College of the Sciences and Mathematics Funding Opportunities
Each year, the College of the Sciences and Mathematics provides funding opportunities for a variety of activities from student-involved scholarly activities to student engagement and faculty development. To allow faculty to plan for these opportunities, we provide the following cycle for our grant programs moving forward, subject to funding availability.
Research in Mathematics and Sciences (RIMS)
The purpose of the RIMS Award is to support and encourage student-involved scholarly research by the College of the Sciences and Mathematics faculty. The maximum award is typically $4,000-$6,000, which can be used for a variety of purposes.
Typical Timeline
Call for proposals: Early February
Deadline: Late March/Early April
Award notifications: Late April
Example of Past RFP
*** Applicants are responsible for following the most recent RFP when submitting proposals as guidelines and submissions processes may have changed. The CSM Dean’s Office is not responsible for proposals submitted using outdated processes or for proposals which do not follow the most current guidelines.
Select Funded Proposals
AY 2022-2023
- L. Brumley, "Leveraging Federal Data to Meet Student Dissertation Needs." $3,995.
- K. Kolasinski, "Controlling the Surface Chemistry of Porous Silicon for Biomedical Applications." $4,000.
- S. McQueen, "Let’s Talk About It: Cultivating Dialogue and Expression in the Classroom." $2,850.
- S. Pfeil, "Is NMM, an important probe of G-Quadruplex DNA, a dimer in solution?" $3,997.
Student and Community Engagement Award (SCEA)
In alignment with WCU’s strategic plan and the College of the Sciences and Mathematics Center for STEM Inclusion, SCEA funds support projects that increase student engagement through experiential, high-impact learning opportunities as well as, projects that build connections with campus and/or community partners. The maximum award is typically $6,000.
Typical Timeline
Call for proposals: Early February
Deadline: Late March/Early April
Award notifications: Late April
Example of Past RFP
Select Funded Proposals
AY 2022-2023
- L. Brumley & S. Grassetti, “Applied Community-based Clinical Experiences through Service Learning in Schools (Project ACCESS).” $3,999.
- L. Cui, "Closing the Gender Gap in Computer Science." $4,000.
- M. Fork, "Place-based research on environmental change: A Goose Creek research internship to increase research access, STEM identity, and career readiness." $4,000.
- P. Loedel, "European Union Simulation Program." $3,987.
General Student Technology Fee Funds (Tech Fee)
The purposes of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Technology Fee are:
- to acquire, install, and maintain up-to-date and emerging technologies for the purpose of enhancing student-learning outcomes;
- to provide equitable access to technology resources; and
- to ensure, ultimately, that State System graduates are competitive in the technologically sophisticated workplace.
All hardware, software, databases, and other capital equipment procured with these revenues are strictly limited to clearly articulate learning experiences for students.
Typical Timeline
Call for proposals: Spring semester
Deadline: Spring semester
Award notifications: Summer
Scope
The following is a list of activities that are eligible for funding. This list is meant to spark your thinking; it is not meant to be exhaustive or limiting:
- Faculty professional development funds to design a high-impact learning experience for students.
- Faculty professional development funds to study/analyze an area of concern in a course, pedagogical approach, curriculum design, etc. related to student success.
- Stipends for students to participate in research projects or internships during the academic year or summer.
- Funds for equipment, supplies, or other materials* for a research or creative project that involves students and/or community partners.
- Creating bridges with community organizations, including K-12 schools and community colleges.
- Collaborations between academic affairs, student affairs, and/or undergraduate services (e.g., student organizations, residence life, service learning, tutoring).
Priority will be given to projects or activities that serve WCU students, especially underrepresented students of color and other historically underserved populations, including potentially underserved populations like transfer students, non-traditional students, international students, veterans, etc.
Tech Fee Example of Past Application
*** Applicants are responsible for following the most recent RFP when submitting proposals as guidelines and submissions processes may have changed. The CSM Dean’s Office is not responsible for proposals submitted using outdated processes or for proposals which do not follow the most current guidelines.
Research Alternate Workload Assignment (RAWA)
The purpose of the Research AWA program is to support and encourage scholarly research by the College of the Sciences and Mathematics faculty. The maximum award is three credits AWA.
Typical Timeline
Call for proposals: Mid August
Deadline: Late September
Award notifications: Mid October
Example of Past RFP
*** Applicants are responsible for following the most recent RFP when submitting proposals as guidelines and submissions processes may have changed. The CSM Dean’s Office is not responsible for proposals submitted using outdated processes or for proposals which do not follow the most current guidelines.
Select Funded Proposals
AY 2024-2025
- T. Kwiatkowski, “Biochemical and Physiological Effects of Developmental Alcohol and Nicotine E-Cigarette Co-Exposure in Mice and Mouse Cell Lines.”
- M. Fork, “Amplifying Underrepresented Voices for More Equitable and Accessible Conference in Ecology and Natural Resources Management”
- J. Zalewski, “Career Advising for Non-standard Employment: A Human Capital Approach”
- S. Chen, “Developing a high Fidelity, Zero-Distortion Voice Communication System: Ensuring Clarity in Low-Bandwidth Environments”
- J. Maresh, “The Offspring Investment Strategies of Mammal Mothers”
Community Engagement Alternate Workload Assignment (CE-AWA)
CE-AWA is designed to support and encourage outreach and/or high-level service to the campus community and/or broader community among faculty within the College of the Sciences and Mathematics. The maximum award is three credits of AWA.
Typical Timeline
Call for proposals: Mid August
Deadline: Late September
Award notifications: Mid October
Example of Past RFP
Select Funded Proposals
AY 24-25
- D. Cooper, “Enhancing Computer Science Outreach”
- A. Richman, “Elevating Sustainability at WCU and Across PASSHE”
- C. Roemmele, “Science on Tap and Science for All”
External Funding Faculty Mentors
The CSM faculty below have recently applied for and received external grants, please consider contacting them with questions if you are interested in applying for external funding and are in need of guidance. For additional support, please also reach out to Dr. Stevie Grassetti, Associate Professor of Psychology and CSM research liaison to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at sgrassetti@wcupa.edu.
- Heather A. Wholey, Ph.D., RPA Professor of Anthropology, hwholey@wcupa.edu
- Jessica Sowa, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, jsowa@wcupa.edu
- Joby Hilliker, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Meteorology, jhilliker@wcupa.edu
- Eleanor D. Brown., PhD, Professor of Psychology, ebrown@wcupa.edu
For additional Funding Opportunities and Resources, please connect with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.