Description: The purpose of this program is to allow undergraduate students to obtain funding to offset the costs associated with doing research undertaken in a CSU credit-bearing course. Review the program guidelines for more information.

Allowable expenditures: $1,000 maximum allowable expenditures include supplies and materials or travel required for the project. Computer software and equipment can be funded only if it can be demonstrated that it is essential to the project and cannot be obtained by other means at CSU. The funding could be devoted to activities in a single semester, or spread out over the full academic year.

Non-allowable expenses: Equipment, materials paid for by fees, maintenance costs of existing equipment, student salary, or conference fees, laptop; iPad (or any other tablet); ipod; iphone (or any other cell phone).

Eligibility: At least Junior status, good academic standing, and 3.25 GPA or better. Students receiving funding through this program are eligible - and in fact encouraged - to work with a faculty member to apply for an Undergraduate Summer Research Award.

Terms: The awarded funds must be expended by the last day of the semester of the period covered by the award, at which time the student will submit a report summarizing results of the project and accounting for expenditures.

Deadline for fall funding: Last Monday of April.

Deadline for spring funding: Last Monday of November.

How to Apply: In addition to a completed cover page, all proposals should be a maximum of two pages and include a description of the research project, a budget outlining how the funding would be used, and a justification for that budget. See details in program guidelines.

Description: The goal of the USRA program is to provide undergraduate students with a summer learning experience that involves intellectual inquiry and faculty mentoring, and to foster an engaged environment that promotes a culture of student involvement in research and scholarship. See program guidelines here for more information.

Allowable expenditures: $5,000 maximum allowable expenditures include undergraduate student hourly wages, fringes, survey costs, participant costs, and travel that is directly related to the conduct of the project.

Eligibility: Full-time faculty who can serve as effective research mentors and can offer a meaningful, engaged learning experience for students are eligible. Students who are paid with award funds must be enrolled in a CSU undergraduate degree program during the summer semester and during the following fall semester.

Terms: The award period begins on May 15 following award notification and concludes the first day of the fall semester. Acceptance of an award signifies the agreement of participating undergraduate students to attend summer Office of Research seminars and to submit an abstract and present a poster at the CSU Research Day Poster Session.

Deadline: February 1st.

How to Apply: Complete the cover page and 2-4 page proposal—including Introduction, Justification, Student Engagement statement, Desired Outcomes, References, and Budget. Students may prepare the proposal materials, but the application must be submitted by Dr. Vail as the faculty sponsor. See details in program guidelines.

Evaluation criteria: See the program guidelines for a link to the evaluation criteria.

Description: The Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) is a competitive award for students who are pursuing doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis research. Proposals must focus on dissertation or thesis research that requires funding in excess of what can be supported through normal academic program operating budgets. Review the program guidelines for more information.

Allowable expenditures: $4,000 for doctoral students and $2,500 for master’s students. Allowable expenditures include student salaries and fringes, consultant fees, equipment, travel to national meetings or conferences, supplies, and other direct costs. Up to 50% of the total budget may be allocated for student summer salary and fringes.

Eligibility: Applicants must have a graduate GPA of at least 3.25, and must have completed at least 34 credits of graduate work if enrolled in a doctoral program or at least 9 credits of graduate work if enrolled in a master’s program. A student can receive no more than one GSRA as a master’s student and no more than one GSRA as a doctoral student.

Terms: The award period is 12 months and begins on May 15 following award notification.

Deadline: February 1st.

How to Apply: Submit the following:

• A 7-page proposal, including Cover Letter, Objectives, Background and Significance, Method, Anticipated Results, References, and Budget.

• An abbreviated 2—page CV.

• A letter of support from Dr. Vail that: (1) states the date (or anticipated date) of candidacy exam completion for doctoral students or degree completion for master’s students; (2) discusses the credentials of the applicant; (3) discusses the significance of the proposed research and its benefit to CSU; and (4) discusses the likelihood of the successful completion of the proposed research.

See program guidelines for further details.

Evaluation criteria: See the program guidelines for a link to the evaluation criteria.

Description: CSU maintains a list of other external (not managed by CSU) scholarships relevant to psychology students.

Sources: Ford Foundation; Spencer Foundation; NSF; Social Science Research Council International; among others.

Amounts: The funding dollar amount varies from source to source.

Deadlines: Deadlines vary from source to source.

How to Apply: Visit the CSU Graduate Research resource page for links to sources and information about submission instructions, application forms, and deadlines.

Step 1: Identify conference where you can present your research.

Consult with Dr. Vail to determine the best conference(s) for you to attend.

Step 2: Prepare and submit travel forms.

Please see details on the Dept. of Psychology Travel Award page, and visit and work with Psychology Department Coordinator (Barbara Durfey: b.durfey@csuohio.edu, 216.687.2544) to prepare and submit the relevant travel funding application forms AT LEAST 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO TRAVEL.

