SPARC: Support Program for Advancing Research and

Collaboration 

BROWN BAG INFORMATION SESSION

Thursday, September 12, 2013 

Presented by:Dr. Margaret McLaughlin, Associate Dean for Research and OutreachDr. Melanie Killen, Professor, HDQM

Goals of SPARC?

Primary goal is to assist students with the costs associated with completing their dissertation research.

Also, intended to give students experience in preparing a grant proposal and learning about the process of grant review and funding.

Doctoral student in good standing

Advanced to candidacy

Conducting research directly related to the dissertation

Who is eligible to receive a graduate SPARC award?

Graduate Student Research Award Application◦ A dissertation is an independent project in

collaboration with the advisor◦ Download ALL forms first and create a plan for the

proposal; contact your advisor, talk to your budget person

◦ Submit as complete a proposal as feasible Read the fine print!

◦ 3-5 page description Research topic, questions, hypotheses Design, methods, activities Contributions and career goals

Preparing a SPARC application

Required application materials Application Biosketch Template Budget Narrative Template Budget Template

SPARC Application Submission

NIH format (shortened CV) Geared for a faculty member; fill out what is

relevant for you Honors, awards; pack it in Positions: Graduate student research

assistantships, research positions Publications: papers under review; in press Conference papers Proofread!

Biosketch

List your reasonable expenditures and costs Consider everything; talk to other students

and your advisor Unanticipated costs arise so think it through

Travel to schools◦ Reimbursement to schools◦ Software licenses◦ Audio recorders or video equipment◦ Illustrator costs for stimuli◦ Workshop participation

Budget narrative

Clearly stated problem Methodology is robust and feasible Research is related to dissertation project Budget is reasonable and well justified Connection to career goals in higher

education and research

Scoring Sheet – What counts!

All applications are screened prior to review to ensure each application is complete and all requirements have been met.

Three faculty members, representing each

of the departments, independently review and evaluate all applications using a review form.  

SPARC Grant Review Process

Review committee meets and discusses each proposal and makes a final decision. ◦ OVERALL SCORE: 0 1 2 3 4 N/A ◦ proposal should be funded:◦ Definitely◦ Yes, but for a lesser amount $ ◦ Yes, if funds are still available after funding ◦ Yes, for this semester with minor revisions◦ No, but encourage resubmission◦ Not without major revision◦ Definitely not

SPARC Grant Review Process (Cont’d)

Committee decision and feedback is provided to Dr. Margaret McLaughlin, who prepares the award letters

If revisions are required, students may resubmit and the resubmission is reviewed by Dr. McLaughlin and/or selected members of the review committee

Awardee process –grant award letter, funds will be distributed directly into student account

SPARC Grant Review Process (cont’d)

Feedback is wonderful! Take a deep breath and exhale You learn from it and your research is

enhanced by it Work on the revisions in consultation with

your advisor You are launching your academic career Good luck!

How to respond to feedback

Good luck and happy writing!

SPARC website http://education.umd.edu/ResearchInfo/ResourceOpportunites/SPARC/index.html

Questions?