Internal Education Fund FAQ's
Q: When are the 2007-2008 Category B IEF proposal deadlines?
A: There are three rounds of IEF proposals for the fiscal year 2007-2008. The deadlines are May 17 and Oct. 1, 2007, and Jan. 31, 2008. Proposals are due by 4:00 PM to Barb Tricozzi in Science & Engineering S-100. The Committee will consider proposals that are submitted at other times, but generally only if the situation is such that immediate action seems necessary. The first deadline for the 2008-2009 IEF proposals will be Thurs., May 15, 2008.
Q.: Can Arts students apply for IEF funding? Can Humanities students apply for IEF funding? Can Social Sciences students apply for IEF funding? Can Science students apply for IEF funding? Can Engineering and Computer Science students apply for IEF funding? Can Interdisciplinary majors and Organizing Theme majors apply for IEF funding?
A: Yes. IEF funds student projects from all academic departments and programs on campus.
Q.: What is the maximum amount of IEF funding I can obtain?
A.: The maximum IEF student grant amount is $1000 for a single-student project; however, very few students are funded at that level. (In the 2005-6 round of IEF grants, there were more than 100 student projects funded, with award amounts ranging from $21 to $1000; only five students were granted $1000.) A realistic target amount for many student projects is in the $300-500 range.
Q: Can I ask for partial funding of a project through IEF?
A: Yes. Include the full budget with your proposal, and indicate clearly on both the cover sheet and on the budget page how much IEF funding is requested.
Q:Do I really have to type (word-process) my IEF proposal?
A: Yes. The IEF committee will not fund handwritten proposals.
Q: Does IEF fund books? Does IEF fund software?
A: Generally, no. The IEF committee expects that students will incur some expenses associated with their projects (charges for small amounts of photocopying, phone calls, travel costs, art supplies, books, notebooks, tape recorders, subject fees, software, etc.), just as they would when taking a more "traditional" course (books, notebooks, calculators, stationery supplies, software, lab goggles, etc.). If books and/or software are included in a student IEF proposal request, there should be very clear justification provided in both the proposal and the faculty letter of support.
Q: Can I use IEF funds to purchase a camera or a tape recorder?
A: No. The IEF committee expects that students will incur some expenses associated with their projects (charges for small amounts of photocopying, phone calls, travel costs, art supplies, books, notebooks, tape recorders, subject fees, software, etc.), just as they would when taking a more "traditional" course (books, notebooks, calculators, stationery supplies, software, lab goggles, etc.).
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for photocopying costs?
A: Yes and no. IEF will fund large amounts of photocopying ($0.04/page for amounts over $50), generally associated with surveys and mailings. IEF will not provide funds for photocopying articles for research. The IEF committee expects that students will incur some expenses associated with their projects (charges for small amounts of photocopying, phone calls, travel costs, art supplies, books, notebooks, tape recorders, subject fees, software, etc.), just as they would when taking a more "traditional" course (books, notebooks, calculators, stationery supplies, software, lab goggles, etc.).
Q: I will have to drive to Albany/Troy/throughout Schenectady for my project. Can I request gas money from IEF?
A: No. IEF does not fund any local travel.
Q: I’m not exactly sure what I’ll need for my project. Can I add a budget line for unspecified office, art or laboratory “supplies”?
A: No. IEF does not fund any “miscellaneous” expenses. Your proposed budget must be detailed and thorough.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for research related to a course, but performed during a break (December, spring, summer) in the academic year?
A: Yes.
Q: If I’m going to be working on my IEF project during a break (December, spring, summer) in the academic year, can I include a stipend for myself in my IEF budget?
A: No.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding of subject fees for other Union students who will participate as subjects in my project?
A: Yes. There should be very clear justification provided in both the proposal and the faculty letter of support for such an expense, and the proposed fee amount should follow departmental guidelines. Note that projects involving human subjects must undergo approval by the Human Subjects Committee.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for a major assignment (such as a term paper) in one of my courses?
A: No. IEF funds only those student research projects associated with a research or project course for which the student will receive academic credit. This includes senior theses/projects, sophomore Scholars projects, and independent studies.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for a project undertaken independently of Union?
A: No. IEF funds only those student research projects associated with a research or project course for which the student will receive academic credit. This includes senior theses/projects, sophomore Scholars projects, and independent studies. IEF does not fund tuition at Union or at other institutions (including workshops and seminars).
Q: What is “per diem”?
A: An allowance for daily expenses incurred while traveling. This includes food and lodging. The student per diem rate is $100 per day for up to three (3) days and $50 per day for up to four (4) additional days. No more than 7 days ($500) per diem will be funded; and in most cases fewer than 7 days per diem will be allotted.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for travel to do research abroad?
A: Yes, if you follow the IEF travel guidelines. Students are expected to pay 20% of travel costs (plane, train, bus tickets, etc.) and to follow per diem guidelines for lodging and meal expenses. Note that any student traveling abroad for a Union-College-related reason must complete some paperwork (legal release form, etc.) in the International Programs office (Humanities 211) prior to departure. Union College does not give academic credit or funding, from any College-related source, for work that involves travel to any country for which the US State Department has issued a Travel Warning.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for travel to my term abroad?
A: No.
Q: Can I apply for IEF funding for travel to or participation in one of Union’s mini-terms?
A: No.
Q: If I apply for and receive an IEF grant in the Spring term, when will my IEF funds be available?
A: From July 1 (the start of Union’s fiscal year) until early June.
Q: If I apply for and receive an IEF grant in the Fall term, when will my IEF funds be available?
A: From late in the Fall term (early November) until early June.
Q: If I apply for and receive an IEF grant in the Winter term, when will my IEF funds be available?
A: From late in the Winter term (early March) until early June.
Q: If I am seeking funding for a Fall-term project, when should I apply?
A: Spring term of the previous academic year.
Q: If I am seeking funding for a Winter-term project, when should I apply?
A: Fall term or, if you’re really organized, Spring term of the previous academic year.
Q: If I am seeking funding for a Spring-term project, when should I apply?
A: Winter term or, if you’re really organized, Fall term.
Q: If I am seeking funding for a project I will start over the summer, and continue (for credit) in the Fall, when should I apply?
A: Spring term only. Grants awarded in the Fall and Winter rounds end in early June.
Q: I am seeking funding for my Fall/Winter (two-term) senior thesis/project or sophomore Scholars project. When should I apply for IEF funding?
A: Spring term of the previous academic year or Fall term. If you have a very good idea of the goals of your project and how you will achieve those goals (including a detailed budget), then apply in the Spring of the previous academic year. That way, you would have access to funding for the duration of your project. However, many students do not work out those details before beginning a project. In that case, a Fall-term proposal would be best.
Q: I am seeking funding for my Winter/Spring (two-term) senior thesis/project or sophomore Scholars project. When should I apply for IEF funding?
A: In Fall or Winter term. If you have a very good idea of the goals of your project and how you will achieve those goals (including a detailed budget), then apply in the Fall. That way, you would have access to funding for the duration of your project. However, many students do not work out those details before beginning a project. In that case, a Winter-term proposal would be best.