FAQ for Grant Applicants
Applicant eligibility
Do I have to be an active APSA member to apply for a grant?
No, you do not need to be an APSA member to apply. However, award winners do need to maintain active APSA membership for the duration of their grant.
I am an independent scholar or a faculty member working outside of a political science department, am I still eligible for research grants?
Yes! As long as your proposed research fits within the discipline of political science, and you meet other relevant eligibility requirements (see Question 1) you are eligible for research grants. Please note that PIs for Peer to Peer Pedagogical Partnerships and Special Projects Fund proposals should be political science faculty (or faculty outside of political science departments who regularly conduct research or teach in political science). Similarly, Research Partnership on Critical Issues must have at least one, and ideally multiple PIs located in a political science department.
I am not a US citizen, am I still eligible for the Centennial Center programs?
Yes! There is no citizenship requirement for Centennial Center grants.
Eligible Expenses
Can grants support work that was completed before notifications were made?
No, grants may only support work conducted after notification of award.
Can my institution charge administrative or overhead costs to my grant?
No.
Can my institution charge administrative or overhead costs to my grant?
No.
Can I use my grant funds to pay for APSA membership?
No.
Can I use my grant funds for APSA Annual Meeting registration funds?
No. Grants may be used to support costs of workshops or mini conferences held at the Annual Meeting (i.e. office supplies, catering, travel support), but grant funds may not be used to pay for conference registration.
Do you have any tips for writing my grant application and preparing my budget?
Yes! You can find our grant writing guide here. If your institution has an office of research or a writing center, we recommend contacting them for in-depth grant-writing support.
What should be included in letters of recommendation?
Letters must speak to the applicant’s ability to successfully carry out the proposed work. They may also speak to the value of the proposed work.