SEED Research Grants

Applications due: Friday, March 23, 2012
Duncan McArthur Hall, Rm. A101C

Funding will be provided for a significant new initiative or a new development in an existing research program. It is expected that normally at least 50% of the funding would be used to support Faculty of Education graduate students as research assistants.

Researchers in the Faculty of Education must satisfy one of the following criteria:

• hold a Tenured/Continuing appointment
• hold a Tenure-track/Continuing appointment
• hold a Continuing Adjunct appointment
• hold a Renewable Adjunct appointment

Guidelines for Applicants

The purpose of this initiative is to help faculty members attract external research funding. For researchers who have had previous SEED grants, the committee requires evidence of how that funding supported an application for an external grant. Only one application may be submitted per researcher (as applicant or co-applicant) per adjudication. The limit is $5,000 for a maximum of one year. If your project requires support from the Faculty's E-Services staff, please consult with the Manager of E-Services to ensure that any extra charges for resources are included in your proposal.

The Committee considers requests for assistance in the following categories:

• graduate research assistants (it is anticipated that this will normally constitute at least 50% of the funds applied for);
• clerical help
• purchase of books and materials
• actual costs of use of specialized research equipment
• transportation/travel costs for research purposes and for travel purposes to present significant scholarly work related to the proposed project
• subsistence for research purposes and for travel purposes to present significant scholarly work related to the proposed project
• photocopying, duplicating, telephone, and other incidental expenses

Note: There may be more applications than can be fully supported from the limited funds available and the Committee may award partial funding. Applicants are required to explain how partial funding may be helpful to their projects in question #6 of the application form. The Adjudication Committee will not consider applications for expenses already incurred. Funds may not be spent for purposes not covered by the terms of the award.

Researchers who require administrative assistance for a research project should use the regular services of the University as far as possible. If additional administrative assistance is required, a full explanation should be provided.

Payments made to research assistants must be consistent with the article on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment in the Collective Agreement. Research assistants will be paid at a rate appropriate for their qualifications. Applicants are expected to engage Faculty of Education graduate students as research assistants when possible. If full time graduate students are employed on a part-time basis, care must be taken not to violate the limitations on time commitments by such students. Where highly skilled operations are involved for which research assistance is not available at regular rates, the Committee will consider requests for higher rates.

As all payments (on a casual and on a regular basis) for clerical help or student assistants are subject to deductions for Canada Pension Plan and Unemployment Insurance, applicants should add 10% Benefits over the amount they will need for assistance in these categories.

When travel by the grantee is essential to the research program, travel expenses may be included as a budget item. The estimate of cost will be based on economy-class airfare, or comparable rail or bus fare, as the situation may justify. Approved automobile travel for field investigations will be estimated at the current Faculty of Education rate.

Subsistence grants will be made in accordance with current University policy. It should be noted that persons travelling outside Kingston and staying in one location for extended periods of time (in excess of two weeks) are expected to secure moderately priced long-term living arrangements.

Funding may be provided to prepare material for publication, e.g. typing, the preparation of drawings or charts, etc.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit an electronic copy of the grant application form and your proposal to Erin Wicklam at erin.wicklam@queensu.ca.

Application Forms

SEED Research Grant  Application 2012 (125 KB PDF)

SEED Research Grant Application 2012(72 KB Word)

Proposals 

Your proposal should include:

• a project description (maximum three pages in 12 pt. font), indicating the title, a description of the research with references to the relevant literature and a clear statement on methodology, and a description of how the results will be disseminated and/or published.
• a CV listing recent publications and grants and references
• proposed budget  
• adjudication

Adjudication will be a peer review process. The perceived significance of the proposed research, as documented in the application itself, is the most important criterion used by the Adjudication Committee in reaching recommendations for funding.

After the termination date, the research account set up for the administration of the award will be closed and any remaining funds will be returned for the next competition. In exceptional cases, an extension of up to six months may be granted. Written requests for an extension should be addressed to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research and should explain the reasons for the requested extension.

All grant holders must submit a brief research report to the Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research, including the impact the award had on their work, within six months of the project's completion.

Queen's Faculty of Education should be acknowledged in all publications arising from the research.