MT Internal Grant Opportunities (MT-IGO*) FAQs
(*Formerly known as FRCAC)
If your questions are not answered below, please contact the MT-IGO Program Manager, Dr. Jamie Burriss.
Types of Grants
What type of grants does the MT-IGO program fund?
MT-IGO offers opportunities in the fields of research and creative activities. For a detailed description of each, please visit the MT-IGO Type of Grants page.
What are the award type "tiers"?
MT-IGO awards are intended to provide seed funding for tenured and tenure-track faculty in the preliminary stages of a larger research or creative activity agenda or program.
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Tier I - Intended for research and creative activity projects in preparation to compete for successive external funding to support the continuation and amplification of scholarship. These projects align to external funding sources upon completion. Max budget request = $10,000. *To qualify for this level of funding, please identify one or more external sponsors and programs to which you will apply upon the completion of your MT-IGO project.
- Tier II - Intended for research or creative activity that currently do not have the potential for external funding but advance scholarship in the faculty member's field or provide innovative opportunities for faculty and student engagement in scholarly activity. Max budget request = $8,500. *To qualify for this level of funding, applicants must acknowledge they have created a GrantFoward account, utilized GrantForward to search for potential external funding sources aligned to their project, and were unable to locate applicable funding. Additionally, applicants must specify one or more measurable outcomes related to their project (examples: manuscript, book chapter, performance, exhibit, Fulbright, or other scholarly dissemination).
Application and Proposal Guidelines
- MT-IGO offers a complete webpage dedicated to supporting applicants in the application and proposal process. Please visit the MT-IGO Application and Proposal Guidelines page for information, examples, and resources.
What are the required components when applying for a MT-IGO grant?
There are two components required: (1) an application, and (2) the proposal.
What if I need additional support?
ORSP is reserving office hours to answer questions for fall applicants.
- Thursday, September 2nd, 9:00-11:00 am
- Thursday, September 9th, 9:00-11:00 am and 12:00-2:00 pm
Jamie Burriss, Ph.D. |
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Project Manager |
(615) 494-7669 |
Jamie.Burriss@mtsu.edu |
What is an MT-IGO cycle and when are the deadlines?
The program has two grant-making cycles per year, in September and March. However, the March submission is reserved for those applicants who were not funded in September and wish to resubmit their proposal after revision based on committee evaluation.
Fall Session |
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Start Date: August 15, 2021
Deadline: September 15, 2021 by 4:30 pm - CLOSED
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Research funds for 2021/22
Summer Stipend for 2022
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Spring Session - By invitation only |
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Start Date: January 15, 2022
Deadline: March 15, 2022 by 4:30pm - CLOSED
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Research funds for 2021/22
Summer Stipend for 2022
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Forms and Documents
How do I apply for a MT-IGO grant opportunity?
Complete and submit an MT-IGO Grant Application. You will need the following information to complete the application: contact information of the PI, Co-PI (if applicable), Chair and Dean, project summary, proposal budget and justification, PDF upload of proposal. For detailed information please visit the MT-IGO Application and Proposal Guidelines page.
What other documents may be needed?
- IRB/IACUC approval notice(s) issued by the Office of Compliance
- IRB/IACUC Status Form
- Travel Authorizations
- Quotes from vendors for supplies & equipment - attach to the application packet
- MT-IGO Award Acceptance Form
Are there any forms or documents required upon completion of my MT-IGO project?
Upon completion of your MT-IGO project a MT-IGO Final Report Questionnaire** must be submitted within 60 days.
**use for prior FRCAC award reporting
Criteria used in Evaluating Proposals
What is the review process?
MT-IGO adopts a two-step review process to enable individual review by a specialists as well as holistic review which is conducted by the committee. The final determination of the proposals recommended for funding will be informed by individual reviews and the panel summary.
What criteria is used in the evaluation?
Once assigned to a proposal(s), the committee members review them in accordance with the scoring rubric. If the PI is an established researcher, such as tenured faculty or full professor, then the reviewers will also evaluate if the proposal offers a new direction in comparison to the applicant’s ongoing studies. Subsequently, the reviewers will also evaluate the feasibility of the study's specific aims within the projected timeline and available resources. The qualification and expertise of the PI to lead and succeed will also be critically evaluated. Most importantly, the reviewers will consider if the study has the potential to lend to a competitive proposal for external funding and to extend the scope and reach of the research agenda.
- For more information, please visit the MT-IGO Proposal Review page.
Eligibility
What is the criteria for MT-IGO eligibility?
MT-IGO applicants must:
- Be regular full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty at MTSU.
- Have received fewer than two previous MT-IGO grants*.
- Have submitted final reports for any previous MT-IGO-funded activity.
- Have not received a MT-IGO grant* in the past five years.
*including FRCAC grant(s)
Budget Guidelines
- MT-IGO offers a complete webpage dedicated to supporting applicants in the budget preparation process. Please visit the MT-IGO Budget Guidelines page* for information, examples, and resources.
When is a proposal budget necessary?
This section is required if the PI is requesting funding for any of the following:
- Senior/Key Personnel
- Other Personnel such as a student worker, graduate assistant, transcriptionist, etc.
- Equipment over $500
- Travel including mileage/flight, lodging, per diem
- Operational Costs such as supplies/materials, publication fees, consultant fees, etc.
If the project involves multiple PIs, do we each receive a full stipend?
No, if a project contains multiple PI’s, only one stipend may be split between the PIs.
Responsibilities and Expectations
What are the responsibilities and expectations for a MT-IGO recipient?
- Follow all University procedures in connection with the proper and timely disbursement and accounting of funds and the completion of the necessary paperwork. Manage transactions and keep up with account balances.
- Complete and submit an acceptance letter within 30 days from the issuance of the award notification.
- Submit a formal petition to MT-IGO if addition time is required to complete the project.
- Immediately submit changes or revisions that require budgetary changes to MT-IGO.
- Recipients must submit a final report within 60 days of the project's completion.
- Acknowledge funding by the MT Internal Grant Opportunities (MT-IGO) program on articles submitted for publication and/or presentations of creative works.
- Follow intellectual property guidelines (see MTSU's IP Policy).
ING Building, Garden Level
Program Manager:
Dr. Jamie Burriss
Jamie.Burriss@mtsu.edu
615-494-7669