Dissertation Grants Application Requirements

Proposal

Applicants must submit proposals through RSF’s online application portal. The maximum length of a proposal is five single-spaced pages, plus the bibliography (with standard 12-point font, and 1-inch margins). Proposals should briefly outline the rationale of the research, clearly state the question(s) under study and provide extensive details regarding the research methods, data, measures, and analytic approach to be employed. Priority will be given to proposals that will use RSF funds to gather new quantitative or qualitative data, including conducting interviews, field work, and archival work, carrying out experiments, paying study participant incentives, purchasing data not already available to the investigator, etc. The proposal should briefly discuss the project’s relevance to any of our program and priority areas. The initial submission must also include a brief budget description that explains what RSF funds would cover and what existing sources of support are already secured.

Conditional on positive reviews, a detailed budget and a project timeline that indicates how RSF funds will be used at various stages of the project (e.g., data collection, data preparation, data analysis, etc.) will be requested at a later date. The timeline should also indicate when the dissertation is expected to be completed. We realize most dissertations will not be completed during the one-year grant period.

Grantees of RSF-Upjohn grants will be expected to give a research seminar at the Upjohn Institute at a time that is useful to the grantee. Upjohn will cover expenses for the visit.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the RSF online application portal, Fluxx.

1. Create an account or log in to your existing account.
   **Allow up to 5 business days for a new account to be approved**
2. Start a new “Dissertation Research Grants” application and select the appropriate program option.
3. Fill out the short application form with basic questions about the applicant and the project
4. Submit these documents:
   • A concise single-spaced (5 pages maximum) proposal describing the research; Bibliography does not count towards page limit
   • An up-to-date abbreviated CV (maximum of 5 pages);

Conditional on positive external reviews, applicants will be invited to submit:

1. A letter from the dissertation supervisor
   • The supervisor must document that the dissertation research (a) is the same research that was described in the DRG proposal and (b) has been approved by the dissertation committee.
   • If you are defending your prospectus this Spring after the application deadline, this must be received before funds can be disbursed
2. A detailed Excel budget, using the RSF budget template;
3. A budget narrative that explains what RSF funds would cover;
   • The budget narrative must also include a timeline that includes the dissertation activities for which funds will be requested and when the dissertation is expected to be completed.
4. Due diligence requirements requested for all RSF grants, including:
   • Confirmation of IRB approval or IRB exemption
   • Confirmation of access to restricted data sources (if applicable)
   • Proof of pre-registration (if applicable)

Deadlines and Review Process

Applications will be accepted through February 1, 2025 (2 pm Eastern Time/11 am Pacific Time). Late applications will not be reviewed. All applications are internally reviewed to determine fit with the RSF’s priorities and the quality of the application, including clarity in presentation, and whether the data and research methods are described in sufficient detail. Applications that pass internal review will be externally reviewed by experts from different disciplines and will receive reviewer comments on their submissions. Decisions are expected to be announced in May and grants can start on or after July 1. Funding decisions are final. RSF expects to approve up to 25 grants.