• Form #1: CSU Travel Authorization & Expense Report.

• Form #2: College of Arts & Sciences Travel Pre-Authorization Form.

• Form #3: College of Arts & Sciences Student Travel Fund Form.

• Form #4: College of Graduate Studies Student Conference Travel Fund Request (if applicable).

Step 3: Gain approval/receive travel funding.

After your submitted packet has been reviewed, you will be emailed the details of your travel funding award, if any.

Step 4: Go to conference, make us all proud, and keep your receipts.

During travel, keep all of your receipts for reimbursement. If flying, keep boarding passes; if you travel with others and split bills, make sure to get a copy showing the amount you paid.

Step 5: Fill out expense report, submit w/ receipts and signature.

WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF TRAVEL, return all of your relevant travel receipts to the Psychology Department Coordinator for final processing.

Step 6: Receive travel reimbursement check in the mail.

Done!

Description: Dr. Schuerger was a valued member of the faculty of the Department of Psychology at CSU until 2003. This endowment fund was created to honor his legacy by providing scholarships to deserving students.

Amount: Scholarships may be given to at least one (1) undergraduate and/or one (1) graduate student in the form of tuition credit for the upcoming academic year; the dollar amount varies each year.

Eligibility and Selection Preferences: Applicants must be enrolled for the coming fall semester in the College of Science and Health Professions at Cleveland State University. Preference will be given to applicants who (a) are members of an under-represented student group; (b) demonstrate financial need; and/or (c) are majoring or pursuing graduate work in the Department of Psychology.

Deadline: March 15.

How to Apply: Visit the CSU Department of Psychology Scholarships & Awards page, download and complete the Schuerger application form, and submit it by the deadline.

Description: Upon her departure from Cleveland State University, after 45 years of service, Joyce Zabor and her husband Ron established this scholarship to provide support to Psychology majors demonstrating financial need and academic and professional promise.

Amount: Scholarships may be given to at least one (1) undergraduate and/or one (1) graduate student in the form of tuition credit for the upcoming academic year; the amount varies each year.

Eligibility and Selection Preferences: Applicants must be majoring or pursuing graduate work in the Department of Psychology at Cleveland State University. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need as well as academic and professional promise.

Deadline: March 15.

How to Apply: Visit the CSU Department of Psychology Scholarships & Awards page, download and complete the Zabor application form, and submit it by the deadline.

Description: Applicants must be currently enrolled at Cleveland State University, with a preference given to students studying psychology or pre-veterinary medicine, or those who intend to pursue a career in veterinary medicine or animal welfare. This scholarship is intended to be the financial support students need in order to work less. The scholarship dollar amount varies each year.

How to Apply: Visit the CSU College of Arts & Sciences page for details about submission instructions, application forms, and deadlines.

Description: The CSU Department of Psychology maintains a list of other external (not managed by CSU) scholarships relevant to psychology students.

Sources: American Psychological Association; Cleveland Foundation; COGDOP Graduate Research Scholarships; The American Indian College Fund for Graduate Students; Congressional Black Caucus Graduate Scholarship; Esperanza; Hispanic Scholarship Fund for Graduate Students; Point Foundation Scholarship for LGBTQ+ students; among many others.

Amounts: The scholarship dollar amount varies from source to source.

Deadlines: Deadlines vary from source to source.

How to Apply: Visit the CSU Department of Psychology Scholarships page for links to sources and information about submission instructions, application forms, and deadlines.

Description: The OPUS award is given to an outstanding member of each graduating class.

Eligibility: The OPUS criteria are: (1) graduating psychology majors, (2) with strong grades (GPA of 3.7 and above), and (3) notable engagement with the CSU Department of Psychology (e.g., via research, scholarship, other activity).

Preference: Aside from meeting criteria #1 and #2, evidence of outstanding engagement in the Dept. of Psychology (criteria #3) is the driving criterion for selecting a recipient.

Nomination: Students may request to be nominated by Dr. Vail (direct self-nominations are not allowed). Interested SPEAR Lab students should contact Dr. Vail to discuss, and are encouraged to prepare a cover letter explaining how you meet each of the three criteria.

Deadline: March 15 (if spring graduation); October 15 (if fall graduation).

Description: The OPGS award is given to an outstanding member of each graduating class.

Eligibility: This award is given to one awardee per each of the MA specializations and PhD graduate program specialization. Graduate students in the Psychology MA and PhD specializations are eligible.

Selection criteria: The OPGS selection criteria are: (1) final-year graduate students, (2) with high-performance grades (typically GPA of 3.7 and above), and (3) notable engagement with the department (e.g., via research, scholarship, other activity).

Nomination: Nominations should include the student’s CV as well as a nominator’s letter explaining how the student meets each criteria—especially criteria #3, as evidence of outstanding engagement in the Dept. of Psychology (criteria #3) will be the driving criterion for selecting a recipient. Self-nominations are permitted; additional letters of support are also permitted. Interested SPEAR Lab students should contact Dr. Vail to discuss, and should prepare a cover letter explaining how you meet each of the three criteria.

