The School of Communication Faculty Research Micro-Grant Program offers grants for materials and supplies to tenured, research and professor-in-practice faculty at the associate rank and above, in any field of study. Deadline: Rolling during the academic year (August – May). The SoC Research & Creative Support and Services committee will review applications on a rolling basis and until the funds are depleted.

Criteria Used for Consideration of Support: Research, or creative activity that leads to the production of new knowledge; to increased problem solving capabilities, including design and analysis; to original, critical or historical theory and interpretation; or to the production of original creative work.

Maximum Award is $500. Only one award per faculty member/per semester. Maximum of two awards per faculty member/per academic year. Award must be expensed within the academic semester in which it was awarded.

Allowable Costs

  • Specialized software and databases, computer peripherals, and data collection costs

  • Capital equipment, research equipment, materials and supplies. Note: equipment purchased with micro-grant funding is property of the School.

  • Student support for research purposes

  • Payments to individuals for services are allowable, though not eligible as reimbursement.

  • Business related postal or shipping charges

Non-Allowable Costs

  • Faculty salary

  • Travel

  • Magazine or organization subscription/membership

  • Conference registration fees

  • Meals

  • Legal fees

  • Retroactive charges for expenditures incurred prior to the review and approval of the award.

Application

Application form signed that includes:

  1. Short one-line description of research activity (50 words)
  2. A short proposal narrative that includes: a clear and concise statement of the nature and objectives of the research activity, written for a multi-disciplinary audience. The first paragraph should summarize why the specific funds are needed for the research and how much is being requested (maximum request is $500). If you are conducting research that requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, be sure to indicate whether your project procedures have been approved.
  3. A short budget narrative that provides a detailed explanation of each item. When possible, be sure to include the source (vendor) of supplies.

Submit form as one single .PDF to comresearch@miami.edu

Agreement

By accepting a micro-grant, you agree to:

  • Participate in all SoC research events, including but not limited to, the SoC Research Day

  • Complete all surveys connected to SoC Research

  • Follow human subjects guidelines. Visit: hsro.med.miami.edu for instructions.

  • Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in ineligibility for future awards.