Frequently Asked Questions
** Note: The grant cycle for this project is now closed.
- Submission Policies & Procedures
- Duration & Funding
- Location
- Budgeting
- Reporting
- Note on IRB and Human Subjects
1. Submission Policies & Procedures
- How should the proposal be submitted?
The proposal for “The State and Innovation in the Persian Gulf” grant should be submitted in electronic format to the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) via email.
- What is the CIRS policy on late submissions?
Proposal submissions are due on February 15, 2013. Submissions received after this date will not be considered.
2. Duration & Funding
- What is the maximum period for which funding is available under this grant?
The total project period may not exceed more than 1 year.Given that the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the duration of each award will also vary. Applicants are invited to submit proposals within a period of performance that does not exceed one year.
- What is the maximum amount of funding available?
Awards can range up to US $10,000.
- Are grant recipients automatically eligible for a second round of funding?
This is a one year grant cycle. There will not be a second year of funding.
- Will funds be released to the recipients at predetermined stages set by CIRS, or will they be received as per the recipient’s needs?
Georgetown University will reimburse the grant recipient directly for funds expended while conducting research, but those expenditures should remain in keeping with the approved budget and justification. The recovery of such out-of-pocket expenditures is achieved through the submission of a properly completed, approved and supported expense reimbursement form. It is critical that original receipts accompany the expense reimbursement form. Expenditures must be reasonable and appropriate and support the research project. Keep in mind that these expenditures draw on funds administered by CIRS and Georgetown University, and are subject to related University policy and procedure, sponsor terms and conditions, and legislative compliance. Upon award, the grant recipient will be instructed further on purchasing and reimbursement to conduct the research.
- If the funds allocated are not utilized during the period specified in the proposal, can they be carried over into the next year?
Funds should be utilized according to the given project timeline. Extensions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. Location
- Do grant recipients have to be based in the Persian Gulf for the duration of the award?
Grants will be awarded on the merit of original, empirically-based research undertaken in one or more of the countries of the Persian Gulf. Grant recipients must spend a portion of their time in one or more of the countries in the region conducting primary research. Recipients are not required to remain in the region beyond the time of their data collection for the purpose of analysis and documentation.
- What is the minimum time period that recipients are expected to be based in the Persian Gulf?
The time that a grant recipient must spend in the region will depend on the scope and nature of their research undertaking and their commitments as stated in their proposed work schedule.
4. Budgeting
- Are there specific Categories of Expenses that should be followed when preparing the budget? (Personnel, Equipment, Travel, Supplies).
Yes. Please see the Sample Budget and Sample Budget Justification.
- What currency should be used for populating the budget template and budget justification?
USD ($).
- Can the budget include indirect costs or is it strictly limited to direct costs?
No indirect costs will be covered under this grant.
- Can the cost of equipment (computers, digital voice-recording devices, etc.) and other electronic hardware tools be covered under the grant?
Equipment having a value per item less than $1,000 will be accepted in the proposed budgets. Items of equipment that are valued at greater than $1,000 will not be accepted. The equipment requested must be justified by explaining how it is necessary to the stipulated scholarly research outcomes. Supplies (books, stationary, printer cartridges, etc.) should be listed as a separate budget heading from Equipment for purposes of clarity.
- Can the funding cover in lieu of salaries?
Yes, conditionally: If, for example, an applicant is from a think tank or academic institution which pays 100% of the applicant’s salary, then the applicant should identify the proposed effort to be spent on the project and total payment that equates to the proposed effort.
- Is there a sample budget that applicants can review prior to submitting their proposal?
Yes, please click here.
5. Reporting
- Are the grant recipients required to submit progress reports to CIRS during the course of their research at regular intervals, and if so at which stages of the grant period are the reports due?
Yes, a progress report must be submitted to CIRS at the half-way mark of the research undertaking and at the conclusion of the project. Grant recipients will be provided with a template for the progress reports. Additional reporting of both a qualitative and financial nature may be required.
- Is there a post-award report due, and if so how long after completion of the grant period?
A Summary Report must be provided no later than 45 days after the completion of the research grant period. Grant recipients will be given guidelines on what the expectations are for the Summary Report.
6. IRB and Human Subjects
Research involving human subjects may only be conducted with approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent. The Institutional Review Board has the responsibility of reviewing proposed research projects to ensure that the privacy and welfare of the research participants are adequately protected. Such research shall be conducted in accordance with the submitting institution’s established policies and procedures related to human subjects research, consistent with internationally recognized and/or the Qatar National Health Authority standards and applicable law. Approved grant awardees will be required to seek IRB approval through their home institution prior to the release of funds. CIRS reserves the right to review submitting institution policies and procedures prior to the approval of human subject research.