Research Advancement Award

The Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social at Kennesaw State University is pleased to announce the Research Advancement Award. This award is designed to help faculty advance their research program(s) to a level at which they are competitive for external funding. Faculty across all disciplines within the college are encouraged to apply. The award provides financial support for a broad range of scholarly activities, including creative projects, new and ongoing research, the development of grant proposals, and pilot research. 

Eligibility is limited to the college’s full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty. Recipients are expected to develop a research advancement project proposal that supports new and preliminary research or ongoing research.  In either case, the research for which faculty request funding must be linked with clear plans to submit subsequent and larger-scale external grant applications that seek federal, state, industry, or private foundation funding within six months of completing the award period. 

Faculty are invited to consider how this opportunity can support the launch or advancement of their creative and scholarly work, in any area represented within the college.

The Radow College Associate Dean for Research Office will provide mentorship and guidance throughout the award period.  The ADR Office will also assist with the preparation and submission of external grants resulting from the Research Advancement Award. 

    • Eligibility: Radow College full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty
    • Funding: Up to $12,500 over a one-year period 
    • Application: Proposals accepted on a rolling basis from September 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025. Submit applications via the InfoReady@KSUportal

  • The purpose of the Research Advancement Award is to empower faculty within the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences to elevate their research programs to a level that is competitive for external funding. By providing targeted financial support, expert mentorship, and structured guidance, the program will promote innovative research, facilitate the development and submission of competitive external grant applications, and accelerate the progress from preliminary research to large-scale, externally-funded research.  This award is designed to help researchers unlock new opportunities, advance their respective field, and enhance the college’s overall research profile and impact.

    • Applicants must be tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the Radow College
    • Studies supported by these funds may be individual efforts (the PI-only) or collaborative projects. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with faculty from outside Radow College, but only Radow College faculty are eligible to receive funding.
    • Faculty may receive a Radow College Research Advancement Award concurrently with other internal funding mechanisms but may not use it for the same funded project. This distinction must be addressed and acknowledged in the application’s narrative.
    • There is a limit of one (1) award per faculty member per fiscal year.

  • The Research Advancement Award is using the InfoReady@KSU portal for all submissions.

    The application should be submitted in an MS-Word compatible format using double-spaced 12-point fonts and 1” margins all around. Each Roman-numerated section should begin on a new page. Proposals that do not meet the formatting expectations will be returned unreviewed.

    1. Cover Page: Project title, name(s) of principal investigator(s), department/school(s), contact information.
    2. Abstract (1 page max): Describe: (1) primary objectives of the research project; (2) the significance of the project/activity; and (3) key deliverables.
    3. Project Narrative (3 pages max): The narrative should include the following in clearly identifiable sections.
      1. Background and Significance Section:
        What is the project? Why is the project significant or important? What is the research question? Does it address a gap in the literature? Include a brief statement on current approaches to the topic, identify existing challenges or limitations of the current approaches, and explain how the proposed research addresses those challenges.
      2. Statement of Objectives: What do you plan to achieve through your proposed research? Explain the objective of your project. Avoiding unnecessary jargon, identify and explain the methodological approach and anticipated results.
    4. Selected Bibliography (1 page max).
    5. Budget with Justification. Explain how funds will be used. List major equipment and materials to be purchased and justify why they are necessary to conduct the proposed project. All major equipment requests must be approved by the Senior Associate Dean.  Explain why travel funds are necessary to meet project objectives and will be used to directly support the conduct of the project. (see Application Template)
    6. CV or Biographical Sketch(es) (@ 2 pages max): Each PI should provide a current CV or biographical sketch.  Applicants are encouraged to follow NSF or NIH format.  A one-page summary of other key personnel may also be included (see Application Template).
    7. Plans for Obtaining Extramural Funding (1 page max):  Clearly describe your plans to secure extramural funding following the completion of your planned research.  This plan should include:  1) the name(s) of potential funding agencies (include URLs); 2) title of the funding program; 3) a description of how your project relates to the RFP or program’s goals; 4) an estimate of the amount of funding you plan to request from the agency/foundation; and 5) a description of any interactions you have had with one or more of the granting agencies (if applicable).  
    8. Statement on Human Subjects: All research involving human subjects must have IRB approval prior to the conduct of any proposed research.  No funds will be disbursed to the study team for the planned research until IRB approval is obtained. 

