Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants The Sociology Program awards dissertation improvement grants in order to support the highest quality doctoral dissertation research in sociology and related disciplines. Grants are for the direct costs of doing the research, including support of fieldwork away from the student's home campus and for more flexible acquisition and analysis of information than would otherwise be possible. Application is made on the student's behalf by the dissertation advisor. More information about the nature of dissertation grants, applicant eligibility, and proposal and grant processing is given in the announcement, Grants for Improving Doctoral Dissertation Research. Prospective applications are asked to note the following additional points related to submission of dissertation proposals to the Sociology Program: There are two submission deadlines each year: February 15 and October 15. Dissertation grants are normally for $7,500 or less. Funds are for expenses associated with conducting the dissertation research (e.g., field work, data collection, payment to subjects, survey expenses, software, microfilm, data transcription, travel, and expenses incurred at sites away from home institution). Stipend, salary and tuition reimbursement are not supported. Project funding of proposals selected in each evaluation may begin at the earliest on July 1 (for February 15 submissions) or on March 1 (for October 15 submissions). The Project Description is limited to 10 pages The dessertation advisor is the PI/PD and the student is the Co-PI/PD. Grants are normally awarded for 12 months. Do not sent transcripts and letters of recommendation. All proposals must be submitted electronically via Fastlane. Do not send signed cover sheet. For proposals involving human subjects, please be sure to submit the Human Subjects Certification form from the submitting institution. If the certification is pending, please include information to that effect. If it is ready at the time you submit, the institutional form certifying that your project has been approved should be scanned and incorporated in a pdf file in the supplementary documents section of the proposal. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ON FUNDING TO START THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS. All proposals must be submitted electronically via Fastlane. Patricia E. White pwhite@nsf.gov Beth A. Rubin brubin@nsf.gov Sociology Program, Suite 995 National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22230 Phone: (703) 292-8762 Fax: (703) 292-9195