The Rackham Graduate School announces 2014 Rackham International Research Awards (RIRA) to support doctoral and master’s students conducting degree-related research outside the United States and Puerto Rico. http://www.rackham.umich.edu/prospective-students/funding/student-application/international-research-awards
The grant is intended to defray the costs of conducting clearly defined research projects including:
- Travel and living expenses.
- Research-related expenses, e.g., subject fees, access to specialized data sets, purchase of archival materials or images unavailable in the U.S., laboratory supplies that will be consumed in the course of the project.
- Temporary research assistants or transcribers (Note: Requests for this type of expense must include a compelling explanation of why the student cannot perform the work him or herself).
- Purchase of laboratory or fieldwork equipment or specialized software (Note: this type of expense has special limitations).
- Simultaneous with the conduct of the research itself, the study of a language necessary for the research that is not taught at U-M.
Eligibility
- Applicants may be of any citizenship and must be in good academic standing in a Rackham degree program, with a record that shows good progress toward the degree.
- The proposed research must be directly related to a dissertation, thesis, and may not be associated with a course or other requirement.
- Doctoral students must reach candidacy by September 2014 and have an approved dissertation topic.
- Students in master’s programs must be engaged in a non-course related research project required for their degree.
- Students with external research fellowship support may apply, but must specify the additional research activities the RIRA will support and demonstrate why these are necessary for the successful completion of the research.
- Eligible projects will take place between May 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015.
- Students who have previously received a Rackham International Research Award are ineligible.
Awards
The maximum award amount is $10,000. Funding will be available for use no earlier than April 2014.
Selection Criteria
Applicants must have a very strong academic record and demonstrate outstanding scholarly and professional promise. Applicants must have the language and other skills necessary to complete the proposed research, as well as a feasible plan and timetable.
Selection Process
A faculty selection committee, coordinated by the International Institute, will review applications.
Application Procedures
Students must complete the Rackham International Research Awards application and submit one copy of:
- A statement of no more than three 12-font double-spaced pages, written in a language for non-specialists, that describes the proposed research and explains its significance and feasibility. Applicants should discuss language skills and other competencies needed to conduct the proposed research.
- A full budget and timetable for completing the research. The budget should show all anticipated costs and all other sources of support, pending and confirmed. The research budget should match the activities described in the proposal. It should explain in detail the costs associated with each of the activities (see the list of ineligible expenses below. Note that research assistance or transcription of notes or recordings will not normally be allowed unless there is a compelling explanation as to why the student cannot accomplish the task.) If the anticipated costs are greater than the amount requested, explain what other resources are already available to support the remaining expenses. If funding is being requested from multiple sources, list those sources.
- A letter of no more than two pages from the student’s principal advisor (chair of the dissertation committee, if the student has an approved dissertation proposal). The writer should address the student’s record and promise for successful completion of the proposed research; the student’s capacity with language or other skills necessary for completing the proposed research; other sources of fellowship or research support the student has received; and any obstacles facing the student in securing external or internal funding for research abroad. The letter should be submitted electronically as part of the online application.
- An unofficial copy of the University of Michigan graduate academic record (transcript).
- A résumé/curriculum vitae.
Ineligible expenses include:
- Research unrelated to the graduate program, or conducted following the completion of degree requirements.
- Research that has already been completed, with research expenses incurred prior to the submission date.
- U-M tuition or fees.
- Living expenses in the U.S., such as rent, child care, and utilities.
- Books and other materials that are available through the U-M library or inter-library loan.
- Computers, computer equipment, cameras or camera equipment.
- Travel and living support for spouses, partners, or other family members accompanying the student to the research site.
Deadline
Applications should be submitted by Monday, February 3, 2014.
Contact
Kelly Peckens, Academic Program Officer, International Institute, 2660 SSWB, (734) 764-9135.
