ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE COLLEGE
GRADUATE STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH GRANTS
Procedures
Requests for funding will be submitted to the Graduate College, where a committee will review the requests and
make a recommendation on funding to the Dean of the Graduate College or their appointed representative. The
Committee will be appointed each year by the Graduate Dean and will consist of two members from the
Graduate Council, one member from the Graduate Student Council, and a designee from the Graduate College.
There will be five review cycles (tentatively set for February 1, April 1, June 1, September 1, November 1)
where applications will be accepted and reviewed. These awards will be competitive and are not guaranteed.
Requests for funding will be reviewed during each cycle, pending available funding. The committee also holds
the right to grant partial funding for the award and will notify the applicant of the rationale used.
Grant Criteria
Professional development or research grant proposals are expected to be consistent with the Graduate College’s
vision and mission and have a reasonable correlation to institutional goals, priorities, and constituencies.
Examples include proposals that:
Contribute to growth in knowledge of a field/discipline
Contribute to research activities that will enhance the graduate students ability to put into practice
what they have learned in their graduate studies
Represent significant professional service to professional association or the community
Enhance efforts that will improve the student’s overall professional growth in their chosen discipline
Eligible Funding Items
Items eligible for funding include (but not limited to):
Expenses associated with graduate research
Professional conferences for the purpose of remaining current in their chosen discipline, presenting a
paper or program at a professional conference, or serving in a significant official capacity
(registration costs only; will not cover membership dues)
*Priority will be given to students presenting or serving in an official capacity with the
conference.
Professional development for specific knowledge and/or skill acquisition (including webinars and
virtual conferences registration fees)
Funding is provided with the expectation that the developmental activity and/or research would increase the
graduate students’ knowledge and ability to put what they have learned in their studies into practice. Students
seeking funds to cover travel expenses and lodging for conferences will be directed to apply for funds from
Student Services, “Funding Opportunities” and click on the Student Development Fund Guidelines and
Application. http://www.atu.edu/campuslife/resources.php
Eligibility
All full-time graduate students (as defined by the ATU Financial Aid Office), currently enrolled in a graduate
program are eligible for funds. Students must be enrolled the semester they intend to use the funds. Graduate
students must be in good academic standing at the time of their application with the Graduate College and have
the support of their program coordinator. Graduate students are only allowed to receive one grant/academic
year.