{"id":26,"date":"2024-05-20T20:57:35","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T20:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/?page_id=26"},"modified":"2026-03-06T16:34:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T16:34:02","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs &amp; Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:34px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-6cdc0a6f0bbbef3870f70d0af4c73b4d\" style=\"color:#2d568b;background-color:#d9edf7\"><strong>Download a\u00a0PDF version of this page\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apsanet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/APSA-DDRIG-FAQs-2026.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/apsanet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2025-APSA-DDRIG-FAQs.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These frequently asked questions will be helpful to PhD students who are considering applying for the APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c82e84469cc8441dc20461b05d35508d\" style=\"color:#409c46\"><strong>Eligibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion accordion-18e9732f\" data-mode=\"global\"><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Which research areas are eligible for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>APSA expects the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants to represent the wide range of methods and approaches to empirical political science, including, but not limited to, quantitative and experimental approaches, archival and historical research, interpretive and ethnographical approaches, and qualitative interview and field research. APSA also welcomes uncommon and emerging research approaches, such as the use of large language models and other artificial intelligence tools. Substantive areas of funded, research will include, but will not be limited to: American government and politics; comparative government and politics; Indigenous politics; international relations; race, ethnicity, and politics; urban and local politics; women and politics research; political violence; conflict processes; public administration; public policy; political behavior; political economy; political institutions; and gender, sexuality, and politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants are intended to support basic, empirically oriented&nbsp;research. This grant cannot support applied research. Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Although basic research could&nbsp;result in a solution to a practical problem, that is not its primary aim. Applied research is designed to answer specific questions aimed at solving practical problems. Applied research is likely to directly make improvements on existing products, technologies, and processes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Who is eligible to receive the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>The APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants are available to all US-based graduate students who are at the point of initiating or are already conducting empirical dissertation research. Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be eligible for the grant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applicants must be enrolled and in good academic standing at a doctoral degree granting university at the time of application.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicants must be at a university accredited in and having a campus located in the United States.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicants must have completed all preliminary degree requirements at the time of their application, including having successfully completed comprehensive exams and a dissertation prospectus defense on or before August 15 of the grant cycle year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>APSA is committed to broadening participation by supporting the most promising dissertation research projects from a wide range of backgrounds, institutions, geographic areas, research interests, and methodologies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>I am a citizen of a foreign country. Am I eligible for the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Yes. If you are at a university accredited in&nbsp;and having a campus physically located in the United States, you are eligible for the grant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>If I have applied for the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant previously, can I re-apply?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Yes. You&nbsp;are eligible to re-apply so long as you still meet all of the application requirements. Grantees are not eligible to receive a second&nbsp;grant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Can the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant be held concurrently with other awards?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Yes, the grant can be held concurrently with other awards and funding sources, though you are required to inform APSA&nbsp;of all additional sources of funding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-199897109548603fd3525a6154432a72\" style=\"color:#409c46\"><strong>Application<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion accordion-4eb761df\" data-mode=\"global\"><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>What materials are required for the application?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>All proposals for APSA dissertation improvement grants are required to include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>proposal summary<\/li>\n<li>project description and research plan<\/li>\n<li>other sources of financial support<\/li>\n<li>professional development plan<\/li>\n<li>budget and budget justification<\/li>\n<li>data management plan<\/li>\n<li>adviser support form<\/li>\n<li>institutional support form<\/li>\n<li>research ethics requirement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For a full list and description of required application materials, see <a href=\"https:\/\/apsanet.org\/PROGRAMS\/Doctoral-Dissertation-Research-Improvement-Grants\/Application-Materials-and-Format\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>What costs are considered direct research costs?