College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department
Small Grant Fund:
Clinical Research in Communication Disordered Populations
Grant applications are being accepted with a focus on research related to communicaiton disordered populations. The grant application is open to any department and submissions will be accepted through April 1, 2014.
Fund Goal. The purpose of this grant mechanism is to promote clinical research relevant to the assessment and/or treatment of client populations with communication disorders. Projects that specifically address issues concerning the methods and approaches used in service delivery and their outcomes will be given precedence.
Fund Allocation. Grants up to $8000 will be considered.
Funding Period. Studies must be completed and the funds expended within one year. Funds not expended as of the end date will revert to the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department.
Eligibility. Individuals holding faculty rank at the University of CT Storrs and regional campuses may apply for funding under this mechanism. Significant pilot work is eligible. The proposals must be for work yet to be initiated, and not for work currently in progress, although the proposed study may be related to another study in progress. Proposals must articulate specific, anticipated outcomes such as publication in highly regarded refereed journals and/or subsequent application for extramural research funding. Only one application per faculty member will be considered annually. There is no limit on the number of times a faculty member may be funded over multiple years.
Submission Deadlines. Grant applications may be submitted until April 1, 2014 for this grant cycle. Grant applications should be submitted in pdf format via e-mail to wendy.chase@uconn.edu.
Application Review. Grant applications will be reviewed by the University of Connecticut Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Clinical Grant Fund Committee.
Application Materials. A research narrative, abstract and budget must be submitted.
- Research Narrative. The research narrative should not exceed 1200 words. Use the headings suggested below to organize the narrative. Describe the proposed research project in sufficient detail. Proposals should be written for a more general audience of reviewers drawn from their general area but who are not necessarily experts on the proposed research problem. Use English only and avoid jargon. For acronyms not universally understood, spell out the term the first time it is used.
- Introduction. Clearly state the project to be undertaken, the specific aims, the rationale for the proposed work, and the research background with accompanying literature references.
- Methodology. Give a sufficiently detailed account of the methodology for answering the research questions(s) including the subjects, measurement techniques, instrumentation, data analysis, and evaluation procedures. Significance of the Research. Describe the potential impact of this study on the clinical needs of individuals with communication disorders. Describe the expected outcome of the research and how you plan to disseminate your findings (by publishing in a scholarly journal, presenting at a meeting, showing at an exhibit, etc.).
- Not part of the 1200 word limit.
- Abstract. Provide a concise description (250 word limit) of the research project’s specific aims, methodology and long term objectives, making reference to the scientific disciplines involved. Address the relation of the project to the assessment and/or treatment of a population with communication disorders.
- References. List the references used in your study in a style that is appropriate for your field.
- Proposed Budget. The budget is inclusive of direct costs and should not exceed the grant limit specified. Provide details with appropriate justification for each item using the following budget format:
- Research Personnel (Salary, wages, and fringe benefits). Funds may be requested to support personnel who are essential for conducting the research project, commonly graduate research assistants and student labor. The student’s name(s), if known, should be listed. List the specific duties of all key personnel named in the proposal to be hired describing the research to be undertaken. For current salary and fringe benefit rates, please see the links on the UCONN research website. Summer funding may be requested for junior faculty only and is capped at $2000 or no more than ½ the budget requested.
- Graduate Research Assistantships. If the project requires a greater level of expertise than hourly student labor, you may request funds for a graduate research assistantship. The maximum summer salary you may request for a graduate student, at all levels, is $2,000. Be sure to include fringe benefits.
- Student Labor. Student labor is paid on an hourly basis plus fringe benefits.
- Consultants and Other Off-Campus Assistance. Individuals who are not on the regular state payroll may be hired to perform special research-related tasks as needed. Such individuals are paid on an hourly basis, usually via Special Payroll.
- Equipment. Only equipment costs less than $1000.00 per item totaling $2000.00 or less, may be included in the budget. Justification for any equipment cost must be included.
- Supplies. List costs and justify each item or group of items necessary for the research.
- Domestic and Foreign Travel (Transportation and Per Diem). Include only travel that is necessary to conduct the research, NOT travel to present the results of research, or travel to explore future funding opportunities. Describe the relationship of the travel to the project and provide details such as method of transportation, destination(s), airfare, and estimated number of trips to each destination(s). Per diem may be included.
- Contractual Costs. Explain and justify all fees and charges for specialized services, such as library access fees, laboratory analysis fees, consultant fees, subject fees, etc.
- The following items cannot be requested: faculty, clerical or administrative personnel salaries, including personnel whose primary purpose is to explore funding sources and/or prepare grant applications with the exception of the junior faculty summer stipend as noted above; service/maintenance contracts on equipment; laboratory renovations or other infrastructure renovations; institutional memberships in professional organizations; travel to professional meetings to present the results of the research; travel to explore extramural funding opportunities; costs associated with the publication of results of the research, including page charges and purchase of reprints.
- Curriculum Vitae. Include your professional summary, including your most recent work relevant to the project proposed to a maximum of 2 pages.
- Appendices. Append material only when it is essential for adequate review of the proposal, e.g. subject questionnaire, price quote on items of equipment, letters of support for subject recruitment.
IRB Approval. Projects requiring IRB approval must submit documentation of such approval within 90 days following grant award notification.
Fund Management. Grant award funds will be transferred to the Kuali account of the recipient’s department and dispersed to the faculty member through the program assistant for the department.
Final Report. A final report is required within 60 days of project completion or within 14 months of grant approval, whichever is earlier. Reports should be submitted to wendy.chase@uconn.edu with pdf documents.
For more information, contact: Wendy Chase at wendy.chase@uconn.edu