MT-IGO grants are expected to serve as "seed money" to generate preliminary data or provide dissemination and/or performance opportunities for research and creative activity proposals to be submitted to external granting agencies. It is crucial that grant seekers provide a compelling case for why MT-IGO should award them their requested funds. In addition, applicants must also provide justification for each item in their budget proposal.

Limit

Equipment, Supplies and Operations Costs

MT-IGO supports funding for equipment that is needed for research. MT-IGO will consider funding the purchase or rental of any item(s) that cannot be provided by your department that are necessary to carry out your project. Include a letter from your department chair stating that departmental funds are unavailable for the proposed purchases or rental. The committee may decline to fund purchases that can be awarded through other grants or that are traditionally acquired by faculty personally. If you are granted funds to purchase equipment, it should remain the property of MTSU for future departmental use. Note: Laptops/computers are not considered fundable, necessary items by the MT-IGO committee. 

Personnel and Student Researchers

MT-IGO will consider funding additional personnel (i.e., undergraduate or graduate students, outside consultant, etc.) necessary to complete your project. Student workers will be paid through MTSU payroll.  

• Outside consultants or others providing services will need to submit an invoice to the MT-IGO office.
  Note: Services provided by outside consultants that will cost more than $500 must have a service contract completed before services are contracted. For more information please contact the MTSU Contracts Office.
• All MTSU personnel funded by the grant must be paid through the MTSU payroll.
• Students are hired as student workers and paid on an hourly wage. MT-IGO awards do not pay tuition and GA stipends. Those are awarded through departments and follow guidelines within Graduate Studies.

Applicants are urged to help undergraduate collaborators apply for funding through the Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity program.  More information and application procedures are available at the Undergraduate Research Center. 

Travel Funds

1. MT-IGO will consider funding travel necessary to carry out your project.
2. Faculty must complete and submit travel authorizations, travel claims, and any other necessary paperwork with the university's Travel Office, just as they do with all other university-related travel. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs must approve the travel authorizations and travel claims in addition to other necessary approvers.
3. Travel to conferences or seminars are not eligible for funding.

Applicants are urged to help undergraduate collaborators apply for travel funding through URECA.  Graduate students may request for travel assistance through the College of Graduate Studies travel fund.

For research projects needing microscopy-related services, please remember to add the total hourly fees to the budget estimate. For more information on fees and facilities of MIMIC, please visit the website.