ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COLLEGE
GRADUATE STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH
GRANTS
Procedures
Requests for funding will be submitted to the Graduate College, where a committee will review
the requests and make a recommendation on funding to the Dean of the Graduate College or their
appointed representative. The Committee will be appointed each year by the Graduate Dean and
will consist of two members from the Graduate Council, one member from the Graduate Student
Council, and the Associate Dean or their designee from the Graduate College. There will be five
review cycles (tentatively set for February 1, April 1, June 1, September 1, November 1) where
applications will be accepted and reviewed. These awards will be competitive and are not
guaranteed. Requests for funding will be reviewed during each cycle, pending available funding.
The committee also holds the right to grant partial funding for the award and will notify the
applicant of the rationale used.
Grant Criteria
Professional development or research grant proposals are expected to be consistent with the
Graduate College’s vision and mission and have a reasonable correlation to institutional goals,
priorities, and constituencies. Examples include proposals that:
Contribute to growth in knowledge of a field/discipline
Contribute to research activities that will enhance the graduate students ability to put
into practice what they have learned in their graduate studies
Represent significant professional service to professional association or the
community
Enhance efforts that will improve the student’s overall professional growth in their
chosen discipline
Eligible Funding Items
Items eligible for funding include (but not limited to):
Expenses associated with graduate research
Professional conferences for the purpose of remaining current in their chosen
discipline, presenting a paper or program at a professional conference, or serving in a
significant official capacity (registration costs only; will not cover membership dues)
*Priority will be given to students presenting or serving in an official capacity
with the conference.
Professional development for specific knowledge and/or skill acquisition (including
webinars and virtual conferences registration fees)
Funding is provided with the expectation that the developmental activity and/or research would
increase the graduate students’ knowledge and ability to put what they have learned in their
studies into practice. Students seeking funds to cover travel expenses and lodging for
conferences will be directed to apply for funds from Student Services, “Funding Opportunities
and click on the Student Development Fund Guidelines and Application.
http://www.atu.edu/campuslife/resources.php
Eligibility
All full-time graduate students (as defined by the ATU Financial Aid Office), currently enrolled
in a graduate program are eligible for funds. Students must be enrolled the semester they intend to
use the funds. Graduate students must be in good academic standing at the time of their
application with the graduate college and have the support of their program coordinator.
Graduate students are only allowed to receive one grant/academic year.
Professional Development and Research Grant Limitations
A maximum of $250 may be awarded for each grant. These grants will be awarded from the
Foundation Office through the student accounts office. A credit will be issued to the student’s
account in the amount of the grant and a request will be sent for an immediate refund to the
student in the amount of the award.
Application Process:
Submit a completed application form.
Provide a max typed 1 page abstract that provides an overview of research or professional
development activity, your specific role in the activity or research, and how this
activity/research will be beneficial to, you, the graduate student.
*For Researchplease share a list of individuals working on this
research and their credentials, if the research has been approved by IRB
(if applicable); timeline to conduct research; and what you will do with
the results from the research. In addition, list out the individual expenses
the funds will be used to cover.
*For Professional DevelopmentProvide documentation showing the
registration costs associated with the
conference/webinar/presentation
Submit a max typed 1 page report upon the conclusion of their research or upon their
return from the professional conference.
o For research grantsindicate the results from their research; provide receipts of
expenses totaling the amount of the award.
o For professional conference presentation/attendance--provide a copy of the
presentation (if applicable); a reflection of their experience; and a copy or some
other documentation showing their presentation on the conference schedule.
*This report must be submitted before the end of the semester they were awarded
the funds to the graduate college. Failure to submit this final report, will result in
a hold being placed on the student’s account by the graduate college preventing
them from registering for classes and they will lose the ability to apply for future
grants. In the unlikely event the student decides not to complete their research or
attend the conference, the student will be expected to give back the funds to the
Graduate College Foundation Account.
Arkansas Tech University
Graduate College
Graduate Student Professional Development/Research Grant Application
Conference Participation ______ Paper Presentation ______ Research:_______
Name: _____________________________________ T# _______________________
Grant Cycle Applying: ______Fall _______Spring _______Summer
Major: ____________________________ Intended Graduation:__________________
Current Graduate GPA: _____________
Conference presentation/participation (Title, location, and dates of conference):
Research Proposal (Title of the researchif applicable--; location where research will be
conducted)
Estimated Costs:
______ Registration Costs
______ Materials/supplies
______ Other (explain): ____________________________________________________
______ Total Requested
Program Coordinator/Dept. Head Name*_______________________________________
*We hold the right to contact the above individual regarding your request. They must be aware and
support your request.
Signature_______________________________________ Date ____________________
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL
Email one-page abstract to gradcollege@atu.edu when submitting your completed
application.
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL
click to sign
signature
click to edit
OFFICE USE ONLY:
*By signing, they are indicating their support of the request.
Development Grant Committee: Recommended _____ Yes _____ No
Amount approved: $ ___________________
Date Approved:_______________________