M E M O R A N D U M

DATE:	November 20, 1998
TO:	Faculty Associates
FROM:	Michael Gonzales
RE:	Research Grants for NIU Graduate Students

I am pleased to announce the annual competition for research awards for NIU graduate students completing M.A. and Ph.D. degrees with a field emphasis in either Latino or Latin American Studies. Eligibility will be limited, except in unusual cases, to students who have completed all requirements except their masters thesis or Ph.D. dissertation. Funding is available for awards during the current fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, as well as fiscal year 2000 (July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000). The size of the awards will be limited to $1,000.00 or less, and will be restricted to those expenses deemed worthy of reimbursement by the NIU Accounting Department. These include transportation, $28/32 per day for food, lodging, and basic supplies. Specific questions regarding reimbursable expenses can be directed to me, and I shall relay them to the Accounting Department. The University requires a dated receipt for every potentially reimbursable item, with the exception of food.

Applications must include a letter of support from the student's major professor, a budget, an itinerary, and a description of the project using the following guidelines.

Explain clearly in essay form of not more than 1,000 words what you plan to do and why, making clear the relevance of the project within your field of scholarship. Give a brief summary of progress already made on the project. If your research is part of a cooperative undertaking, explain the relationships.

Be as specific as possible, while at the same time bearing in mind that the selection committee is multi-disciplinary, composed of scholars who are not necessarily specialists in your own field. It is requested that applicants avoid an outline format and that they adhere strictly to the 1,000 word limit. If it is vital to your research statement, you may add a bibliography of not more than two pages. Please be sure that your name is in the upper right corner of each page, and that the pages are numbered consecutively.

Please head your research statement with a brief, descriptive title.

Six copies of the applications are due in the Center by February 7, 1999. Grant winners will be selected by the Center's elected faculty Advisory Committee.

Grant winners must submit a report of no less than 1,000 words detailing the outcome of their research agenda no later than six weeks after the completion of their field work. Grant winners must also acknowledge support received from the Center in their theses or dissertations, and in future publications.

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