Internal Grant Programs

The Office of Sponsored Programs administers four internal grant programs designed to support the scholarly activity and creative production of Bradley employees and students (See Eligibility Criteria and Restrictions). Please carefully review the proposal guidelines and the appropriate rubric for the award program of interest. The rubrics will be used by the proposal reviewers to score proposals and make award decisions.

Student Engagement Award (SEA)

Student Engagement Award (SEA) ($6,000 maximum) fund the direct costs of engaging students in meaningful experiential learning experiences. Projects dealing with research, scholarship, creative production, and service/outreach initiatives that align with the mission and strategic priorities of the University have been funded in recent years.

Faculty Scholarship Awards (FSA)

Faculty Scholarship Awards (FSA) ($6,000 maximum) are available to support Bradley faculty research and creative production. Scholarly Projects that focus on the initiatives listed in the current University Strategic Plan can receive additional points during the review process if a compelling argument is provided for why the work is a priority to the University.

The Office of Sponsored Programs uses the following definitions for research and creative production when assessing proposals.

• Research is a “systematic investigation, including development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge”¹. “Generalizable Knowledge means that (1) conclusions are drawn from particular instances and (2) the information from the investigation is to be disseminated.”²
  
• "Creative production refers to the process of transforming ideas and concepts into tangible and expressive forms of content. It involves combining artistic skill, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the desired outcomes.”³

Student Travel Award (STA) Program

Student Travel Award (STA) Program ($500 maximum): With the endorsement of a faculty member or equivalent, degree-seeking Bradley University students who have been accepted to present or showcase their scholarly or creative works at peer-reviewed (aka refereed or juried) conferences, meetings, and events may apply for STA grants. Students must review the proposal guidelines carefully before submitting the application materials.

Proposal Enhancement Grants (PEG)

Proposal Enhancement Grants (PEG)($2,000 maximum) are designed to improve future competitiveness for external grants, contracts, or research agreements with budgets greater than $20K. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, but funding is limited; therefore, it is advisable to contact OSP (osp@bradley.edu) before submitting a proposal

Other Offices that Provide Funding for Scholarship and Curricular Activities

The Center for Teaching Excellence and Learning (CTEL) and the Interdisciplinary Studies and Strategic Initiatives Office also administers funding opportunities to support scholarship and curricular activities on campus, as do some colleges.