Graduate Research Fellows

Southern Connecticut State University is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support Graduate Research Fellows during the 2027–2028 academic year. This initiative is funded by the SCSU Foundation through the Office of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs and is intended to expand opportunities for meaningful faculty and graduate student collaboration in research.

Grants of up to $3,000 per semester will be awarded to eligible full-time faculty members to support one graduate research fellow who will assist with the faculty member’s research in an academic discipline represented at Southern.

Faculty members who wish to apply for this grant will submit proposals stating the objectives of the research project on which they plan to employ a graduate fellow, stating exactly what the responsibilities of this student will be, and they will include an itemized budget. The budget may include line items such as a stipend for students or travel expenses for students to conduct research. This grant cannot be used for travel expenses for students to present at conferences (see GSAC and RSAC websites for grants for conference travel expenses) or for supplies for the research project (Faculty Members expected to provide supplies required for the research project).

The purpose of this program is to support faculty research while providing graduate students with meaningful opportunities to participate in ongoing or planned scholarly research under the mentorship of a faculty member.

Applicants must provide an itemized budget describing how the requested funds will support the graduate research fellow.

Allowable expenses may include:

• A stipend for the graduate research fellow; and
• Travel expenses necessary for the graduate student to conduct research associated with the approved project.

Funds may not be used for:

• Graduate student travel to present research at conferences. Applicants should consult GSAC and RSAC funding opportunities for conference travel support; or
• Supplies or materials required for the faculty member’s research project. Faculty members are expected to provide the supplies necessary to conduct the proposed research.

To be eligible, a applicant must:

Be a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member at Southern Connecticut State University;

• Have completed at least one full year of service as a full-time faculty member at Southern by the end of the Spring 2027 semester;
• Have an ongoing or planned research project that would benefit from the support of a graduate research fellow; and
• When relevant to the discipline or project, demonstrate how the proposed work may contribute to opportunities to pursue external funding, ranging from regional or private grants to competitive national initiatives.

Applicants whose proposed research involves human participants or vertebrate animals must obtain approval from the appropriate University committee:

• Institutional Review Board (IRB) for research involving human participants; or
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for research involving
  vertebrate animals.

Evidence of the required IRB and/or IACUC approval must be included with the proposal. Research involving human participants or vertebrate animals may not begin until the appropriate approval has been obtained.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Kuali Build.

Application Deadline: 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

The electronic application will require the following:

The electronic application will require:

1. Identifying information as a cover sheet
2. A PDF attachment of your Statement of research: using a maximum of five pages (single-spaced, 11-point Times New Roman font), please describe the:
   • Research problem;
   • Research design (methodology and status of IRB and/or IACUC clearances, if applicable);
   • Research resources (e.g. laboratory access, equipment, libraries, etc.);
   • An outline of anticipated expenses relative to the project, and
   • A detailed description of the responsibilities of the graduate research fellow and their anticipated, specific contribution to the applicant’s research.
3. A PDF attachment of your full CV
4. A PDF attachment of your IRB or IACUC application if such is needed

Complete all required identifying and project information within the electronic application.

Upload a PDF research statement of no more than five single-spaced pages using 11-point Times New Roman font.

The research statement should address:

• Research Problem: Clearly describe the research question, problem, or area of inquiry.
• Research Design: Describe the proposed methodology and, when applicable, the status of IRB and/or IACUC approval.
• Research Resources: Identify the resources available to support the project, such as laboratory access, equipment, libraries, databases, or other facilities.
• Budget: Provide an itemized description of anticipated expenses associated with the graduate research fellow.
• Graduate Research Fellow Responsibilities: Provide a detailed description of the fellow’s responsibilities and explain the specific contribution the graduate student is expected to make to the faculty member’s research.

Upload a PDF copy of the applicant’s full and current curriculum vitae.

If applicable, upload documentation of the required IRB and/or IACUC approval.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Research and Scholarship Advisory Committee (RSAC).

RSAC will review the submitted proposals and make recommendations to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will make the final award decisions.

Award recipients must submit a final report of no more than two pages within one month following the conclusion of the project.

The program is intended to support research that results in meaningful scholarly or professional outcomes. Examples may include:

• Peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts;
• Other published scholarly works;
• National or international conference presentations;
• Presentations at the SCSU Graduate Research Conference; or
• Relevant scholarly, scientific, creative, or professional productions or works.

The final report should summarize the work completed, the graduate research fellow’s contribution to the project, and any resulting or anticipated scholarly outcomes.

Questions regarding the Graduate Research Fellows program or application process may be directed to:

C. Michele Thompson
Extension 2-5614
thompsonc2@southernct.edu

Questions regarding the electronic application form may be directed to:

Sponsored Programs and Research (SPAR) Office
spar@southernct.edu