: http://www.umaine.edu/wcenter
      • Tel: (207) 581-3828
      • Paige Mitchell works with international students
    • GSG Grants Officer

Clarity Intent Purpose Funded grant

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Funding Obligations

  • Awardees must submit the following:
    • Original receipts
    • Typed, dated and signed expense report by the deadline
  • Travel-related grants require: Proof of presentation
    • examples: Conference schedule, web listing, photo
  • Failure to submit expense report impacts future funding
    • Request an extension if needed
  • Unused funds are to be returned to GSG

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If you are awarded a grant, you will be required to be a grant reader the following semester.

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Clubs and Organizations

  • Promote professional, educational, cultural, and/or social engagement of the graduate community

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  • New club recognition applications
    • New clubs need to submit an application to the GSG Senate for approval
    • Describe purpose and the role to the graduate community
    • Present to the GSG Senate

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  • In the first year of GSG recognition, a club will be eligible for funding per semester.
    • Applications are due in both the Fall and Spring terms. (max. $300/term)
  • Funding for established clubs: Annual award
    • Applications are due in the Fall term.

max. award request: $600

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Clubs and Organizations

  • Clubs must apply for funding each year
  • max. 50% of funds may be used for food
  • Funds are not disbursed until GSG senators confirm the club meets the GSG mission
  • Clubs that receive funding must submit an annual report that includes:
    • Purpose and role in the graduate community
      • list of events and activities, approximate count of attendees, and proof of advertising (flyer, social media, etc.)

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Expense reports are mandatory and failure to submit required materials will affect changes of future funding

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Clubs and Organizations

Currently GSG Recognized Clubs

Badminton and Table Tennis Club

Bangladeshi Students Association (BSA)

Clinical Psychology Diversity Committee

Clinical Psychology Self-Care Committee

CMJ GSA

COPRI

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Club

English Graduate Student Association

Friends of AEP

Geotechnical Student Organization

Graduate Biomedical Engineering Club

Graduate Student Association (GSA)

History Graduate Student Association (HGSA)

Iranian Graduate Student Asscociation (IGSA)

Nepalese Student Association (NSA)

RiSE Interdisciplinary STEM Education Research Group

School of Biology and Ecology Graduate Organization

School of Economics Graduate Student Club

School of Forest Resources Graduate Committee on DEI

School of Marine Sciences Professional Development Club

School of Marine Sciences Social Club

SCIS Graduate Student Club

SinoScholar Circle

South Asian Association of Maine

Spire: The Maine Journal of Conservation and Sustainability

Student Development Association

UMaine American Fisheries Society Student Subunit

Communication and Journalism Graduate Student Association (CMJ GSA)

School of Marine Sciences Club

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Contact Information

Graduate Student Government

Attn: Grants Officer

University of Maine

5755 Stodder Hall

Orono, Maine, 04469

Email: gsg.grants@maine.edu | https://umaine.edu/gsg/grants

Additional resources: