skip to main content
ORSP Research Development
University of Mississippi

Small Grant Program (SGP)

The Office for Research and Economic Development (ORED) is announcing a new small grant opportunity for faculty. ORED, in collaboration with University Associate Deans for Research (ADRs), is seeking proposals for research and scholarly activity grants from UM faculty who are eligible to serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) as described in the policy Definition of a Principal Investigator.  Researchers may only receive an SGP grant once every three (3) years. Selected proposals will be funded by ORED.

Small Grants Program funding opportunity announcement (FOA) 2024 (PDF) (rev. Nov 1, 2024)

The InfoReady Review competition will open for applications on November 13, 2024.

Overview

The program will help faculty launch new, promising lines of research and creative achievement for which resources are currently not available. The Small Grant Program (SGP) awards can be utilized to fund pilot research that will generate preliminary data to leverage extramural research grant opportunities and contribute to a sustainable program of research, creative achievement, or scholarship.  Smaller grants can help faculty build skills in grant writing and project management.

The SGP seeks to support and encourage the development of impactful programs of research or creative activity by faculty in all disciplines on campus.  Priority consideration for funding will be given to projects likely to attract external awards, grants, fellowships, or other significant recognitions such as books, performances, and installations.  There are two levels of funding:

  • Individual investigator project – maximum $5,000
  • Collaborative projects – maximum $10,000

Timeline

11/13/2024: SPAN form submitted to notify intent to submit a proposal
12/06/2024: Proposals for 2025 due (with a start date of January 17, 2025)
All funds must be spent by December 31, 2025.

Following years:
1st Working Day of November: Span notification to submit
1st Working Day of December at COB: Proposals will be due
1st Day of Spring Classes: Award notifications and awarding of

Project periods will not exceed one calendar year.

Applications received after the submission deadline in December will not be considered.

FAQ's

Q: Can someone apply for an SGP grant only once every three years, or receive an SGP grant once every three years?
A: Receive.

Q: Are transmittals required for SGP applications?
A: No, transmittals are not required, and should not be routed, since these are internal grants from institutional funds.

Q: Is this opportunity limited to tenured or tenure-track faculty members?
A: No, as stated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement, anyone who is eligible to serve as a Principal Investigator on an external grant is also eligible to apply for this program (Definition of a Principal Investigator).

Q: Are post-doctoral research associates eligible to apply?
A: No. The Small Grants Program is intended to build research capacity at the University of Mississippi. Since postdoc appointments are temporary by nature, and since most postdocs will end up in more permanent research positions at other institutions (and many are already 100% committed to sponsored projects), postdocs are not eligible for this opportunity.

Q: How do I submit my actual application?
A: Via the InfoReady Review portal, once we open it up to applications starting November 13. A link will be posted here then.

Q: Who can help me with developing my proposal budget and navigating the application process?
A: After you submit your SPAN form, an ORSP Research Administrator will reach out to you within a couple of working days to discuss next steps and how they can assist you.

Q: How do I submit my actual application?
A: Via the InfoReady Review portal, once we open it up to applications starting November 13. A link will be posted here then.

Q: Who can help me with developing my proposal budget and navigating the application process?
A: After you submit your SPAN form, an ORSP Research Administrator will reach out to you within a couple of working days to discuss next steps and how they can assist you.

Please contact Interim Associate Vice Chancellor Greg Easson at geasson@olemiss.edu with questions about the funding opportunity or to request further information. Questions about the InfoReady Review portal process should be sent to Mary Lea McMillan at mlea@olemiss.edu.