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Funds are to be used exclusively for direct costs for research activities. Costs that are covered by the APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant include, but are not limited to, the following:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Travel expenses (e.g. travel to field work or archives, including transportation, lodging, and reasonable travel associated expenses)<\/li>\n<li>Data collection (e.g. survey costs, payments to research subjects, archival photocopies)<\/li>\n<li>Research assistance (e.g. translation, transcription, and survey staff)<\/li>\n<li>Equipment, materials, and supplies (e.g. interview recording equipment, software &amp; necessary office supplies)<\/li>\n<li>Training (e.g. methods or fieldwork training, training on software or other resources)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>What costs are <em>not <\/em>considered direct research costs?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Funds are to be used exclusively for direct costs for research activities. Costs that are not covered by the APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant include, but are not limited to, the following:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>A stipend or salary for the grantee or adviser (note that salaries or payments for work by other individuals whose assistance may be essential to conduct the project may be permitted when there is sound justification for such expenses)<\/li>\n<li>Indirect costs, also known as facilities and administrative costs, for colleges and universities<\/li>\n<li>Costs for conference travel (note that grantees will receive $1,000 in direct conference travel reimbursement \u2013 see the Grantees section)<\/li>\n<li>Costs for tuition, textbooks, or other items not directly related to the conduct of dissertation research<\/li>\n<li>Publication costs for articles based on the dissertation, except when the university\u2019s degree requirements permit the substitution of published research results for a free-standing dissertation<\/li>\n<li>Costs for travel of the adviser to the field site<\/li>\n<li>Costs of living (e.g. rent, utilities, etc. at your primary residence)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>What criteria are used to select grantees?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Grantees are recommended for funding by a panel of experts on the basis of the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact of the proposed dissertation improvement activities. Intellectual Merit will be evaluated based on the project\u2019s potential to advance knowledge and understanding within political science or across fields (including the field of political science), while Broader Impact will be evaluated based on the project\u2019s potential to benefit society more broadly. Both criteria will be considered in the context of their originality and potentially transformative qualities, the organization and pragmatism of the research plan, and value of substantive and methodological diversity in research.\u00a0APSA staff review the expert panel\u2019s recommendations and total available funding to make the final grantee selection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More information on the NSF framework for understanding Broader Impact and Intellectual Merit is available\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/pubs\/2021\/nsf21059\/nsf21059.jsp?org=NSF\">here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Does the APSA DDRIG application require a letter of recommendation?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>No. The APSA DDRIG application does not require&nbsp;a letter of recommendation. The application does require that the applicant\u2019s adviser complete and submit the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.apsanet.org\/Portals\/54\/docs\/Adviser%20support%20form.pdf?ver=JwSla3X_y174fyyRQRV8hg%3d%3d\">Adviser Support Form<\/a>. This is done through the application submission system. The applicant will be asked to enter their adviser\u2019s name and email address. The adviser will then receive an email prompting them to upload the completed form.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>What should I do if I do not have all of the required form signatures before the application deadline?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Applicants should email <a href=\"mailto:dissertations@apsanet.org\">dissertations@apsanet.org<\/a>, copy the office(s) and\/or individual(s) responsible for completing the form, and provide a timeline for when the completed form(s) will be submitted. These requests must be submitted before the application deadline and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants that have requested and received an approval for a form signature extension should upload placeholder materials missing the required signature to be able to submit the application.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>My project has multiple grant activities that involve human subjects, do I need to provide proof of IRB approval\/exemption for all of them?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Yes. Proof of exemption\/approval OR proof that you have applied for approval\/exemption must be provided for each grant-funded research activity that involves human subjects. If you are selected for funding, you will need to provide proof of approval prior to receiving the grant funds.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9c900e37a878f8d036c6aced0b9208cf\" style=\"color:#409c46\"><strong>Timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion accordion-8af0afb9\" data-mode=\"global\"><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>When is the application deadline?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>The application deadline is June 1, 2026, at 11:59PM Eastern Time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>When will I hear back about my application?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>For 2025 applicants, award notifications and announcements were made on August 21, 2025. For 2026 applicants, we aim to make award notifications and announcements in the late summer 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>When will the funds be disbursed?