Graduate Student Summer Research and Write-Up Awards

Competition Deadline: March 13, 2024

Summer Research Awards: The School of Liberal Arts (SLA) Dean's Office will provide Graduate Student Summer Research and Write-Up awards of up to $5,000 to support degree-related summer research for dissertations and thesis exhibitions/performances for graduate students completing terminal degrees (Ph.D. and M.F.A). Students may use funds for research expenses, supplies and equipment, and travel related to research, data collection/analysis, or performances/exhibitions necessary for their research, or to participate in professional development workshops. The award cannot be used for labor expenses (e.g., site excavations or set construction crews; paying a third party to transcribe interviews) or to pay tuition or any expenses related to professional conferences (e.g., registration, travel, etc.); there are other funding mechanisms to support these types of activities. Only in exceptional situations, will the purchase of computer equipment be considered. All equipment and software programs purchased with or tangible work product created using SLA funds are considered the property of the school and must be turned over to the department upon completion of the project and prior to graduation.

Summer Write-up Awards: Students who have completed data collection and research may apply for a Summer Write-up Award of up to $3,000 for the completion of their dissertation.

Eligibility for Research and Write-up Awards: Only Ph.D. students who are ABD or students completing their MFAs in the following year are eligible to apply. MFAs who are not doing dissertations but are completing thesis exhibitions or performances are encouraged to apply. Ph.D. candidates who are not ABD when the application is submitted but will have completed all ABD requirements before summer may apply ONLY IF they will achieve ABD status no later than May 31.

Students who have previously received two SLA graduate summer research or write-up awards are ineligible. Students who previously received one Graduate Student Summer Research or Write-Up Award but did not submit their progress report by the October 31 deadline, are also ineligible.

How to apply: SLA Summer Research and Write-up Award applications must be submitted using the online application form below no later than March 13, 2024.

Link to On-line Application – Applications are open February 1 through March 13

(NOTE: You will not be able to save this application once started so be sure you have all materials listed below before beginning the application).

Required application materials:

  1. Proposal - A maximum two-page (single spaced, 12 pt. font) proposal that details the major research questions, problems, or object of analysis. The proposal should address what activities will be undertaken and how the summer award will be used for needed resources. Overall, the proposal should explain how the award will enhance the students' research and professional activities and allow them to complete their projects in a timely manner. The proposal should be written in a jargon-free manner that can be understood by faculty in a wide range of disciplines.
  2. Budget - An itemized budget listing the anticipated expenses in 4 categories: supplies and fees, equipment, travel (including room and board) for data collection/research, and other miscellaneous costs of completing the project. These expenses must be input in the appropriate box in the itemized budget section on the application; do not upload a separate budget file. If you are applying for the $3,000 write-up award, please do not submit an itemized budget; just leave this blank.
  3. CV - A curriculum vitae.
  4. Letter of Recommendation/Support (no more than one page) from the applicant's major advisor or dissertation chair. The letter must be uploaded to the online application by the recommender via a link that will be e-mailed to the recommender named on the application. Note: the recommender will not receive the recommendation request and upload link email until AFTER you submit the application. Please keep this in mind when submitting your application and allow enough time for your recommender to upload the letter before the deadline. We strongly suggest that as applicants prepare their application materials, they also notify their recommender that they intend to apply for an SLA Graduate Student Summer Research and Write-Up Award and they will soon receive an e-mail with the link to upload a recommendation letter that is due by March 13, 2024.
  5. Prior awards/fellowship - A list of prior awards and fellowships received including (1) dates of such support and (2) the major accomplishments that were derived from that support. Students should also list other anticipated summer support. Those who have received past support from an SLA Graduate Student Summer Research and Write-Up must submit a copy of their progress report with their application.
  6. IRB approval/exemption notification - if applicable. All projects involving human subjects – e.g., ethnographic field observations, interviews, surveys, and so on - must either (1) have approval from the Tulane University Institutional Review Board (IRB) before issuance of an award or, (2) must affirm that the IRB has declared the research exempt from IRB review. Remember to allow sufficient time to complete IRB processing before the application deadline.

The SLA Graduate Student Summer Research and Write-up Award application deadline is March 13, 2024. Awards will be announced via e-mail by April 5, 2024. You will receive an e-mail when an award decision has been posted to your account.

Progress Report: Recipients of 2024 SLA Graduate Students Summer Research and Write-up Awards are required to submit a progress report that includes a brief, but informative summary of how the funds were used and the progress made on your research during the summer by October 31, 2024. First-time award recipients who do not submit a progress report by this deadline will not be eligible for a second Summer Research and Write-up Award.