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 as trainees 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.
  • Student affiliates and postdoctoral affiliates who have not been formally admitted as PSC trainees are not eligible for these awards.

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Awards that are not commenced within the first year will be withdrawn, and the awardee may re-apply in the following grant cycle.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

The research proposal should be organized as follows:
  • Abstract/Project Summary (1 paragraph) – if the project is funded, the abstract will be made available on the PSC website.
  • Body of proposal (not to exceed two pages), which should include:
    • Description of proposed project or activity
    • Specific Aims
    • Expected outcomes/products (e.g. presentation at meetings, publications, proposal for outside funding of research)
    • Project significance to training and professional development. 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. 
    • Include names and affiliations of all collaborators
  • Plan of work with timeline (half page)
  • A detailed budget with line items for each expense (half page). See additional budget specifications below.
  • Predoctoral trainees are required to include a letter of endorsement supporting the project from their faculty mentor. Must be received by proposal deadline.
  • 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:
Awards may be granted up to $8,000, or lesser amounts, as determined by the review committee. 
 
Use simple budget categories, e.g., software, data sets, subject payments, travel, supplies. Applicant salary and/or fringe benefits and computers are not permitted. Special arrangements are required for purchase of software. Add budget notes for any category that is not discussed in the text of the proposal.
 
If awarded, funds must be expended only 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.
 
All proposals must be for future costs. If awarded, expenses accrued prior to award notification will not be funded.
 
We encourage applicants to also seek funding from other sources, please note other possible funding in the budget and identify which expenses/amounts will be covered by other sources.
 
Please direct questions to the Training Program Manager.

Browse past recipients of PSC Small Grant Awards.