1. “SPARC” Support Program for Advancing Research and Collaboration
Funding your dissertation research
“SPARC”
Support Program for Advancing Research and Collaboration
Webinar
October 5, 2017
noon- 1 PM
Presented by:
Dr. Margaret McLaughlin, Associate Dean

2. 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.

3. Who is eligible to receive a graduate SPARC award?
Doctoral student in good standing
Advanced to candidacy
Conducting research directly related to the dissertation

4. Preparing a SPARC application
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 and contact your advisor
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

5. SPARC Application Submission
Required application materials
Application
Biosketch Template
Budget Narrative Template
Budget Template

6. Biosketch 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!

7. Budget narrative 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

8. Scoring Sheet – What counts!
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

9. SPARC Grant Review Process
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.  
those not meeting pre-review requirements may be disqualified from cycle.

10. SPARC Grant Review Process (Cont’d)
Review committee meets and discusses each proposal and makes a final decision.
Ratings: Problematic Or Missing, Good but needs work, Great/ Well-done
1) Application clearly states the problem to be addressed
2) The research questions: a) clearly stated,
b) reasonable given the project’s timeframe
3) The expected outcomes: a) clearly stated, b) reasonable given project’s time frame
4) The research methodology is clear.
5) The proposed research is related to: a) Dissertation/theses, b) Career goals
6) The Budget: a) Is clear and, b) reasonable Justifies each cost item
Proposal should be funded:
Funded at the requested level
Funded, but for a lesser amount
Revised and Resubmit
Do not fund

11. 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

12. How to respond to feedback
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!

13. Questions? Good luck and happy writing! SPARC website
Questions?
Good luck and happy writing!
SPARC website
lamp.aws.umd.edu/sparc-support-program- advancing-research-and-collaboration
Contact Judy Foster with any questions