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>For 2026 applicants, we aim to disburse to grantees by October 2026, subject to the receipt of the appropriate paperwork and materials. This timeline may be delayed if APSA does not receive the funds for the administration of this grant from the National Science Foundation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Will I be able to use the funds for research activities completed before grant funds are disbursed?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>For 2026 applicants, projects that undertake research activities prior to grant disbursement are likely unable to use the grant funds for research activities completed more than 60 or 90 days before the grant funds are disbursed. Contact your university&#8217;s grant office to determine whether you are able to use grant funds on research activities completed before grant funds are disbursed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17286411563b6466ac5adf805464b188\" style=\"color:#409c46\"><strong><strong>Grantees<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion accordion-f930703d\" data-mode=\"global\"><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>How many grants are awarded and how much money is awarded per grant?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>APSA intends to award approximately 20 to 25\u00a0grants, each between $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the needs and scope of the proposed research project. In 2025, APSA awarded 22 grants. The issuance of this call for applications for research grants does not constitute a guarantee that APSA will make these grant awards. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>What are my responsibilities as a grantee?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Individuals awarded grants will have several requirements before and throughout the grant period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grantees will be required to submit necessary financial paperwork before receiving grant funds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grantees will be required to submit a one-page public facing summary describing their work at the beginning of the grant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grantees will be required to attend professional development programming provided by APSA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grantees will be required to document all spending.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grantees will be required to submit the required reports (a final report in the fall, at the conclusion of the grant and, for two-year grants, an interim report in the fall at the conclusion of the first year).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Does the full dissertation need to be completed within the grant period?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>No. The full dissertation does not need to be completed in the grant period. However, the activities for which grant funds are used should be limited to the time when the grant is active. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Can the grant period be extended?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>APSA recognizes that there may be unexpected delays or changes in research plans, and grantees\u00a0may on occasion find it difficult to maintain the planned expenditure timeline. In this case, grantees may apply for a no-cost extension to justify using the grant funds over the course of an additional year. Applications for no-cost extensions must be submitted at the conclusion of the grant year, in lieu of the final report. APSA\u00a0will review and approve applications for no-cost extensions. An application for a no-cost extension will require all of the elements of an interim report along with a one-page explanation for why the extension is necessary. The grant period <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">cannot<\/span> be extended after the grantee defends their dissertation. APSA may be unable to offer no-cost extensions for the 2026 cycle if APSA receives a notice of discontinuation of funds and\/or does not receive the funds for the administration of this grant from the National Science Foundation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Can I apply for a two-year grant period?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>While the typical grant period is one year,\u00a0applicants may apply for a two-year grant period. Applications\u00a0must clearly explain why a two-year period is necessary for the\u00a0project, particularly in the research plan, budget, and budget justification. APSA may be unable to offer two-year grant periods for the 2026 cycle if APSA receives a notice of discontinuation of funds and\/or does not receive the funds for the administration of this grant from the National Science Foundation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>How are the grant funds disbursed?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Grant funds are disbursed to the grantee\u2019s university. The university is responsible for receiving the grant funds and making them available to the grantee. The grantee will need to abide by their university\u2019s rules or procedures governing the use of grant funds. The application requires that each applicant\u2019s university agrees to this arrangement prior to submission of the application by signing the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/dpqzbipycxnfaw6\/APSADDRIG_Institutional%20Support%20Form%20.pdf?dl=0\">Institutional Support Form<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Is there any support for conference travel?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Yes. In addition to the budget request, grantees are provided with $1,000 in travel grant funds to present their DDRIG-funded research at the APSA annual meeting or at other conferences during their grant year. These funds are provided directly to the grantee on a reimbursement basis after the conference following <a href=\"https:\/\/apsanet.org\/RESOURCES\/Grants-in-the-Discipline\/APSA-Travel-Grants\/\">APSA\u2019s travel grant policy.