The Student Research Grant Committee (SRGC) accepts and reviews applications for funding from students for conducting independent research while enrolled at MSSU. Research has been funded in all the disciplines at MSSU including the Arts, Music, Theater, English, Business, Communications, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Nursing, Kinesiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and others. The main criterion for our funding is that the student conducts independent research and then presents the research in a public venue.
Students may apply for either a Student Research Grant or a Student Travel Grant. There are two distinct grant applications and two distinct rubrics—one for each time of Student Grant—so students should read carefully and choose the appropriate application form.
The Student Research Grant is intended for costs of supplies, equipment, postage, printing costs, software, and other direct costs associated with conducting research. Travel to conduct research at sites other than Joplin may be funded by the Student Research Grant. Any equipment, non-consumed supplies, software, etc. procured by this funding is property of MSSU and is returned to the department sponsoring the student. Students who receive research grant funding MUST present their research at the Student Research Symposium in the spring semester. Students may choose to work in groups but funding will only be awarded to the group, not to each individual student. In the application, the student follows the format for most science-oriented grants. Sections include: 1). Description of the research: The purpose of the study, an abstract, the materials and methods, the type of data to be collected, an explanation of how the data will be analyzed, benefits of the research, and a statement about prior student grant funding. See the application for more details. 2). Projected timetable for research 3). Itemized budget 4). Use of requested funds.
The Student Travel Grant is intended for travel costs associated with attending a conference or other event or activity related to their field of study. Travel to meetings where the student is presenting their research (oral or poster presentations allowed is prioritized. Travel costs are standardized at MSSU and students must follow those guidelines for mileage rates, food costs, etc. Contact the Business office for those details. In the application, the student follows the format for travel grant applications. Sections include the following: description of the purpose and benefits of travel, itemized budget, type of travel, and a statement about prior student grant funding. See the application for more details.
We do not fund salaries or wages.
Students can receive one grant per academic year, with the maximum amount of $750 per grant.
