FAQs - Internal Initiatives

• Salary and fringe information is variable based on individual and semester(s). 
• Budgeted faculty stipends/awards should include 8% for payroll taxes. 
• Actual cost of course buyout varies.
  • For internal buyouts funded via College of Arts & Sciences research initiatives please use $6,500 per three-credit course as a budget estimate. 
  • Course buyouts funded through external sources (such as federal grants) should be calculated at 10% of faculty base salary per three-credit course. Please reach out to Dean’s Office staff for budget guidance related to externally funded course buyouts. 

• Rates are established by the College of Arts & Sciences to maximize budget and number of projects funded. 
• UND Travel policies are available at Procurement and Payment Services. 
• Lodging: Up to 75% of maximum allowable rate based on current UND policy. 
• Meals: Up to 75% of maximum allowable rate based on current UND policy. 
• Airfare or Mileage: Up to 100% of actual cost allowable by UND policy. Faculty are expected to employ reasonable cost saving measures. 

Student Salary: 

• To be determined by project principal investigator. 
• PI/Home department is responsible for ensuring compliance with UND student employment policies including posting of position(s) as required.

Student Travel: 

• Up to 100% of actual cost allowable by UND policy. Students are expected to employ reasonable cost saving measures.
• UND Travel policies are available at Procurement & Payment Services. 

For initiatives that allow purchase of supplies/equipment:

• Items are paid at actual cost. 
• Faculty must work with University Information Technology (UIT) for approval to purchase computers, technology and software to ensure best pricing and UND-supported products. 

The awards are designed for College of Arts & Sciences Faculty, yet each award has specific delineation (see relevant pages). 

• Read the grant guidelines on eligible and ineligible expenditures. 
• If the expenditures aren’t allowable, the application won’t be considered.  

• Read the internal grant guidelines, notice of funding opportunity carefully, and related website materials carefully. 
• If a project does not fit within the specific guidelines, the application won’t be considered. 

• If the desired amount is beyond the maximum allowed, adjust the budget accordingly. 
• If the amount needed is below the minimum, find a grant more aligned with the project needs.

Follow the application criteria on the application page to develop a project idea. The application may not be considered if the criteria are not followed. Consider: 

• What is the scope of the project? 
• What are the methods for the project? 
• What is/are the objective(s) of the project? 
• Who will be involved in creating or building or completing the project? 
• What resources are needed? 
• How, exactly, are the grant funds intended to be used? 
  • Salary for yourself (PI/co-PI)? 
  • Salary for staff? 
  • Salary for students? 
  • Equipment, software, physical items? 
  • Rental of space or purchase of services? 
  • Other? 
• Is there intent to sell the project and/or charge people to attend (in the case of an event)?
• What is the data management plan? 
  • Is data available? 
  • How much data and of what type? 
  • Has server storage space been secured?
  • How will data be maintained and sustained? 
• Is there a prototype of the project (e.g. initial findings, small study, work sample)? 

Tailor the application narrative to the mission, initiatives, and guidelines of the application, addressing the request and whether it is for student support, research, or creative activity. 

Write the grant in clear, concise language that effectively communicates the project to an audience outside of a specific field or discipline. Avoid field specific jargon/language, as some reviewers may have experience in a specific field, however, this is not always the case. 

Have others read a draft of the application narrative. It can be beneficial to have those with no knowledge of the field/project read the narrative, as they can provide feedback if the ideas are being communicated effectively. 

Monday, Oct. 26, 2026: Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity, pending funding availability 

Friday, Oct. 30, 2026: Fine Arts & Humanities Award

Friday, Nov. 13, 2026: Joyce and Aqueil Ahmad Endowment

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2027: Research Seed Award, pending funding availability 

Friday, March 19, 2027: Itterman Professional Development

Friday, April 9, 2027: Hoekstra Leadership Award