Resources
Some resources you may find helpful:
- Presentations
- List of Internal Awarded Grants
PUBLICATIONS
The Letter of Inquiry
Begin the process by researching a funding agency's website to understand their funding agenda and grants recently awarded. Feel free to call the funding agency to inquire about their current funding priorities and award ranges. Briefly explain your project/research/program and ask if it is a good fit or if they have any further suggestions. If you are encouraged to apply, ask if you should submit a proposal or a letter of inquiry. When applicable, a letter of inquiry is an effective way to approach most foundations for potential funding. It is similar in format to a proposal but shorter in length and gives a glimpse of the project.
The Letter Application
The letter application format should be used when applying to small foundations and corporations who do not have an established format for a grant application. It combines the proposal and cover letter into one document and contains the narrative, budget, mission, history, philosophy, and supporting documentation.
Contacting a Program Officer
Prior to submitting a written proposal, contacting a program officer helps determine if the research project is a good fit with the program's goals and objectives, uses the right approach in project design, identifies the most important components of the proposal and desired institutional support, addresses a current “hot” topic to increase the chance of being funded, or other recommendations to strengthen the proposal. The chance of being awarded increases if your proposal fits well with the research endeavors the program manager is charged to fund. Refer to the Contacting a Program Officer brochure for more information.
PRESENTATIONS
The Office of Sponsored Programs hosts various presentations related to pre- and post-award grant areas of interest. Some of the PowerPoints used at these presentations are presented here for your convenience. Additional presentations can be found on the D2L site.
Fall Convocation 2008: Grants & Scholarship Info for New Faculty (PDF)
Fall Convocation 2008: Grants & Contracts Resources at SCSU (PDF)
Fall Convocation 2008: Dealing with Grants & Contracts Issues (PDF)
Fall Convocation 2007: External Grants & Contracts at SCSU (PDF)
Fall Convocation 2006: Grant Writing Part I: Funding Sources and Resources (PDF)
Fall Convocation 2006: Grant Writing Part II: Techniques and Tips for Success (PDF)
LIST OF INTERNAL AWARDED GRANTS
Short -Term Faculty Improvement Grants
Grant awards support registration fees, travel, and per diem related to non-credit workshops or training programs 1-14 days in length that help prepare faculty for new types of teaching assignments, as well as strenthen current faculty assignments. They do not support attendance at annual meetings or professional conferences. The primary purpose of the grant is educational in focus. These grants are also designed to fund hands-on training and programs that, like workshops and non-credit courses, bring about a sustained focus on a single topic and demand active participation. A key criterion in determining eligibility is the interactive nature of the event for which you are applying.
| FY - 2015 Round 1, 2 & 3 | FY - 2014 Round 1, 2 & 3 | FY - 2013 Round 1, 2, & 3 |
| FY - 2012 Round 1, 2 & 3 | FY - 2011 Round 1, 2 & 3 | FY - 2010 Round 1 & 2 |
| FY - 2003 Round 1, 2 & 3 | FY - 2002 Round 1, 2 & 3 | FY - 2001 Round 1, 2 & 3 |
Long-Term & Research Faculty Improvement Grants
Long-Term Grant awards support curriculum development, writing, study (work on a dissertation, pursuit of a terminal degre, study in a current or new discipline), and travel projects. Activities must be longer than 14 days and can occur during one or both summer sessions or for up to 20 weeks when a faculty member is not otherwise working or teaching at SCSU. Research grant awards support research and other scholarly activities.
New Researcher Awards
The purpose of the New Researcher Awards are to encourage recently hired faculty and staff to pursue external grant funding by providing some seed monies early in their career with the university. Nominations for awards are received from each college dean's office.
| FY - 2014 | FY - 2013 | FY - 2012 |
| FY - 2011 | FY - 2010 | FY - 2009 |
University Research Funds
The University Researcher Fund was established in FY02 to assist individuals with the research costs related to preparing an effective external grant proposal of $25,000 or more for research, scholarly or creative activity. Probationary and tenured faculty and staff can apply for up to $5,000. Individuals working in collaboration or on closely related projects should apply as a group. The purpose of the University Researcher funding is to provide a multi-faceted support system to help individuals develop and hone the skills needed to be successful in seeking at least mid-level funding from external sources. The generation of indirect costs from external grants allows programs like this to continue.
Student Research Awards
These funds support academic research and creative activity by St. Cloud State University undergraduate and graduate students under the direction of a St. Cloud State University faculty member.
Saigo Endowment for Faculty and Staff Excellence Fund
The Saigos established the Saigo Endowment for Faculty and Staff Excellence Fund in 2007 out of a desire to help support faculty and staff in their ongoing professional development. The purpose of the fund is to encourage and assist faculty and staff with scholarly activities including professional presentations, performances and exhibitions; research and creative endeavors; and publications. All full-time permanent or temporary faculty and staff at St. Cloud State University are eligible to apply.
| FY - 2013 | FY - 2009 | FY - 2008 |
Lowell Hellervik Award
The Hellervik Prize is St. Cloud State University’s premier prize for research, and encourages and rewards scholarly activity that holds the potential to earn external sponsorship and advance knowledge on issues of importance to society.
Research Instrumentation Funds
These funds are intended to improve the quality of faculty research and creative activity at St. Cloud State University by supporting the purchase of equipment and durable supplies not normally obtainable through annual University budgeting processes.
| FY-2006 |
