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Research Funding

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING AND SUBMITTING PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING FOR

The Sidman P. Poole Endowment in Geography

or

The Virginia Tech Foundation Geography Account

The Sidman P. Poole Endowment in Geography is an endowment established by Rachel Poole (1896-1999) in honor of her husband, Sidman Poole (1893-1955), an officer in the U.S. Army (1917-1946), a geography faculty member at the University of Virginia (1946-1955), an author, and a supporter of geographic education in Virginia.

Purposes of the Funds

  • To support field research by graduate students and advanced undergraduates.
  • To assist geography students at any level with the costs of attending professional meetings, special seminars and workshops.
  • To purchase specialized field equipment and supplies that would benefit student research.  All equipment and supplies not expended are the property of the Department of Geography. (Students using the equipment are responsible for its security and maintenance, and for returning it to the department in reasonable condition.)

How to Apply for Funds

Submit a one- to two-page proposal that describes the following:

  • Purpose for which funds are requested; describe your project or workshop or, if for a conference, explain why you want to go and mention if you are presenting or participating in the conference in other ways (e.g., World Geography Bowl).
  • How funds will be used.
  • Amount of funds requested and estimate of total project or conference costs. (Be sure to include all costs. For conferences, include the usual categories of travel, lodging, meals, and registration, even if some are $0.)
  • Amounts of funds awarded or expected from other sources, including personal funds, toward meeting the costs of the project (or conference).
  • If the funds are for a research project, include a supporting letter from your faculty advisor.

Requirements of Students Receiving Funds

Students receiving funds are required to submit a short report to the department that includes information on scholarly and other achievements resulting from the research, conference, workshop, etc., within one month of completion of the funded activity.

When to Submit Proposals

Proposals are accepted by the department head on a rotating basis. 

General Guidelines

While the committee will entertain all requests, the following guidelines will make your application more effective:

Research and Equipment Requests

  • Your completed thesis or project proposal must already be approved by your committee and your research progress review rated as good at the time of application.
  • If you are requesting research support, to receive an award from the department, you MUST also apply for funding through the Graduate Student Association (GSA) (forms and information here). Please attach a copy of your completed GSA application to your departmental application. Departmental support is not dependent upon receiving an award from the GSA, only on your willingness to submit an application.

Travel Requests

  • Attendance at the Southeast Division of the American Association of Geographers (SEDAAG) does not require an application.
  • Generally, only one conference or workshop per year will be considered.
  • Presentations/posters or other appearances on the program will count heavily in considerations for funding.
  • Previous attendance at professional meetings (such as SEDAAG) indicates a serious desire to attend future meetings.
  • If you are presenting your research, to receive an award from the department, you MUST also apply for funding through the GSA (forms and information here). Please attach a copy of your nearly completed GSA application to your departmental application. NOTE: Do not submit the GSA application before applying for departmental support, just complete most of the form.  
  • After the committee has made a Poole award, you can add that amount as departmental support to the GSA application and submit it. Departmental support will make your request to the GSA stronger. Departmental support is not dependent upon receiving an award from the GSA, only on an application to the GSA.

Amounts and numbers of awards will be dependent upon availability of funds and the quality of proposals.  Money will be expended as requests come in, so finds may not be available for late applicants. It is best to apply as early in the year as possible and as soon as you know your plans.