Sonoma State University

Internal Funding

A top priority for ORSP is stimulating and supporting the growth of research, scholarship, and creative activities (RSCA). As such, we provide support for and information on various internal funding opportunities available on campus. Below you can find more information on the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Program (RSCAP).

Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Program (RSCAP) Funding Overview

The goal of the RSCAP is to support all faculty – including Lecturers, Tenure Track and Tenured Faculty, Librarians, Coaches and Counselors – as well as students (both graduate and undergraduate) - in pursuing diverse research, scholarship and creative activities. The RSCAP supports faculty to remain current in disciplines, pursue new ways to enrich student learning, and contribute knowledge that will strengthen California socially, culturally, and economically. With the support of resources from the California State Legislature, SSU's Office of the Provost, and SSU's Instrucitonally Related Activties Program (IRS), ORSP is able to offer a significant number of RSCAP awards.

There are two mechanisms for RSCAP awards: Mini-Grants and Summer Fellowships. Applicants must follow the guidelines in the Request for Proposals and submit via SSU's InfoReady. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their Faculty Subcommittee on Scholarly Activities (FSSA) School Representative and ORSP concerning project eligibility, grant writing education resources, and proposal development. The FSSA will evaluate Mini-Grants and Fellowship proposals, and make funding recommendations to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

If you wish to find more information regarding the RSCAP application and review process, please see below for an informational slidedeck provided by the FSSA.

Please contact Nicole Hannah, Post-Award Manager, at (707) 664-4423 or nicole.hannah@sonoma.edu for any questions regarding RSCAP.

RSCAP Informational slidedeck: 

ssu_rscap_info_session_2022-23.pdf (3.28 MB)

RCSAP Information Session Recording: 

 

Below is a breakdown of how Mini-Grant funding CAN and CANNOT be requested. 

You CAN request funding in the following ways:

  • Through basic or applied research (e.g., literature or archival search, data collection, data analysis), which could support the future preparation of an external grant proposal or final publication
  • Through acquisition of materials or supplies in support of creative projects (e.g., exhibit, artistic performance, development of new creative techniques).
  • Through other scholarly activities in your field
  • Undergraduate and graduate student salaries to work on your research; student travel to present the research.
  • Through requesting travel and equipment expenses, if the primary purpose of your travel is to collect data or do scholarly research and travel is integral to your proposed work

 You CANNOT request funding for the following:

  • Fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree.
  • Activities designed mainly for department or school programs or facilities.
  • Curriculum development (except as part of a project involving research, scholarship or creative activity).
  • Faculty assigned time or faculty stipends.
  • Meeting refreshments/hospitality.
  • Attendance at workshops or seminars focusing on the development of grant-writing skills.
  • Faculty travel to present and/or attend professional meetings

Mini Grant Funding level: Up to a maximum of $7,000 for proposals that include graduate and undergraduate student researchers; up to a maximum of $5,000 for proposals that do not include graduate and undergraduate student researchers).

Sample Narratives for Mini-Grants Proposals:

Summer Fellowships assist faculty with their efforts in disseminating scholarly activities to students through a variety of media and venues, and/or to prepare and submit grant and other external funding requests. Summer fellowships must be completed in the summer for a total of two weeks. Fellowships can be done on any of the following topics to be completed by Spring:

  • Prepare a research, scholarly or creative activity for publication
  • Prepare an external grant proposal
  • Prepare for a publicly reviewed conference, exhibition, performance, or creative activity         

Fellowship funding may not be requested for activities that fall under the mini-grant competition (See above). If fellowship funding is requested for time to finalize (not begin) data analysis or a creative activity, there must also be a plan for disseminating findings and/or products within the appropriate fellowship timeframe. 

  • Fellowship Funding - $5,000 Summer stipend (subject to normal tax withholding):

All Unit 3 faculty members are eligible

Sample Narratives for Summer Fellowships Proposals:

Career Impact in Research, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activity Award

In recognition of the essential links between active engagement in scholarship and excellence in teaching, the Career Impact in Research, Scholarship and/or Creative Activity Award recognizes a member of the faculty who exemplifies the teacher-scholar model over the course of their professional development at Sonoma State. The award provides this faculty member with funds to support their continued engagement in research, scholarship, and/or creative activity. 

In the 2024-2025 cycle, one recipient will receive a cash award of $2,500, conferred for excellence in scholarship, research, and/or creative activity. The funds may be used for any purpose that directly supports the scholarly or creative work of the faculty member. A report on use of funds is due to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) by June 2026. 

Appropriate expenses might include:

· Traveling to present research at conferences, to collect primary data, to do archival research, etc. (must comply with CSU travel policies)

· Funding undergraduate or graduate assistants

· Purchasing equipment and specialized supplies not normally available

· Other fully justified expenses may be considered at the discretion of ORSP


 

Excellence in RSCA Awardees:

  • AY 2023-24: Early Career Award - Nansong Wu, Ph.D. | Department of Engineering; Career Impact Award - Edward Lyon, Ph.D. | Curriculum Studies and Secondary Education
  • AY 2022-23: Dr. Stephen Bittner, Ph.D. | Department of History
  • AY 2021-22: Janet Berry Hess, Ph.D. | Hutchins School of Liberal Studies
  • AY 2020-21: Steve Estes, Ph.D. | Department of History
  • AY 2019-20: Matthew L. Clark, Ph.D. | Department of Geography, Environment, and Planning