Deadline: October 15.

Description: This competition entails students summarizing their research in 3 minutes or less using pre-determined guidelines. CSU hosts a qualifying competition to decide which student will represent our university at the regional competition sponsored by the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools.

Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, good academic standing, and passed the thesis/dissertation proposal stage.

To submit an entry: See details at the College of Graduate Studies 3-Minute Thesis page. Students will need to submit a title of thesis or dissertation and a letter of support from the chair of thesis/dissertation committee vouching for eligibility.

Evaluation criteria and rules: See details at the College of Graduate Studies 3-Minute Thesis page.

1st Place: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

Submission deadline: Typically in January; see details.

Competition date: February each year; date typically announced in January.

Additional: Note the College of Graduate Studies offers 3-MInute Thesis/Dissertation training workshops, to help fine tune your presentation strategy, slide, and speaking skills.

Description: This award is intended to reward substantial research or creative scholarship achievements for any work performed outside of a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation, including, but not limited to, a project, capstone project, non-graded work, or work completed outside or above and beyond core curricular classwork. Research or creative scholarship must have been conducted while a graduate student at Cleveland State University and must not include work completed as part of a thesis or dissertation. Students seeking to apply for an award based on thesis or dissertation work should apply instead for the Thesis or Dissertation Award. Work that is part of a thesis or dissertation will not be considered for this award category.

1st Place Thesis or Dissertation: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place Thesis or Dissertation: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, good academic standing, current CSU students (or no more than 1 year post-graduation).

Nomination materials: See details at the College of Graduate Studies page. Students will need to submit (1) a nomination cover page, (2) a nomination letter, (3) an abbreviated 2-page CV, (4) a 1-page project summary, and (5) any relevant appendices.

Submission deadline: Typically in January; see details.

Description: These awards are granted to graduate students for research that is being conducted for a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation which has the potential to make a substantial contribution to their field. Prior to the submission deadline for this award, the student must have successfully defended the thesis/dissertation proposal and must have on file with the College of Graduate Studies a Master’s Thesis or Dissertation Proposal Approval form with the required signatures.

1st Place Thesis: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place Thesis: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

1st Place Dissertation: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place Dissertation: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, good academic standing, current CSU students (or no more than 1 year post-graduation).

Nomination materials: See details at the College of Graduate Studies page. Students will need to submit (1) a nomination cover page, (2) a nomination letter, (3) an abbreviated 2-page CV, (4) a 1-page project summary, and (5) any relevant appendices.

Submission deadline: Typically in January; see details.

Description: These awards are granted to two graduate students who have demonstrated extraordinary performance in teaching as the instructor of record. The successful nominees will demonstrate the ability to facilitate student learning, the willingness and ability to solicit and reflect on feedback about teaching and implement changes for improvement, excellent knowledge and enthusiasm for course subject matter, and the ability to utilize a variety of teaching strategies appropriate to the course content.

1st Place: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, good academic standing, current CSU students (or no more than 1 year post-graduation).

Nomination materials: See details at the College of Graduate Studies page. Students will need to submit (1) a nomination cover page, (2) a nomination letter, (3) an abbreviated 2-page CV, (4) a 1-page teaching statement, and (5) any relevant appendices.

Submission deadline: Typically in January; see details.

Description: These awards are granted to two graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in assisting the course instructor of record as a course grader, course tutor, review session instructor, lab instructor, or in another supportive teaching role. The successful nominee will demonstrate the ability to facilitate student learning, the willingness and ability to solicit and reflect on feedback about teaching and implement changes for improvement, and excellent knowledge and enthusiasm for the course subject matter.

1st Place: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, good academic standing, current CSU students (or no more than 1 year post-graduation).

Nomination materials: See details at the College of Graduate Studies page. Students will need to submit (1) a nomination cover page, (2) a nomination letter, (3) an abbreviated 2-page CV, (4) a 1-page teaching statement, and (5) any relevant appendices.

Submission deadline: Typically in January; see details.

Description: This award will be granted to two graduate students who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to helping disenfranchised and disempowered groups through community engagement and/or social justice advocacy. The nominee's commitment to engagement and/or social justice must be mutually beneficial to student learning, academic scholarship and community well-being, and be demonstrated through practice, research or professional service in their field.

1st Place: Outstanding Achievement Award, $500.

2nd Place: Excellent Achievement Award, $250.

Eligibility: GPA of 3.0 or better, good academic standing, current CSU students (or no more than 1 year post-graduation).

Nomination materials: See details at the College of Graduate Studies page. Students will need to submit (1) a nomination cover page, (2) a nomination letter, (3) an abbreviated 2-page CV, (4) a 1-page project description, and (5) any relevant appendices.

Submission deadline: Typically in January; see details.