Small Grants for Training and Research: PSC Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Trainees

The Population Studies Center Small Grants Program supports predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees’ research and training activities. Funding is provided through endowments to the Center. Learn more about research and training activities supported by PSC endowments.

Applications are accepted via Interfolio annually from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.

Important dates:
January 15*: Call for proposals announced
February 15*, 11:59 p.m.: Due date for proposal submissions
March 15*: Announcement of awards
*Or the following business day, if this falls on a weekend.

Eligibility:

  • Only graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who actively participate in the PSC training program are eligible to apply. Please note the following exclusions:
  • Recipients who have not submitted final reports from prior years’ small grant projects are not eligible to apply for this year’s awards.
  • Trainees who are past-due on program requirements are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants are eligible to receive only one award through the Small Grants program within a calendar year.

Number of applications allowed: Only one application/project proposal per applicant accepted in a grant cycle.

Period of award: In general, projects should be designed to last approximately 12 months. Slightly longer periods may be accepted. Condensed project periods may also be accepted, particularly for applicants completing their PSC appointment in less than 12 months from the proposed project start date. Please address the reason for extended or condensed project periods in your project description and project timeline.

Post-award extensions may be granted for up to one additional year due to extenuating circumstances but must be approved at least 3 months in advance of the original deadline. Post-award extension requests should be submitted to the Training Program Manager ([email protected]) and must include a brief progress report including an updated budget and project timeline.

Awards that are not commenced within the first year will be withdrawn, and the awardee may re-apply in the following grant cycle.

IRB Requirements: No funds will be released until all IRB permissions are in place. Please plan accordingly so that the research may commence on time.

Availability of funds: Award amounts will vary. In most cases funds will be available upon proposed project start date, provided all regulatory requirements are in place. Awards are issued as reimbursements, unless other arrangements are specifically made in advance. Please allow 1 week for administrative processing.

Final Report: A final report (approximately 500 words) is required at the end of the period of research or training. This report should include a description of your activities, findings, products (e.g. papers, presentations, grant proposals) and future plans. In addition, you may be expected to report and discuss your findings in a meeting/talk with other researchers or with the sponsor of the endowment funding your award. All awarded small grant investigators should expect follow-up for routine data collection used in reporting on center grants and competing renewals.

Required Application Materials:

Description of proposed project or activity:

  • Research proposals should describe project significance, specific aims, plan of work, and expected outcomes/products (e.g., presentation at meetings, publication, and proposal for outside funding of research). The research proposal should not exceed two double-spaced pages (not including budget, project timeline or abstract). Include names and affiliations of all non-UM collaborators.
  • For training, conference/workshop attendance, and related activities, the description should include as much detail as possible, including trainers, trainees, date, location, and any special needs for facilities, equipment, local housing arrangements, etc. For details about courses offered through the SRC and ICPSR summer programs, see: http://isr.umich.edu/education/For training, conference/workshop attendance, and related activities, the description should include as much detail as possible, including trainers, trainees, date, location, and any special needs for facilities, equipment, local housing arrangements, etc. For details about courses offered through the SRC and ICPSR summer programs, see: http://isr.umich.edu/education/. Include a proposed project timeline.
  • Abstract/project summary (1 paragraph). If small grant is funded, project abstract will be made available publicly on the PSC website.
  • Predoctoral trainees are required to include a letter of endorsement supporting the project from their faculty mentor.
  • If your proposal is for a continuation of a previously awarded PSC small grant, a brief progress report including updated budget and project timeline is required.

Budget (attach 1/2 page):

Awards may be granted up to $8,000, or lesser amounts, as determined by the review committee. Use simple categories, e.g., software, data sets, subject payments, travel, supplies. Applicant salary and/or fringe benefits and computers are not permitted. Add budget notes for any category that is not discussed in the text of the proposal.

If awarded, funds must be expended within the categories included in the proposal budget. All budget modifications must be pre-approved. Budget modification requests can be submitted to the Training Program Manager ([email protected]).

All proposals must be for future costs. If awarded, expenses accrued prior to award notification will not be funded.

If funding for the project is also requested from other sources, please note this in the budget and identify which expenses/amounts will be covered by other sources.

Please direct questions to Angélica Avellaneda-Leiva.

Browse past recipients of PSC Small Grant Awards.