University Research Council
The University Research Council (URC) was established through collective bargaining with the faculty of Â鶹´«Ã½. URC aims to foster and stimulate the research mission of the University by studying and recommending policies, recommending priorities for support, recommending faculty research appointments, and providing financial support for artistic and scholarly work.
If you have a question pertaining to URC, please contact Peggy Kramer at 330-672-0709 or pkramer@kent.edu.
The Undergraduate Scholars Program is no longer administered by the URC. The Office of Student Research has funding opportunities for undergraduate students. The URC provides financial support directly to this Office to support undergraduate research.
University Research Council Fact Sheet
Money may be requested for materials, supplies, travel and services directly supporting research and creative activities, but not faculty salary support. Funding for research assistants may also be requested, but proposals should not be primarily for thesis or dissertation research. URC funds are intended to serve as seed money, not for general operating support or for already funded activities. The maximum award is $4,500 per year in this category. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis; faculty must provide a concrete plan for future grant submissions commensurate with standards in their disciplines. To encourage broader participation, a faculty member is not eligible for a second grant for 1 year following the completion date of a prior award. Funds are available for faculty to work with an external consultant to improve their writing / grantsmanship; interested faculty should use this request form (details are contained within the application form). Additional funding to supplement Institute funding awards can be requested in the amount of $3,500 maximum per year using the appropriate form below.
Research Travel Support: Applications for travel support must show how the travel will further research efforts or extramural funding. The least expensive and most practical mode of transportation must be chosen. Full reimbursement by URC cannot be expected, especially for large amounts. State regulations prohibit travel advances, but airfare may be purchased and reimbursed in advance. The URC does not cover the cost of meals during research trips.
Undergraduate Research Supplement for Conduct of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity: In the interest of ensuring that undergraduate and graduate education reinforce each other to create an optimal learning environment, the URC encourages Research, Scholarship and Creative activity proposals from faculty that actively involve undergraduate students. An additional $1,000, up to a maximum of $4,500, may be sought with the stipulation that the student(s) provide a 1 page thesis statement of objectives and expected outcomes from their participation. Additionally, the faculty member must describe how the student will play a substantive role in the project. The additional funds may be used for student salary.
Computer Equipment Support: In general, the URC does not fund requests for computer support. In exceptional circumstances the URC will consider requests for computer equipment, up to a maximum of $2,500. The computer must be used only for scholarly activity, not editing or printing of manuscripts/articles or storage of data. In many cases it is likely to be specialized equipment that could not be adapted for multi-purpose use and is necessary to support ongoing research that may lead to extramural funding.
Development of Extramural Funding: Support for discussions with program officers and other funding agency personnel on specific proposal, project or program matters may be requested.
- Research and Scholarly Activity Support Request (Over $500)
- Form to request support for research or scholarly activity in an amount $500 - $3500 or $4500 for projects involving undergraduate research
- Research and Scholarly Activity Support Request - supplement to Institute funding (Over $500)
- Form to request support for research or scholarly activity to supplement to Institute funding in an amount $500 - $2500 or $3500 for projects involving undergraduate research
- Research and Scholarly Activity Support Request (Under $500)
- Form to request support for research or scholarly activity in an amount under $500
To promote and provide time for faculty scholarship, particularly work that may increase chances for extramural funding, each Fall the URC invites proposals for either a 10-week appointment during the summer or for one semester during the academic year at full pay. Full time tenure track and NTT faculty are eligble. The summer appointment carries a $10,000 stipend and faculty may not receive awards in consecutive years.
Proposals are reviewed by screening committees chaired by URC members and comprised of faculty members in the following clusters of disciplines: Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Professional Schools; Arts; Humanities; and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Interdisciplinary Research Projects: Interdisciplinary proposals are accepted in the Summer Research appointment competition that are authored by two faculty members in different academic units. The proposal, if recommended for an award, provides a stipend or released time for each faculty member.
To be considered for funding the proposal must describe a project in which both faculty members contribute in approximate equal measure. The proposal must clearly describe the contribution each faculty member will make toward the successful completion of the project.
This modality is implemented to promote, support and nurture interdisciplinary research activities at KSU. The expected outcomes of such projects must include, but are not necessarily limited to, publications, presentations at professional meetings, and the preparation of a proposal for submission to an external funding agency.
- Research/Creative Activity Summer/AY Appointments
- Form to request consideration for a Faculty Summer or Academic Year Creative Activity Appointment
The URC can provide up to $1000 for one domestic or interantional conference or workshop per year (July 1 to June 30). This support is to assist in the dissemination of research and scholarship. Temporary and part time faculty are able to request this support.
- Professional Conference Support Request
- Form to request support for professional conference travel costs
Funds may be requested for copying manuscripts, purchase of reprints, permission and copyright fees, page charges, and indexing. With limitations, the URC also considers requests for publication subventions. Subvention Policy listed separately.
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- The Â鶹´«Ã½ Open Access Publishing Fund will support article processing charges (APCs) for open access journals when funds are not otherwise available. The fund is supported by the University Research Council, the Division of Research and Economic Development, and University Libraries. The management and administration of the fund is through University Libraries.
- Page Charge Request
- Form to request support for page charges associated with publication
- Reprint Request
- Form to request support for reprint charges associated with publication
Formerly known as the Distinguished Scholar Award, these awards are intended to honor Kent State’s finest researchers and scholars. Recipients are selected based on the quality of their research and its impact on society.
Any member of the KSU community, including faculty, emeriti, staff, students and alumni, may nominate any KSU faculty member, except those who have previously received a Distinguished Scholar or ORSA award.
Learn more about the ORSAs or view the previous winners.
2021 Winners
- ORSA
- Ruoming Jin, Computer Science
- Deric R. Kenne, Public Health
- Jihyun Vick, Fashion
- NEW Faculty
- Christie Bahlai, Biological Sciences
- Leigh Garcia, Art
- Shannon Navy, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies
Fall Meetings
- Sept. 11
- Oct. 16
- Nov. 13
- Dec. 11