Research Initiative Grant 2011-2012
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2011.
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) Research Initiative Grant assists undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
by providing financial support for scholarly projects exploring the multifaceted dimensions of race and/or ethnicity as well as issues of
diversity within the University of Chicago, the larger City of Chicago community, and/or higher education. Qualifying projects include
but are not limited to ethnographic work, survey-based research, and documentaries. The OMSA Research Initiative Grant is disbursed
in equal portions throughout the academic year. The grant is strictly for the use of research-related cost and not to cover the cost of
coursework or travel outside of Chicago.
Eligibility
Registered students who are in good standing in the College or University may apply. Students who are on an extension of the deadline
for completion of a graduate (MA or PhD) or professional (MBA, JD, etc.) degree are not eligible. Students are eligible to apply for one
OMSA Research Initiative Grant per year. Students who are applying for the Research Initiative Grant for the first time will be given
priority.
Terms and Conditions
All projects must culminate in a written paper by the end of June 2011, in addition to other supplemental materials such as interviews
and photography. Papers and additional materials will be uploaded to the OMSA website as PDF documents and accessible to the
University of Chicago community. Failure to comply with all requested documentation and requirements of the grant may result in
revocation of the funds or a request for the funding to be returned to OMSA.
Students who are awarded the 2011-2012 OMSA Research Initiative Grant are required to present their findings at the OMSA Research
Initiative Grant Symposium that will take place in the Spring Quarter of 2012. In addition, students are required to attend two meetings
during the academic year. Schedules for these meetings will be set after recipients are selected.
Funds obtained through the OMSA Research Initiative Grant are intended to be applied towards the cost of conducting research
relating to the applicant’s research area. Examples of eligible expenses include but are not limited to textbooks, software, and
transcriptions. Final determination of eligible costs is reserved by the application review committee. Retroactive charges for
expenditures incurred or committed prior to review and approval of this application will not be funded. Before requesting funds for
media expenses, such as a camcorder, please inquire about renting these materials through OMSA’s Media Resource Library.
Grant recipients are required to claim the OMSA Research Initiative Grant funds on their taxes. Undergraduate students are required to
contact the Office of College Aid regarding the impact this grant will have on their financial aid award before funds can be allocated.
Graduate and professional students are required to discuss impact on funding or financial aid with their division or school before funds
can be allocated.
Application Deadline
Individual grants are awarded once per year, with the total award divided evenly and disbursed quarterly. Grants will not be awarded
for projects that are already complete.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATION IS MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2011. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Submission and Review Process Questions
Completed applications should be submitted to the Office of Please contact Jean Chen at jmchen@uchicago.edu or call
Multicultural Student Affairs, Attn: Research Initiative Grant (773) 834-4642.
5710 S. Woodlawn Av., Chicago, IL 60637.
Award Notification
Notification of awards will be sent via email to recipients.
Research Initiative Grant 2011-2012
THIS APPLICATION DUE MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2011.
PAGE ONE OF THREE
APPLICANT INFORMATION
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY
Name Date
Address Student ID #
City State Zip
Email Phone
Division or School Degree Sought
Faculty Advisor Department
Email Phone
Are You Currently Employed? Yes No
If Yes, Please Indicate Employer
Amount Requested
Total Cost of Project
Research Initiative Grant 2011-2012
THIS APPLICATION DUE MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2011.
PAGE TWO OF THREE
PROPOSED BUDGET
Please complete the proposed budget form below. This budget should include detailed costs associated with completing
your research. Should you need to purchase items such as textbooks or software, attach a copy of a price quote. In
addition, attach a brief description of any specialized expenses that are not self explanatory.
ESTIMATED COSTS – PRINT AND ATTACH ADDITIONAL PAGES OF THIS BUDGET SHEET IF NEEDED
Description of Expense Price Quantity Total Price
Total
RESOURCES (UC DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM/EXTERNAL SOURCE) – NOTE: THIS SECTION MUST INCLUDE ONLY
THOSE FUNDS THAT ARE SECURED, NOT SIMPLY REQUESTED. PLEASE INCLUDE THE FULL NAME AND PHONE
NUMBER OF A CONTACT PERSON AT THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATION.
Source Amount
Contact Name Phone
Source Amount
Contact Name Phone
Research Initiative Grant 2011-2012
THIS APPLICATION DUE MONDAY OCTOBER 17, 2011.
PAGE THREE OF THREE
REQUIRED SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Please provide the following materials in A SINGLE packet. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
An essay of 500 WORDS MAXIMUM elaborating on your interest in race/ethnicity and/or higher
education-related research and to what degree you feel your work will contribute to the
understanding of the multifaceted nature of race, race relations, ethnicity, and/or culture within the
University of Chicago, the larger City of Chicago community, and/or higher education.
A proposal of 750 WORDS MAXIMUM explaining your project. Proposals must include a section
detailing how the project fills a void in discussing issues of race, race relations, ethnicity, and/or
culture within the University of Chicago, the larger City of Chicago community, and/or higher
education.
A letter of recommendation from a faculty member who commits to provide support and advice
regarding your research project.
A list of additional funding sources, if any. Information should be entered in the Proposed Budget form
above.
The information in this application is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. If I am awarded an
OMSA Research Initiative Grant, I understand that it is my responsibility to adhere to the award terms
outlined in the Guidelines handout attached to this application packet.
Signature Date