University of North Carolina Center for Global Initiatives

Purpose

These awards help get Ph.D. candidates into the field to do preliminary explorations of potential research materials/sites in preparation for writing a dissertation proposal. These awards will therefore not fund dissertation field research.

The ideal time to hold this award is after passing comprehensive exams and before defending the proposal. 

Eligibility

UNC Ph.D. students preparing to write a dissertation proposal are eligible to apply.

Restrictions

• Students proposing dissertation field research are NOT eligible.
• Students planning to take language training, attend conferences, or enroll in coursework are NOT eligible.
• Past winners of a Pre-Dissertation Travel Award are NOT eligible.
• Latin Americanists are NOT eligible because the Center for Global Initiatives supports the Institute for the Study of the Americas' Tinker Pre-Dissertation Field Research Grants Program.  Latin Americanists should therefore apply for a Tinker through ISA.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Available Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $25,000
Typical Range of Awards: $2,000 - $4,000
Typical Number of Awards: 7 
Typical Number of Applicants: 25

The Center for Global Initiatives is not bound by these estimates and is often unable to award the full amount of funds requested. Each award is made as a travel reimbursement.

Evaluation of Applicants

Reviewers assign points to each application based on the following rubric:

Need and Impact (max. 5 points)

• Is there a clear need for the applicant to receive this award at this point in his/her studies?

• With this award, will the student make significant progress toward completing a dissertation proposal and a subsequent dissertation?

Academic Merit and Intellectual Contribution (max. 5 points)

• Does the proposal clearly present an important research question and explain the theoretical and/or policy relevance of the work?

Feasibility and Methodology (max. 5 points)

• Is the research method and plan adequate and appropriate to achieve the student's expected goals?

• Does the student have the language and/or technical skills to carry out the proposed research?

Budget (max. 5 points)

• Is the budget clear, adequate, reasonable, and justified?

Notification of Award

Applicants will receive award or rejection notices 4-6 weeks after the deadline via email. 

Reporting Requirements

If you receive this award, you will be required to submit several interim and one final report at the end of your project using the Center for Global Initiative’s Online Reporting System. This system collects narratives and data about funded projects to enable the Center to determine whether its programmatic purposes are being met. In addition, several other research and service requirements will need to be met. The full requirements will be presented to you before you formally accept your award and receive the funds.

Application Instructions

Please write your proposal so that it is understandable to a broad audience of researchers.

Specific instructions and details are included as part of the online application.  The major parts are:

• Basic bio/demo data
• Current resume/C.V. 
• Current unofficial transcript (info)
• Brief academic timeline
• Project title and abstract
• Project narrative (1200-word maximum)
• Detailed budget
• Details on country and dates of proposed travel
• Project timeline
• Contact information for three references (letters should not be solicited)

Contact Information

Tripp Tuttle
Program Officer, Center for Global Initiatives