Graduate College

The Graduate College
Â鶹´«Ã½
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5242 USA
(269) 387-8212

Graduate Student Research Grant

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Graduate Student Research Grants

Purpose

The Graduate Student Research Grants are established to support graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s engaged in independent scholarly research, scientific inquiry, inventive technology and artistic/creative activity. The intent of this funding is to support the Â鶹´«Ã½'s research, not the Â鶹´«Ã½ with a salary/stipend. WMU graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s may receive a maximum of two Research Grants, or two Travel Grants, or one of each grant type at these degree levels: master’s, specialist. Doctoral Â鶹´«Ã½s may receive a maximum of three Research Grants or Travel Grants, or a combination of both, up to three total. Because these are competitive grants, Â鶹´«Ã½s are eligible to receive up to the maximum allowed in their degree level, but these are not guaranteed awards for each Â鶹´«Ã½.

Note: The typing of theses, dissertations, and project paper, as well as the purchase of computers or supplies and equipment commonly provided by departments or by other existing grants or funds do not qualify as a legitimate budget expense under a GSRG.

Spring 2025 Deadline: Feb. 18 before 5 p.m.

The online application will open in early January.  Note: you must be a currently enrolled Â鶹´«Ã½ in the semester you apply. 

The online portal closes at 5 p.m. ET on day of the grant deadline. Submit well in advance to avoid missing the deadline due to technical issues.

Award Amount

Grants range up to $1,000

Eligibility

WMU graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s must be:

  1. Admitted to a graduate degree program 
  2. In good academic standing (3.0 GPA) 
  3. Enrolled in the semester that the application is made (one credit hour only if at dissertation/thesis hours) 
  4. The individual responsible for the research described in the project, but for the purposes of research compliance, listed as the Â鶹´«Ã½ investigator

Guidelines For the Application Process

  • Access the online application for the Graduate Student Research Grants in InfoReady (Check the deadline information above for the active link to the application or for details on when the link opens for the next award cycle)
  • Applicants are REQUIRED to have an advisor, or other faculty member familiar with your project, write a Letter of Support for your project and upload it in InfoReady (instructions will be emailed to the individual you identify as writing the Letter of Support). The letter must clearly address the following elements:
  1. Student's name 
  2. The purpose that the letter of support is for an application for a Graduate Student Research Grant 
  3. The significance of the project 
  4. The feasibility of completing it in the stated time frame with the requested resources 
  5. The applicant’s qualifications for carrying out the project. 
  6. Department fund and cost center number.

Future Award Deadlines

The Graduate Student Research Grant is offered once each in the fall and spring semesters during the academic year. There is not an award cycle in summer. 


Contact

If you have questions about the application process for this award, please contact Diana Berkshire-Hearit.