Watson Institute at Brown University
Public Policy

New Research Grant Initiative for Senior Theses and Capstone Projects

October 12, 2017

Students in Joukowsky Forum

The Public Policy concentration and the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy are pleased to announce a new Research Grant Initiative to support undergraduates working on senior theses and capstone projects within the Public Policy concentration.

Awards can be used to support travel, supplies, fees, data collection, and other research-related costs associated with writing senior theses or completing capstone projects, and that are eligible for University reimbursement. The maximum amount to be awarded is $500. Actual amounts awarded will be based on the availability of funds and may be less than budget requests. Awards will be determined twice during the academic year.

Applications for the first round of grants for the 2017/2018 academic year are due by midnight, Monday, October 30, 2017. Fall awards will be determined by November 15. Spring applications are due midnight, Friday, March 3, 2018 and will be determined by April 1. Grant recipients may receive only one award from this initiative. Late applications will not be accepted.

Proposals should be emailed to Melissa Nicholaus at melissa_nicholaus@brown.edu with the subject line “Public Policy Grants Application” followed by the applicant’s last name. Applications must include:

Name and Project Title
Expected Project Completion Date
Semester for Grant Award (Fall or Spring)
Primary Advisor for the project
Second Concentration, if any

  1. Origins, Purpose, and Importance of the Project

    In 250 words or less, please describe the origins, purpose, and the importance of the project for you, for scholarship, and for the larger community.

  2. Work to be conducted with the support of the award

    In 250 words or less, please describe the work that you have already carried out for the project and the specific research activities that the award would support to further its completion. If your work entails surveys, interviews, or focus groups please indicate what steps you have taken to fulfill the Universities requirements for training in the Responsible Conduct of Research.

  3. Detailed Budget of the Project’s Total Cost

    Please present a detailed budget for the entire project broken down by activity, including the total costs of the project, the costs that you have already incurred, costs to be covered by this award, and costs to be covered by other grants that you many have applied for, or have already received. Please list other sources of funding you have received or have applied for to support this project.