<\/a> APSA may be unable to offer travel grants for the 2026 cycle if APSA receives a notice of discontinuation of funds and\/or does not receive the funds for the administration of this grant from the National Science Foundation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>Who can I contact with further questions?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>For more information and questions, please contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:dissertations@apsanet.org\">dissertations@apsanet.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-eeb3665b85d8f3c962ed795c9fdf01ce\" style=\"color:#409c46\"><strong><strong>Application Resources<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion accordion-d99ffa0f\" data-mode=\"global\"><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>How do I address intellectual merit and broader impact in my application?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The National Science Foundation defines Intellectual Merit as the potential to advance knowledge within your field or across fields and Broader Impact as the potential for your project to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes. Review these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wtamu.edu\/webres\/File\/Academics\/Graduate%20School\/Sponsored%20Research%20Services\/Intellectual_Merit.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Intellectual Merit Framework<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aris.marine.rutgers.edu\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Broader Impact Framework<\/a>\u00a0tools to help you think through how you can address these criteria based on your specific research topic and professional development goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>How do I estimate travel and cost of living expenses for fieldwork?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>The US government provides several resources to estimate both domestic and international travel and cost of living expenses. These include the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/aoprals.state.gov\/content.asp?content_id=156&amp;menu_id=75\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">State Department COL Estimator<\/a>, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gsa.gov\/travel\/plan-book\/per-diem-rates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GSA Per Diem Cost Estimator<\/a>, and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.travel.dod.mil\/Travel-Transportation-Rates\/Per-Diem\/Per-Diem-Rate-Lookup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Defense Travel Management Office&nbsp;Cost Estimator<\/a>. Asking colleagues that have done similar fieldwork for their budgets is often useful as well.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\"><strong>How do I create a data management plan?<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\">  <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\">  <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p>Quantitative and qualitative projects have different considerations for making an effective data management plan. Review the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/new.nsf.gov\/sbe\/data-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NSF SBE Guidance on Data Management<\/a>&nbsp;for a general overview of how to create a data management plan. For more specific guidance, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icpsr.umich.edu\/web\/pages\/datamanagement\/dmp\/elements.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ICPSR Quantitative Data Management Checklist<\/a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/qdr.syr.edu\/drupal_data\/public\/QDR%20-%20Data%20Management%20Checklist.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IQMR Qualitative Data Management Checklist<\/a>&nbsp;offer concrete steps to creating a data management plan for political science projects.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ef8322f42cd8954170453dc123f15186 is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-068baa28 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"color:#2d568b;background-color:#d9edf7;min-height:5vh;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #2d568b\">Watch APSA webinars with <strong><a style=\"color: #2d568b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=s6Li3S_5EaA\">updated information about the 2025 grant cycle<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #2d568b\">and\u00a0<strong><a style=\"color: #2d568b\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ti_02vif77o&amp;t=3s\">insights from past reviewers.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #2d568b\">Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/apsanet.org\/Portals\/54\/journals\/Grad%20school%20chapters%20up%20to%20date%2011-17-22\/GS1%20-%20Chapter%2023.pdf?ver=KHftLD1j80aVYxqdJ6uqbQ%3d%3d\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong><span style=\"background-color: #d9edf7\">Strategies<\/span> for Navigating Graduate School\u00a0chapter<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0on <\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #2d568b\">applying for external grants<span style=\"background-color: #d9edf7\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Download a\u00a0PDF version of this page\u00a0here. These frequently asked questions will be helpful to PhD students who are considering applying for the APSA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant. Eligibility Application Timing Grantees Application Resources Watch APSA webinars with updated information about the 2025 grant cycle\u00a0and\u00a0insights from past reviewers. Read the Strategies for Navigating Graduate School\u00a0chapter\u00a0on &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/faqs\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;FAQs &amp; Resources&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25307,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-26","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25307"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.apsanet.org\/ddrig\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}