Frequently Asked Questions

Source: https://www.aucegypt.edu/research/faculty-support-grants/faqs Parent: https://www.aucegypt.edu/research/faculty-support-grants

When I click on submit, I receive an error note. What does it mean?

Make sure of the following:

Use the latest version of Google Chrome or Internet Explorer when accessing this system.
When you fill out the online application, consider the following:
The total fund number should not contain a comma; the dollar sign $, or any special character except a period
The file size should be less than three MB
The file name should not be long and should not contain special characters, such as a comma
The file format can be PDF, XLS or Word

I want to apply for a grant to access a library/lab abroad. Which application form should I fill out, and what is the amount of funding I can receive?

If your travel is part of a research project, you may apply for a research support grant. In this case, expenses related to your professional trip should not exceed 40 percent of the total awarded fund. If your trip is part of the project to enhance teaching practices or courses across the University, you may apply for the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Support Grant. Similarly, expenses related to your professional trip should not exceed 40 percent of the total awarded fund.

I have been granted a research fund for this year, and I wish to apply for a conference grant as well. Would that be possible?

Yes, eligible faculty members may simultaneously apply to different grant types.

Is a visa fee included in the travel allowance in research or conference grants?

Yes, visa fees are covered.

I am applying for a conference grant in which I am not delivering a paper or giving any presentations. Can I still receive this grant under the new system?

Eligibility to conference travel grants requires the applicant to be an active participant in the conference. This includes activities such as delivering a paper, leading a workshop, chairing a session/panel, giving a presentation and/or a speech, or exhibiting creative work. If the applicant will not be actively participating in the conference, then he/she is not eligible.

An AUC faculty colleague and I have been working together on a presentation for a conference abroad. Can we both apply for the same conference?

No. Only one presenter can apply for that conference.

How many conferences I can apply to per year?

You can apply to multiple conferences as long you don’t exceed the maximum allowed fund, and given that you do not submit more than one application per cycle.

Check the intramural grants guidelines here for eligibility criteria. If you are eligible and you still can’t log in to the system, send an email to intramural.grants@aucegypt.edu.

I have incorrect information on the homepage, what should I do?

Send an email to intramural.grants@aucegypt.edu.

What do you mean by retroactive applications?

The definition of retroactive funding is any expenditure incurred prior to the start date of the grant stated in the counter-signed agreement. This means that an applicant is not allowed to perform any activity or pay for any expense related to the grant before signing the grant agreement and receiving the funds. The only exception to this rule is the registration fee associated with Conference Travel Grants.

Reading the description of the Departmental Research Committee (DRC), it seems to me that each member of the committee is asked to hand in his or her review separately. Is that correct? If so, then what is the role of the committee?

Each DRC member shall review the applications independently. There is no collective role for the committee. Applications will be accepted or rejected based on the scores and recommendations of all reviewers.

I have a multi-year research project. Can I apply for a two years funding in the application?

Yes, you can state this in the application. The duration of proposals can be approved for a maximum of three years, and funding is provided at the beginning of every fiscal year based on the progress reports submitted for the project.

When must a grant application for a conference that is taking place in June be submitted?

It is advisable to submit your application as early as possible to avoid falling into the retroactive funding category. See the cycle deadlines here. It is noteworthy that applying for a conference travel grant does not require the submission of an acceptance letter from the conference early on. Providing the acceptance letter is only required at the final stage of approval of the grant.

Can I request funding to attend two conferences taking place in the same month? There are two conferences in June at which I would like to present my research paper. The two conferences are in two different places.

No, the guidelines state that you cannot submit more than one conference travel grant application per cycle.

I see two separate categories when it comes to budget research assistants. Is it correct that there are two different budget categories for research assistants (RAs)?

The rule that stated that the personnel category could not exceed 60% is longer valid. Funds allocated to research projects can now be solely dedicated to personnel, if necessary. Regardingundergraduate RA funding, if you choose to include undergraduate RAs in your research, you may request an extra fund of up to $500 per student per year (for a maximum of three students). In this case, the maximum allowed fund will be $11,500 per year (instead of $10,000 per year).

I have submitted an application for a conference grant; however, the conference will take place before receiving the award letter. Can I buy the ticket and attend the conference? This is not a retroactive application but rather an overlap situation.

Any activity done (paid for) prior to receiving the award letter is considered retroactive funding. Retroactive funding is not allowed as per faculty support grants' guidelines. If for any reason, none of the available cycles cater to the timing of the conference, you may consider submitting an off-cycle application.

If my research project involves human subjects, do I need to apply to and/or receive the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before I submit my Faculty Research Support Grant application or at some point before funds are actually "awarded"

You can submit your application on time before receiving the IRB's approval; however, AP-RIC approval will not be granted before you obtain and submit the IRB's approval.

How to hire a research assistant?

Hiring research assistants takes place through the department. Kindly check the details of the process with the relevant department assistant.