GSRA Guidelines

The Office of Research is pleased to announce the Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) Program. The goal of the GSRA Program is to invest in a diversified portfolio of doctoral dissertation and master's thesis research that requires funding in excess of available academic program budgets.

Program Expectation

The goal of the GSRA Program is to invest in a diversified portfolio of doctoral dissertation and master’s thesis research projects.

Evaluation Criteria

• 30 points: Intellectual merit. Quality of the proposed research, justification for funding, clarity of goals, and overall significance.
• 30 points: Student Credentials. Expertise, experience, and capability to carry out the proposed work.
• 15 points: Budget. Appropriateness, justification and alignment with the project.
• 25 points: Letter of Support from Mentor/Research Advisor. Strength and relevance of mentor’s endorsement. Acknowledgement of the proposed project.

Eligibility

Applicants must have a graduate GPA of at least 3.25, and must have completed at least 34 credits of graduate work if enrolled in a doctoral program or at least 9 credits of graduate work if enrolled in a master's program. A student can receive no more than one GSRA as a master's student and no more than one GSRA as a doctoral student.

Award Terms and Conditions

The award period is 12 months and begins on May 15 following award notification. In addition to the general award terms and conditions, acceptance of a GSRA signifies the intent of the student to complete his or her graduate degree at Cleveland State University. No extension will be granted beyond the end of the 12 month award period.

Reporting Requirements

See general reporting requirements

Allowable Expenditures

GSRA grants are limited to $4,000 for doctoral students and $2,500 for master's students. Allowable expenditures include student salaries and fringes, consultant fees, equipment, travel to national meetings or conferences, supplies, and other direct costs. Up to 50% of the total budget may be allocated for student summer salary and fringes. The student's college will monitor the account for adherence to University accounting policies and practices. Over-expenditures will be charged to the college.

Application Guidelines

Proposals should be written in language that can be understood by non-specialists. Proposals should be written with 12-point font on letter-sized paper with one-inch margins, should consist of a single PDF, and should include the following sections. 

• Page 1: The GSRA cover page template is available here.
• Page 2: A maximum 200-word abstract of the proposed research.
• Page 3: Objectives of the proposed research.
• Page 4: Background and significance of the proposed research.
• Page 5: Procedures and methods of the proposed research.
• Page 6: Anticipated results of the proposed research.
• Page 7: Budget description, including: Detailed justification of all expenses and their relevance to the project. Explanation of any salary support requested, including current sources of support. Expected spending timeline.
• Page 8: Bibliographic references.
• Curriculum Vitae: Submit an abbreviated CV (maximum two pages). The CV must include the student’s technical knowledge, relevant experience, and research, scholar and creativity accomplishments.
• Letter of Support from Mentor/Research Advisor: A letter from the applicant’s research advisor must:
  1. State the date (or anticipated date) of the doctoral candidacy exam or master’s degree completion.
  2. Discuss the applicant’s credentials.
  3. Explain the significance of the proposed research and its benefit to CSU.
  4. Assess the likelihood of successful completion of the proposed research.
  5. Address the requested budget, confirming that:
     • The proposed budget is appropriate for the project.
     • Funds will be used on time.
     • No major deviations from the approved budget are expected.

Submit Application

When you are all finished preparing your GSRA proposal, use this online form to submit your application. You will receive an email confirmation after you successfully submit the form.

Timeline

See general guidelines