Research Resources

Purpose

COE-IGO provides seed funding to develop competitive applications aimed at externally funded grants. The COE-IGO program supports the development of original research, scholarship, and creative activity in the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University.

Eligibility

All tenured and tenure-track faculty with appointments in the College Education may apply for COE-IGO funding. Eligible faculty may submit one application in any given review cycle. Faculty that have received funding within the last three years are not eligible.

Budget Considerations

Project budgets may not exceed $10,000. An overall project budget detailing expenses and activities is required. To remain in compliance with institutional finance policies, investigators should consult the College of Education Dean’s Office with budget questions. Projects will not involve subcontracts or budget transfers between academic units or institutions.

Timeline

Project proposals are due by the end of the day on May 16th, 2025. Awardees will be announced in June 2025. Funding will begin July 1st and end May 31st. All funds must be expended within the project period they are awarded. No-cost extensions are not permitted.

Submission Process

Complete your proposal using the COE-IGO template and email a PDF of your proposal document to the research coordinator (ryan.jones@mtsu.edu). Complete each section of the proposal template. Complete the budget details sheet and include in your proposal PDF. 

The principal investigator should identify the specific announcement from the external funding agency (e.g., NSF, IES, DOE, foundation, etc.) to which an application will be submitted at the completion of the COE-IGO award. 

IRB approvals are not required before application submission; however, approval must occur before the release of funds.

Review Process

A committee of COE faculty will review applications using the COE-IGO evaluation rubric. Applications will be ranked based on scoring and final funding decisions will be made by the Dean of COE.

Final Report

A final report must be submitted to the COE Research Coordinator at the conclusion of the project. The final report should include a summary of research results; extramural funding applications planned, submitted or funded; manuscripts published, submitted, or in preparation; and presentations at professional meetings. The final report must be submitted no later than 30 days after the latest project expiration date.

Applications for External Funding

Awardees are required to submit a proposal to an external funding agency within 12 months of the completion date of the COE-IGO project. Awardees are expected to work closely with the Middle Tennessee State University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to develop a timeline and gain the assistance needed to prepare the external application. Failure to comply may render the investigators ineligible for future funding through this program.

• The COE Education Research Committee is a college level standing committee composed of tenured and tenure track faculty. This committee works to build and sustain infrastructure to support research and creative activity within the College of Education. The COE Research Committee will be composed of 6 faculty (3 from each department) that serve in two-year terms. The committee is chaired by a tenured faculty in COE.
• The COE Research Committee will be guided by the following four charges:
  • Increase the visibility of research and creative activity being conducted by faculty and students in COE
  • Cultivate partnerships with schools, districts, and campus-based programs to support research and creative activity
  • Cultivate relationships with ORSP and IRB to communicate issues specific to the research being conducted by COE faculty
  • Provide professional development opportunities to support COE faculty in their research efforts

Contact your research coordinator if there is anything you need help with!

Ryan Seth Jones

The COE Research Coordinator supports faculty and student research by:

• Leading strategic efforts to promote and increase scholarship, creative work, and sponsored research; assist in cultivating faculty research; and work to develop innovative and collaborative initiatives.
• Working closely with the dean, program directors, faculty, and staff to establish and execute a strategic vision for research in COE. This strategic vision will include, but not be limited to plans for:
• Working to identify funding opportunities that support the range of faculty expertise within the college.
• Fostering research projects, providing guidance in proposal development and implementation, and acting as a liaison to University wide research, scholarship, and funding initiatives.
• Serving as the primary communications liaison between the college, ORSP, and research centers across campus.
• Representing the college on the Middle Tennessee State University Council for Sponsored Scholarship (UCSS).
• Chairing the COE Research Committee.

• The UCSS is dedicated to fostering and enhancing sponsored research and creative activity at MTSU. COE faculty can inform the COE Research Coordinator of issues that the UCSS should be aware of, or contact the UCSS leadership directly

• The mission of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is to support faculty, staff, and students in the pursuit of academic, scholarly, and creative excellence as they seek external funding, to provide leadership in matters of compliance and research ethics, and to create opportunities that elevate research and the creative arts on our campus in line with MTSU’s mission and to serve our community.

• The Undergraduate Research Center provides undergraduate students with opportunities to engage in mentored research.

• The URECA program provides grant opportunities to support student research at MTSU. These grants fund student stipends, materials, and travel.