Graduate and Undergraduate Mini-grant Program

The Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues invites UC Berkeley graduate and undergraduate students to apply for grants to assist with the development of student research projects on issues affecting Native American communities in the U.S. today.

Eligibility

Full-time UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students who are conducting individual research projects on issues affecting Native American communities in the U.S. are eligible to apply.  Proposals that support undergraduate thesis or graduate dissertation research are strongly encouraged.  Undergraduates may apply for grants up to $500.  Graduate students may apply for grants up to $1,000.

Grant Period and Use of Funds

Applications will be reviewed and grants will be awarded in early November 2012.  Funds must be used by October 1, 2013.  Any unused funds will be retained by the Center.  Funds may be used only to pay direct costs related to the proposed project, such as travel to research sites, research supplies, photocopying, transcription services, and equipment rental.  Funds may not be used for equipment purchases, stipends, living expenses, conference attendance or educational travel.  Grant payments will be made in the form of reimbursement for expenses.  

Requirements

All students must work with a faculty mentor.  (Faculty mentors may include Lecturers and other non-Senate Academic Staff.) The student’s mentor must commit to supporting and advising the applicant throughout the research project. 

Students must submit a final report no later than November 1, 2013 containing an itemized expense report, a statement of what was accomplished, and a list of papers and/or publications that directly or indirectly result from the grant. 

Application Process

Applications are due on Friday, October 19, 2012 by 4:00pm at the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues (see address below).  Late applications will not be considered. All applications must include the following materials: (Incomplete applications will not be considered.)

• Applicant Information and Agreement Form (Section I)

• 250-word Abstract of the project (Section II)

• Project Description (Section III):  The project description should be no more than 1,000 words. It should include a description of the problem being studied, the research question and hypotheses, a description of the research methodology, and the contribution the research will make to Native American communities in the U.S. today.

• Budget and Explanation of Budget (Section IV)

• Project Timeline (Section V)

• Protection of Human Subjects Compliance (Section VI)

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumé (Section VII)

• Signed Mentor Agreement Form (Section VIII)

Please send one copy of your application materials to:

Dr. Deborah Lustig

Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues

Institute for the Study of Societal Issues

2420 Bowditch Street, MC 5670

University of California

Berkeley, CA  94720-5670

To download an application, click here.