Graduate Student Research Awards Request For Proposals

Request For Proposals (RFP) Due Date: March 1, 2020

Award Announcements: April 2, 2020

CJRC Graduate Proposal Submission Form

Financial support: $2000 summer funding

The CJRC Graduate Student Research Awards are designed to assist up to two graduate students to pursue independent research on a project related to criminal justice, criminology, law, or a related field. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (PCS) supports up to one award for a graduate student conducting research relevant to their mission.

  • The CJRC Director, Managing Director, Associate Director, and potentially the PCS Research Director will review Research Award proposals and determine awardees.
  • Funds are allocated as supplements for summer funding.
  • Faculty mentors are required to invest in the proposed project and advise student progress.

Criteria for Review

  • Priority is placed on innovative and novel ideas that are directly relevant to CJRC themes (Courts and Sentencing, Corrections and Re-Entry, Treatment and Rehabilitation, and Public Safety and Crime Prevention) or agency partnerships. Proposals in the area of courts and sentencing may also be eligible for support from the PA Commission on Sentencing.
  • A well-articulated plan of activities that promises progress toward the student’s graduate education and eventual research publication.
  • Proposals must provide evidence for access to the population of interest and/or criminal justice agency monitoring that population.
  • Proposals should demonstrate independent research where the student is the clear principal investigator. Collaborations are permitted, but the student submitting the proposal should clearly lead the research.

Structure and Submission of Proposals

Proposals must be submitted as one document via email to justicecenter@psu.edu. To complete your proposal submission, you must download, complete, and email the forms below:

CJRC Graduate Proposal Submission Form

Post Award Presentation

Awardees are expected to present progress toward their research during a Departmental Criminology Forum in the year following their award.