The UI College of Public Health’s Advancing Graduate Student Success Award program supports its academic and professional graduate students by providing funds for academic- and research-related activities associated with the student’s current degree program. This program is currently supported by The Sprince Zwerling Experiential Learning Fund and the Leeper Chen Fund.

Purpose

The program aims to help students enhance their learning beyond the classroom. Whether it’s collaborating with a mentor, presenting at a conference, or developing a research project, the possibilities are endless.

Eligibility

• Who Can Apply: All MHA, MPH, MS, and PhD students currently enrolled in a College of Public Health (CPH) degree program and in good academic standing.
• Undergrad to Grad (U2G) Students: MPH and MS students can apply before their bachelor’s degree conferral, provided the activity is related to their MPH or MS degree requirements.
• Resetting Eligibility: At each new stage of graduate training, the funding limit resets, and students are considered first-time applicants again. For example, a student who received funding while in the MS Epidemiology program can then apply for up to $2,000 as a PhD student in the Epidemiology program.
• Ineligible Applicants: Graduate students in non-CPH degree programs (e.g., Human Toxicology and other interdisciplinary studies) should seek funding from other sources.
• Ineligible Activities: Activities scheduled after graduation are not eligible for funding.
• Preference: First-time applicants are given preference.

Possible Uses of Funds

Here are some examples of how the funds can be used:

• Travel to collaborate with a mentor.
• Costs for community-based participatory research.
• Professional development (e.g., verbal and writing skills, project budget preparation, grant writing, presentation skills, workshops, innovative teaching skills).
• Travel to attend or present at a conference.
• Expenses for pre- and post-comp scholarly research activities.

This award program is a fantastic opportunity for graduate students to advance their academic and professional career goals.

Budget Limits and Other Guidelines

• Funding Limit: Students may apply for multiple or repeated awards over time not to exceed a total of $2,000; however, students may only apply once per academic year. Award amounts depend on available funds and may not cover the entire budget requested.

• Travel Funding Requests: Submit travel funding requests at least six weeks before your intended departure.

• Conference Travel: If applying for travel funds associated with a professional conference, budget limits for funding are as follows:
  • Presenting: $750 for domestic travel; $1,000 for international travel.
  • Attending but Not Presenting: $500 for domestic travel; $750 for international travel.
• Human Subjects Research: Provide information regarding the IRB approval status in your award application. AGSSA applications may be submitted prior to IRB approval; however, funds will not be disbursed until the IRB has approved the project.

Application Process

• When to Apply: There are four application cycles per academic year. Applications are due on September 15, December 1, February 15, and May 1. Requests can be submitted at any time and will be scheduled for review during the two-week period following the next available deadline.
• How to Apply: Complete the application by submitting a workflow form. The link to the form can be found below. Follow these guidelines for each section on the application form requiring a narrative response.
  • Description of Academic or Research-related Activity: Provide a detailed description of your activity, including goals, time frame, and expected outcomes.
  • Goals: Explain how this activity supports your academic and/or professional goals. Be specific.
  • Research Summary: Write a one-page summary of the purpose, aims, and methods of your research as it relates to this funding request. Note: this is only required for research-related funding requests.
  • Previous AGSSA Awards: Indicate if you have received this award before, including the date and amount.
  • Additional Sources of Funding: Demonstrate that you have sought other funding sources (e.g., university, collegiate, or departmental) and the outcomes of those applications.
  • Budget: Use the provided template to create an itemized budget of expected expenses. Attach the budget file to the workflow form.

• Endorsements of Request: Include a short paragraph (no more than one page) from a faculty member familiar with your activity. Attach it as a PDF. The department chair (DEO) will electronically endorse the form before it is reviewed by the award committee. Request endorsements at least one week before the application deadline. NOTE: If your application is associated with research related to a thesis (MS) or dissertation (PhD), then the faculty endorsement must be written by the committee chair.

NOTE: If your application is associated with research related to a thesis (MS) or dissertation (PhD), then the faculty endorsement must be written by the committee chair.

Post-Award Requirement

Provide a one-page description of how the award impacted your goals no later than 30 days following the completion of the activity for which funding is used. Send to Kathy Welsh.

Review Committee

The review committee consists of our five department chairs and the associate dean for academic affairs.

For answers to additional questions, contact the Kathy Welsh.