    NOTE: Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and awards offered until the available funding has been exhausted.

  • Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of: 

    Project Feasibility; Intellectual Merit; Clarity of Objectives and Significance, Methods, Anticipated Results; Reasonableness of Costs; Qualifications of Key Personnel, including familiarity with the relevant literature, data, and methods to be used. 

    Special consideration will be given to the potential for outputs to serve as the foundation for a larger-scale, externally funded project.

  • Criterion Description Score (1=Exceptional, 9=Poor)
    Significance Addresses a significant problem or gap. Potential to meaningfully advance the field or have broad impact. 1-9
    Innovation Incorporates novel ideas, concepts, or techniques. Demonstrates originality and creativity in approach. 1-9
    Approach & Feasibility Methods are appropriate and well-developed. Project is feasible, clearly described, and realistic in scope and timeline. 1-9
    Investigator(s) & Expertise Applicant (and team, if applicable) has the expertise and experience required to succeed. Prior accomplishments and relevant skills considered. 1-9
    Environment & Resources The institutional and departmental environment, mentorship, and available resources support the project's success. 1-9
    Alignment with Program Goals Project aligns strongly with the objectives of this award, especially in preparing for external funding. 1-9
    Potential for External Funding Clear and compelling plan for pursuing subsequent external grant applications. Strong likelihood of generating a competitive submission. 1-9
    Budget & Justfication Budget is reasonable, well-justified, and appropriate for project activities. 1-9
    Mentorship and Researcher Development Well-developed plan for active mentorship and/or professional development. Activities support advancement and skills growth toward independence. 1-9

    1-9 Scale Scoring Guide:

    • 1: Exceptional
    • 2: Outstanding
    • 3: Excellent
    • 4: Very Good
    • 5: Good
    • 6: Satisfactory
    • 7: Fair
    • 8: Marginal
    • 9: Poor

  • Awardees must submit a written plan for encumbering/spending funds to RCHSSresearch@kennesaw.edu within 14 days of receiving the award. Failure to submit a spending plan within the 14-day window risks having the funds reclaimed by the college.  

    Applications cannot exceed $12,500 (total).    

    • Examples of acceptable uses of funds include: (1) payment of participant incentives; (2) data collection costs (e.g. travel for archival research or oral history collection, Qualtrics data collection software) (3) cost of certification in research-related professional development (e.g. qualitative methodologies, phenomenological approaches (to examine meaning and value),  (4) purchase of small datasets to conduct data analyses; and (5) Dissemination costs (e.g. open access fees). Financial support for students is limited and will be evaluated in relation to the proposed use of funds.
    • Funds can be used for equipment, materials, and technology purchases essential to the project. Any equipment purchased will be the property of the college upon completion of the project. 
    • Funds can be used for travel to undertake project-related research, including flights, mileage, lodging, per diems, or other eligible costs.   Funds can be used to attend conferences or other destinations for data gathering and research dissemination purposes. All USG/KSU Travel rules apply (https://www.kennesaw.edu/fiscal-services/procurement-payment-services/travel/frequently-asked-questions.php).
    • Funds cannot be used for faculty summer salaries or to secure course reassignments during fall or spring semesters.

    NOTE: All award funds must be expensed during the 2025 – 2026 fiscal year and must observe Radow College year-end purchasing deadlines (many of which are May 1, 2026).

    • An “End of Year” report is due by June 30, 2026. 
    • The report should be completed using the Year-End-Report Template distributed through InfoReady.
    • The report shall include proof of proposal submission to an extramural funding agency.  If the investigator has not submitted a grant proposal by the report date, the investigator should provide a clear timeline for submission. 
    • A project cannot be “closed” until the report has been received.  An investigator with an “open” project is not eligible for additional Radow College research funding.

  • Template for Proposal, Budget and Justification, and Sample Deliverables

    Award Application Template