Dean Rusk Grant Tips (2015-2016)

Process

  • Two grant application cycles
  • One in the fall for projects in the winter or spring
  • One in the spring for projects in the summer, fall, or full year
  • No seniors may apply in the spring
  • Deadlines:
  • October 23rd, 2015
  • February 2016
  • Decision made early November (fall cycle) or late March (spring cycle)

Recommendations/guidelines

  • Start Early: Good applications come from students who did research and have prep work in place before starting their in-country research
  • Build contacts to demonstrate that you’ve done substantial prep work and to demonstrate your invested interest in the project.
  • Talk to professors to help narrow and select your topic. Have them read your drafts.
  • Stop by the Grant Advisor’s office to talk about your ideas or show us your draft.
  • Grammar is important! A badly written proposal will be rejected.
  • Get all your forms completed
  • Application
  • Description of project
  • Detailed budget
  • Recommendations (if doing independent work)
  • Language evaluation (if applicable)
  • Go for as long as possible
  • Dean Rusk prefers longer independent projects and tends to give these more money
  • Unofficial minimums:
  • Fall cycle: 2 weeks
  • Spring cycle: 4 weeks
  • The longer you go, the higher percentage of your funding you are likely to get.
  • Make your proposal feasible:
  • Do not try to write a Ph.D. dissertation over the break (e.g. a broad topic like “Religion and Politics in Turkey”)
  • Talk with professors about a smaller aspect of a theme or topic you could explore
  • Makes sure your project and proposal are clear.
  • Professors from all backgrounds should understand your project and why it is so important to you.
  • Be specific!
  • Talk about places you will go and why these places are important
  • Mention specific people you will meet with and show transcripts of your correspondence (e.g. emails)
  • Dean Rusk rarely gives 100% of what you request
  • Think of outside sources of funding:
  • Chaplains office
  • Civic Engagement Office
  • Abernathy/Kemp/etc.
  • Request only what money you need. Be honest.
  • Dean Rusk does take financial aid into consideration, but its selection processes is based more on merit
  • BE ON TIME
  • Submit your application for a Dean Rusk Grant by 5:00 pm on the due date
  • We will not accept any late applications
  • Keep in mind that visa issues might arise. Do your research on the country to which you have proposed to go.

Writing Advice:

  • Edit and rewrite!
  • Use short and clear sentences
  • NO passive voice!
  • E.g. Write “I ate the soup” not “The soup was eaten by me”
  • Write your proposal like a newspaper article, not a research paper for class
  • Assume that the grant committee is skimming your proposal
  • Paragraph 1: What is your topic? Where will you conduct your project?
  • Paragraph 2: What will you do in your chosen country?
  • Paragraph 3: Why is this research important? How does it contribute to your development?
  • Final paragraph: This is how I will go about doing my proposed project…
  • Be specific: Who exactly will you contact? Where will you live, specifically? Which archives will you use? What contacts have you made that will facilitate your access to information?
  • The budget is an inexact science:
  • Includes: food, daily expenses, lodging and transport
  • Does not include: technology
  • Ask for the whole amount you need! Do not underestimate the total cost of your grant!

Miscellaneous tips from Dr. Alexander:

  • Why choose a research grant or internship/study abroad over a domestic internship? Because it demonstrates creativity and motivation to employers while going abroad.
  • Dean Rusk may open applications to non=research proposals (e.g. volunteering)
  • A good project needs specificity:
  • What do you want to learn more about and why?
  • Ask yourself “why” and “how” questions as you’re writing your application
  • E.g. How did ____ come to pass?
  • Think big and then narrow your big idea into a smaller, manageable topic.
  • A well-done, narrow topic (e.g. comparing religious to secular women’s rights movements in Tunisia) is better than a grandiose, yet hollow subject (e.g. human rights in Tunisia)
  • Make sure your grant’s timeframe is feasible and that you have the necessary skills (e.g. language) and methodology to carry out your proposal