Welcome to the URCA Grant Application Guide!
URCA Grant Applications must be submitted by midnight, November 15, 2024.
Please review this guide carefully, as some parts of the application have changed from previous years. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the URCA office.
Application Support
Students are strongly encouraged to have URCA staff review their applications before submitting them. This will ensure everything is in order and give you the best chance at a successful application. Check out our Workshops page for more information about events to help you prepare your application. This year, we will offer regularly scheduled working hours at CITRAL, where students can drop in, work on their applications, and talk with staff. Check the calendar on our workshops page for the full schedule. You may also make an appointment, email, or visit our office hours for additional support or to have your application checked prior to submission.
Group Projects
Students working in groups should each submit individual applications. It is expected and accepted that many components, like the abstract and timeline will be identical across group members, but the proposal should clearly identify how the submitting individual is specifically contributing to the group.
Application Checklist
Please see pages linked below for important details about each component.
Online application form
750-1000 word project plan
Itemized budget on official form
Detailed timeline
Mentor meets eligibility requirements and completed endorsement (students will receive notification email when mentor form is submitted)
Detailed Instructions
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed and scored on a rubric included below. If the proposal was accepted and there are minor issues with the budget, students will be given 10 days to correct the application according to feedback.
Students will not be given the opportunity to revise the project proposal or timeline after submission.
Criteria for Funding
Review Scale: Very visible–somewhat visible–not evident
Project Goals
The project goals are clear, such as a research question being answered or clearly defined creative project being developed.
Project Background and Context
The proposed project is situated in its relevant context. The proposal demonstrates familiarity with the literature and existing work in this area.
Methods
The proposal provides a comprehensive description of how any data will be collected, what data sources will be analyzed, plan of analysis or measurement instrument. For creative projects, the proposal provides relevant description of how the project will be developed.
Student Initiated
The proposed project is initiated by the student. For group projects, the project plan identifies the applicant's specific role in completing the project.
Clarity
The proposal uses appropriate technical and non-technical language that is accessible to a non-specialist academic audience and all pronouns have clear antecedents. To avoid confusion, do not say "we" except when referring to multiple clearly identified people. Use "I" or your last name and singular pronouns when referring to only yourself.
Timeline and Feasibility
The project is feasible in scope. The outlined milestones are reasonably achievable and the plan manageable. Relevant milestones are in the grant period.
Budget
The budget is clearly explained and is appropriate for the activities proposed. Cost estimates are realistic and justified.