SIG Research Grant are small grants (<$2,500) that are awarded to research projects that further the goals of NSGC SIGs. Applications will undergo a two-step review by SIG Leaders and the Research Quality and Outcomes Committee (RQO).
SIG Research Grant Funding Timeline
| 2025 |
|
| April 1 |
Cycle 1: SIG Application deadline. RQO Application opens |
| April 15 |
Cycle 1: RQO Application deadline. |
| Early May |
Cycle 1: Award notifications released. |
| August 1 |
Cycle 2: SIG Application deadline. RQO Application opens |
| August 15 |
Cycle 2: RQO Application deadline |
| Early September |
Cycle 2: Award notifications released |
General Application Requirements
Proposals should include a cover page, conflict of interest statement, project description, timeline, budget, and biographical justification of key personnel).
Step 1 - SIG Application and Review
All SIG research grant funding requests must be pre-approved by the SIG using whatever approval process the SIG has in place. SIG leaders will review the grant applications submitted to their SIG and nominate applications to be reviewed by the NSGC RQO Committee. SIG leaders determine their scoring and review criteria and applicants should check with their SIG leaders to determine process and timing requirements to align with RQO submission deadlines. SIG leaders will review how relevant and beneficial the project is to the SIG’s goals.
Please connect with your SIGs designated contact.
SIG leaders will determine which SIG grant funding requests will be submitted for consideration by the RQO SIG Grant Subcommittee
Step 2 - RQO Application and Review
Once SIG Leaders review and approve an application, applicants should submit their proposals via Open Water for RQO review and final funding decisions.
Applications for Cycle 1 are now closed.
Note: Please only submit your application for SIG Research Grant Funding through this link if your application has been reviewed and selected by the SIG leaders of your SIG.
Applications that pass the SIG review will undergo a standardized review process by the RQO Committee, ensuring proper disclosure and management of any potential conflicts of interest. Detailed feedback will not be provided to unsuccessful applicants.
Details of the RQO review criteria and scoring rubric can be found here. Note: this is not the scoring rubric used by the SIGs to score applications. This rubric is used by the RQO committee after the SIG leaders have reviewed and selected your application for review by the RQO committee.
Step 3 - Award Notification Process
SIGs will be notified about final funding decisions by the RQO SIG Grant Subcommittee and are responsible for communicating directly to applicants about their award status.
Step 4 - Reporting Requirements
Progress reports will be due one year after the awarding of funds to the relevant SIG, the RQO SIG Grant Subcommittee, and the RQO NSGC staff member. This report should be 2 page maximum, including tables/figures if applicable. These reports should include details on study milestones and financial reporting, including the budgeted expenses compared to actual expenses with receipts. Any unused funds at the are required to be returned to NSGC.
General Questions
Is there a cap on the total funding awarded to any given SIG?
No, there is no official cap on the total funding awarded to each SIG. However, RQO reviewers consider how many applications are submitted per SIG in an effort to make the funding equitable across SIGs.
To whom will research grant funds be awarded?
Funds will be awarded through the recipient’s intuition’s grants office.
My SIG has a research project that we want to complete but the required budget is >$2,500. Can we use this application process?
No, the most that can be awarded to each research project is $2,500. If your research project’s budget exceeds $2,500, we recommend that you explore NSGC’s other award and grant opportunities here.