Policy For Travel and Research Funds for graduate students
Please submit applications for travel and research awards to:
Ana Franco-Watkins
211 Thach
afrancowatkins@auburn.edu
844-6492
It is the intention of the Department of Psychology to provide research and travel support for graduate students pursuing research activities that are part of their matriculation through the psychology program at Auburn University. In addition to the departmental resources, there are resources available through the Graduate School of which students, also, need to be aware. All graduate students are eligible to apply to the Graduate School for travel and research funds.
It is the policy of the Department of Psychology that any student wishing to obtain funds for research or travel first apply to the Graduate School for support. The Graduate School format for doing this is on their website and can be obtained by going to the Graduate School web page for research awards or travel awards. The Graduate School awards are for thesis/dissertation research, either to complete research or to provide travel expenses for presentations of research data. The maximum award available from the Graduate School is $1,000 and though it is rare that they provide this amount, some support is usually available.
In addition to funds available through the Graduate School, students can apply directly to the psychology department for research and travel funds. The department can provide funds when money is needed after the Graduate School deadline has passed, when additional funds beyond those provided by the graduate school are required, when the student requires funds to conduct research not directly connected to their thesis or dissertation, or when funds are needed for professional travel. The Graduate Student Research Committee will consider applications directly without application having already been submitted to the Graduate School. However, the student must still complete the graduate school application form, and the application should be submitted to the Graduate Student Research Committee. That is, the Graduate School forms must be used, even if the student is not applying for Graduate School funding.
Unlike the Graduate School, students may apply for this support multiple times. However, priority will be given to students who are making an initial request. Requests will be provided to the Graduate Student Research Committee, currently chaired by Bryan Edwards, and they will make awards based on merit of the proposal and the student’s previous award record.
GRADUATE RESEARCH AND TRAVEL FUNDING GUIDELINES (MAY 2007)
Research and travel funding for PhD students:
A. Research Funds
1. Master level students will have up to $300.00 and Ph.D. level students will have up to $500.00 available in research funds, for a total of $800.00 during their tenure at Auburn. Students who arrive at Auburn with a Masters degree will be considered only for the Ph.D. level funding. These monies can be requested as a lump sum or in smaller amounts, and they can be used toward degree-related or degree-unrelated research, as long as it is sponsored by their Faculty advisor. Students who require additional resources to complete research and have extinguished the resources available through both the Psychology Department and the Graduate School can appeal to the Chair of this committee for extra funds. Allocation of these funds will be determined on the basis of (1) availability of funds, and (2) need of the money for degree completion. Although preference will be given to students who have not previously received Research Funds from the Department, every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of students requiring funds to complete their degree. Application for Psychology Department Research Award.
B. Travel Funds
1. Only students that are either first or second author on a presentation and/poster can apply for travel funds. Only one single student can receive travel support for a single poster or presentation.
2. Students can only be funded for five years of their tenure here at Auburn.
3. The amount of the travel award will be set to $500.00 per fiscal year.
4. Students must be working physically on campus in order to be eligible to apply for travel funds. (Students that are employed fulltime elsewhere or on internship and are registered for the minimum number of credits are not eligible for travel funds).
5. Deadlines will be set such that students must apply for funding two weeks before their departure on a trip. Funding is not guaranteed in the case that the department has exhausted its travel funds at that time (students are encouraged to submit applications early). Application for Psychology Department Travel Award.
C. Master’s Students in Developmental Disabilities and Undergraduate Psychology Majors
1. ABADD Master’s Students: Funding will not be made available to Master’s students in the ABADD Master’s program.
2. Undergraduate Psychology Majors: A one time award of $200.00 for travel will be available to 10 psychology majors (5 during the fall and 5 during the spring/summer) that are first author on a poster and or presentation at a professional meeting). Requests for this award will be subject to the same deadlines as the Travel awards for graduate students. Awards will be made on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to funds availability. Students are encouraged to submit applications early.