The University Senate supports the University Senate Research Committee Small Grants program
University Senate Research Committee Small Grants
The University Senate Research Committee Small Grants Program helps faculty members complete small projects that arise throughout the year.
Please review the USRC Guidelines for details.
Proposals for the USRC Small Grants Program are submitted through IUP’s InfoReady Review system. Please note that there are two separate competitions: one for travel applications and one for research/scholarship applications. Competitions are launched monthly after the previous month’s competition has closed.
Applications are reviewed and grants are awarded eight times during the academic year.
University Senate Research Committee Membership
The University Senate Research Committee shall consist of members representing each of the six colleges:
- Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs
- Eberly College of Business
- Education and Human Services
- Health Sciences
- Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- University College
| College | Member |
|---|---|
| Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs | Daniel Lee |
| Eberly College of Business | Lisa Sciulli |
| Education and Human Services | Lorraine Guth |
| Health Sciences | Vacant |
| Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Sanda Maicaneanu |
| Research Institute | Tracy Eisenhower |
| College | Member |
|---|---|
| Office of Research and Innovation | Hilliary Creely |
USRC Application Deadlines and Meeting Dates
| Competition | Proposal Deadline by 4:30 p.m. (EST) |
Meeting Dates University Senate Research Committee (USRC) |
|---|---|---|
| September | Friday, September 5, 2025 | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 |
| October | Friday, October 3, 2025 | Tuesday, October 14, 2025 |
| November | Friday, October 31, 2025 | Tuesday, November 11, 2025 |
| December | Friday, November 28, 2025 | Tuesday, December 9, 2025 |
| February | Friday, January 30, 2026 | Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
| March | Friday, February 27, 2026 | Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| April | Friday, March 27, 2026 | Tuesday, April 7, 2026 |
| May* | Friday, April 24, 2026 | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 |
Proposals requesting funding for the next fiscal year (2026–27, beginning July 1, 2026) can be submitted beginning with the February 2026 competition.
*ONLY proposals for FY26–27 will be reviewed in the May competition. Proposals for the current fiscal year (2025–26) must be submitted no later than the April 2026 competition.
University Senate Research Committee (USRC) Small Grants
How do I determine the amount of Senate funding for which I am eligible to apply?
Funding amounts and limits are detailed in the USRC grant guidelines, located within the InfoReady application and the USRC website.
Can a small-grant proposal be submitted for travel to present papers/scholarly work before receiving conference acceptance?
Yes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of the conference date and may submit an application prior to receipt of conference acceptance.
Can I apply to present at more than one conference on one travel proposal submission?
No. Faculty should split different presentations into separate applications.
Can graduate students who are currently IUP temporary faculty apply for a USRC small grant?
No, graduate students should instead apply for student funding support for their research activities. Details of these funding opportunities are available on the graduate student funding website.
Can a small-grant proposal be submitted for the May competition for research and scholarship projects and travel to present papers/scholarly work that will occur prior to July 1 of the new fiscal year?
No. For the May competition, small-grant proposals are only accepted for research and scholarship projects and travel to present papers/scholarly work beginning July 1 or later.
How do I submit my final report?
Submit your final report using the form available in InfoReady Review. To locate the form, open your application in InfoReady, then click "progress report" on the right sidebar. Please note that a final report must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for future awards.
How do applicants who are proposing to co-present at a conference submit a small grant proposal?
Each applicant submits her/his proposal to co-present at a conference. Applicants proposing to co-present at a conference must explain each person's contribution to the work being presented, as well as justify why more than one presenter is needed at the conference. There must be some overwhelming reason why two presenters should be funded to present the same paper.