Graduate School Research Fund

The objective of the Graduate School Research Fund (GSRF) is to support research as an integral part of the mission and the graduate academic programs of the University of Washington. Support may be provided for:

1. Initiation or completion of faculty research projects;
2. Purchase of equipment which will benefit broad areas of research;
3. Research-related seminars or travel;
4. Recruitment of outstanding graduate students;
5. Publication of scholarly books;
6. Special faculty research initiatives, particularly those which are interdisciplinary or serve several research groups.
   

The GSRF is directed toward immediate, short-term, one-time support rather than future, continuing, or multiyear commitments. Priority is given to proposals where GSRF support may lead to results which justify longer-term outside funding. The emphasis is on competitively reviewed proposals. Salaries, equipment, or research expenses promised by the schools and colleges in connection with faculty recruitment or retention are not appropriate items for GSRF funding; neither are substantial or lengthy commitments to secure outside grants or contracts.

The GSRF is administered by the Associate Dean for Research under delegated authority from the Dean.

GSRF revenues come from the following sources:

1. State funds provided in the University's biennial budget;
2. Grants to the University which permit discretionary support of research programs, such as a Biomedical Research Support Grant from the National Institutes of Health;
3. Indirect costs provided as part of grants and contracts received by the University;
4. Private donations to the University for support of research;
5. Institutional allowances provided to the University with graduate and postdoctoral fellowships and traineeships (Executive Order No. 25 of the President);
6. Royalty income from patents, inventions, and copyrights in which the University has an interest (Executive Order No. 36 of the President).

Policies for each area in which the GSRF provides support are given below.

1. Research Projects.
   • Allocations may be made (in rough priority order) to help new faculty begin research, to help established faculty initiate new research directions, to encourage interdisciplinary research, and to complete research already carried to a significant stag e.
   • Only faculty members holding the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, professor, or equivalent research faculty titles are eligible to apply. Salary may not be requested for a research faculty member.
   • Applications are reviewed competitively by appropriate committees with merit as the primary criterion. Among proposals of equal merit, highest priority is given to tenure-track assistant professors not previously supported by the GSRF. Priority also is given to applications which propose salary support of graduate students or summer salary for assistant professors.
   • A faculty member may hold only one GSRF grant at a time. The support period normally is limited to one year.
   • Applications normally are considered twice yearly with funding for successful proposals available within ten weeks after the proposal deadline. The GSRF Office can supply application forms, deadline dates, and detailed policies and procedures.
   • A special section of the Research Projects budget is maintained for funding of one-quarter Research Professorships in the arts and humanities. Successful applicants receive full salary and a modest increment for one quarter during the academic year, with relief from all teaching responsibilities for that quarter. Applications are reviewed competitively by an appropriate committee once yearly for funding approximately a year later. The GSRF Office can supply application forms, deadline dates, and de tailed policies and procedures.
2. Equipment.
   Limited discretionary funding is available for purchase of equipment of modest cost which will fill long-term research needs of several users. Matching support from the department, school, or college involved is normally a condition for a GSRF award in t his area. Application should be made by letter to the Associate Dean for Research, with supporting letters from the chairs of departments and deans of colleges which would benefit. The letters should justify the need clearly, describe funding available from other sources, and propose an exact budget.
3. Seminars and travel.
   Shortly after the beginning of each biennium, the Associate Dean for Research allocates specific amounts from the GSRF to selected departments, schools, and colleges for support over a two-year period of:
   • Honoraria for distinguished visitors who present seminars, confer with faculty and graduate students, and otherwise advance the scholarly work of the University;
   • Travel by graduate students and faculty to present papers at professional meetings describing results of their research.

   Units receiving allocations are responsible for expending them consistently with guidelines supplied by the GSRF Office. Units which do not receive allocations are invited by letter to apply directly to the GSRF Office for awards from a limited reserve f und.

4. Graduate Student Recruitment.
   The GSRF and the Fellowship and Assistantship Division of the Graduate School jointly support a program for recruitment of outstanding graduate students. Each autumn the Dean invites selected degree-granting units to submit proposals for several types of support to be offered along with admission to the Graduate School, including:
   • Fellowships and research assistantships;
   • Supplements to departmental teaching or research assistantships;
   • Tuition scholarships;
   • Transportation expenses to allow the applicant to visit the University;
   • Other recruiting needs, such as departmental brochures.

   Criteria for proposal evaluation include quality of the graduate program and perceived need for recruiting assistance. Allocations are made to units before the beginning of winter quarter. Units receiving awards are given discretion to use them flexibly to achieve the most effective recruiting. Units not receiving awards are invited to apply to a limited reserve fund for recruitment of a single most outstanding applicant.

5. Book Publication.
   Limited discretionary funding is available to assist faculty members with publication of their scholarly works. Only direct costs levied by the publisher for book-type manuscripts are eligible for support. Requests for assistance with journal publicatio n or manuscript preparation cannot be considered. Application should be made by letter to the Associate Dean for Research following an outline available from the GSRF Office.
6. Special Initiatives.
   Careful consideration will be given to faculty requests for research support which do not fall into the above categories. Priority is given to requests which are interdisciplinary in character or which serve the needs of several research groups. Request s where rapid response is necessary also fall into this category. Application should be made by letter to the Associate Dean for Research, with a supporting letter from the chair of the department or, in the case of requests by the chair, from the dean o f the college. The letters should justify the need clearly, describe funding available from other sources, and propose an exact budget. Faculty members considering such requests are urged to contact the GSRF Office or the Associate Dean for Research in advance to discuss whether the request is appropriate.