Sesquicentennial Grant FAQs

General

  • Does my proposal need IRB approval prior to applying for this grant?

    No.

  • Who is the target audience for the proposals?

    Proposals are reviewed by a review committee which includes Vanderbilt University-employed faculty and staff. The names of the reviewers will be posted on the website by August 26th.

  • What are the reporting requirements and processes?

    Grantees are required to submit an annual report to the Office of the Chancellor. We will share specific reporting information and requirements once grants are awarded.

  • By what date do funds need to be used by?

    All funds need to be used within 24 months after they are awarded.

  • May I reapply if I do not receive funding in the first application round?

    Yes. Individuals and teams who are not awarded funding in the first application round are encouraged to apply in subsequent application rounds. Individuals and teams who are unsuccessful will receive feedback from the review committee so they may revise any future applications should they apply again in the future.

  • Who receives feedback after the proposals are submitted and winners are selected?

    Each applicant will receive feedback from the review committee whether or not they receive funding.

  • What support is available for graduate or professional students?

    Graduate student payments, including stipends and fees may be covered. Funds cannot be used to cover tuition or financial aid.

  • What dollar amount should I consider when requesting to hire a student assistant?

    Student compensation is a school-based standard and also varies by student status (undergraduate, professional or graduate). Please consult your FUM, HCM specialist, department administrator or Dean’s office.

  • What guidelines should be followed when hiring student assistants?

    Department administrators and HCM specialists should be engaged during the student hiring process to make sure all university and department policies are followed. Funds may not be used for the following:

    • Graduate student recruiting
    • Graduate students’ professional development cost or programs
    • Student tuition or financial aid
  • What should the budget look like?

    Applicants must use the budget template available in InfoReady. By using this template, applicants can show the amount requested and the itemized estimated expenses. The template should also be used to track the actual expenses throughout the grant cycle. There is also a section in the application where applicants are asked to provide a detailed description of how funds will be used.

  • How long after applying will I hear about my application?

    Awards will be announced on October 24, 2022, for the Fall 2022 application cycle. For the Spring 2023 application cycle, awards will be announced on March 20, 2023.

  • I have a question that is not answered here. Who can I contact to discuss my question?

    Please email 150grant@vanderbilt.edu.

  • What is Vanderbilt University’s mission statement?

    Vanderbilt University is a center for scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, and service to the community and society at large.

Eligibility

  • Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

    Vanderbilt faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to apply for this grant. The proposal lead must be a Vanderbilt University-employed faculty or staff member.

  • I am a student. How can I apply for this grant if I am not a Vanderbilt-employed faculty or full-time staff member?

    Students are welcome and encouraged to apply for this grant and must identify a Vanderbilt University-employed faculty or staff member who will sponsor and advise their work. The faculty or staff member will need to serve as the lead applicant for the application in InfoReady.

  • I am an alumnus. How can I apply for this grant if I am not a Vanderbilt-employed faculty or staff member?

    Alumni are welcome and encouraged to apply for this grant and must identify a Vanderbilt University-employed faculty or staff member who will sponsor their work. The faculty or staff member will need to serve as the lead applicant for the application in InfoReady.

  • Is this grant available to research (non-tenure-track) faculty?

    Yes, all full-time VU-faculty are eligible to apply.

  • What are the parameters regarding teamwork with VUMC faculty?

    All funding must be expensed by Vanderbilt, however, VUMC faculty are welcome to be members on the proposal team.

  • Can VUMC faculty apply for the Sesquicentennial grant?

    Yes, VUMC faculty can apply, but they must have a Vanderbilt University-employed faculty or staff on their team to manage the funds. All funding must be expensed through Vanderbilt University's ERP system, Oracle Cloud.

  • Can VUMC faculty use the funds to hire temporary staff to support their project?

    Yes, VUMC faculty, with a Vanderbilt University co-applicant, can hire temporary staff via the Vanderbilt University VTS process. The VTS hiring process must go through the Vanderbilt University-employed faculty or staff department. The funds cannot be used for temporary staff hired directly by VUMC.

  • Can VUMC faculty use the funds for VUMC staff salary to support their project?

    No.

Funding Uses

  • Are there any restrictions on how funds may be used? If so, what are the restrictions?

    Yes, there are restrictions to how these grant funds may be used. Unallowable uses generally include:

    • Tuition or financial aid support for students
    • Faculty salaries
    • Course buyout
  • May funds be used for course buyout?

    No.

  • May funds be used for staffing?

    Funds may be used to hire part-time staff, technical staff, or student staff.

  • May funds be used to hire student workers?

    Yes.