Find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about UNO's FUSE and GRACA awards.
Proposals will be evaluated to ensure compliance with the program and guidelines. Proposals not adhering to the guidelines will not be considered for funding.
There is no set review date, but we estimate that proposals will be reviewed within 30 working days of submission. During times of higher volume, turnaround times may be longer.
Regardless of when the proposal is funded, no funds will be released until students attend a mandatory orientation meeting, sign and route a contract, and submit any necessary compliance approvals.
Stipend funds are only released May, June, July, and August OR February, March, April, and May for students graduating in the Spring semester of the current academic year.
It is often the case that a particular research project is part of a much larger research investigation. However, FUSE and GRACA are structured to fund one student/one project. One possibility would be for the three of you to identify three projects that complement one another (one for each student), and then apply separately.
Note that each proposal will be reviewed separately and will need to be stand-alone. There will be no advantage (nor disadvantage) conferred on your project because it is part of a much larger-scale investigation.
You should start the process as soon as possible. The IRB process takes time. In the past, there have been students who received internal funding and were not able to begin their project because they did not obtain IRB approval in time.
Approval must be received by May 1. Failure to submit approval by May 1 will result in forfeiture of your award.
No, you cannot receive academic credit for any FUSE or GRACA project.
Only one faculty member can be identified as a "mentor" to work with the student and must meet the guidelines. However, others may assist the student on the project.
No. FUSE mentors must be UNO faculty members, though they need not be tenured. GRACA mentors must be members of the graduate faculty.
- Start and end date
- Week-by-week description of activities
- Stages, steps, or phases to your project
- External deadlines or constraints that may influence your project
Also, consider whether or not your timeline is realistic.
Please use: The University of Nebraska at Omaha Office of Research and Creative Activity
An essential part of research and creative activity is dissemination. This is why presenting at RCAF is a requirement. If for some reason, you are unable to present at RCAF, you will need to disseminate your project through a journal article or professional organization presentation, with the outcome of this dissemination reported back to your mentor and the Office of Research and Creative Activity.
Budget Questions
A budget justification explains why each item in the budget is needed to accomplish the scholarly work proposed in the project description. It is important to make certain that everything included in the project description that requires funding is listed in your budget and is explained in your budget justification.
If you request any equipment, you must explain why existing UNO equipment and resources (such as the library and information services rental programs) are not sufficient.
The laptop and other items you purchase with FUSE or GRACA funds are property of UNO and will remain at the university after you complete your project.
Purchasing books for your project because Criss Library does not own them is allowable, but we encourage students and faculty to exhaust all other potential resources first. In most cases, the Library can order/purchase the books you need within two weeks of your mentor's request.
Your mentor will work with their department's library liaison to do this. The Library also has a Special Loan Privilege form that you and your mentor can complete in order for you to keep a check-out book longer than the usual loan period.
Learn more about the Library's Special Loan Privilege.
Yes. However, you may only use your funds to purchase cards if you have final approval from the IRB to do so. You will need to upload not only your IRB approval letter into MavGrants, but also your IRB protocol authorizing the use of gift cards. The title on the protocol and the letter must match the title of your funded project.
No. You may not rebudget from your materials/supplies, operating costs, or travel budget to your stipend (or the reverse) after you are awarded. Rebudgeting within the materials/supplies, operating costs, and travel categories are acceptable with written permission from your mentor and approval from the Office of Research and Creative Activity.
Yes. If the entire award amount is needed for project expenses, the project budget may exclude the student stipend.
We cannot speak to specific situations, but strongly recommend that you contact Student Financial Services if you are concerned. 402.554.2327 or unofinaid@unomaha.edu.