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RAG

Research and Grants Committee

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• RAG Committee Members
• Travel Policy
• Awards and Funding Limits
• Research and Equipment Funds
• Submitting a Request
• List of Fund Recipients

Forms

• Travel Exception Form
• Other RAG forms 

2007* Committee Membership

• Chip Ettinger, Psychology, Chair*
• Vacant, English, Art, or Music (contact Chair if you'd like to volunteer)
• Joe Corsini , Biology
• David Dutto , Education
• Jeff Johnson, Philosophy, Politics, & Economics

Travel Reimbursement Policy and Priorities

The Research and Grants (RAG) Committee was established to develop funding policies and to disperse Faculty Development Funds to all faculty regardless of rank, tenure, or appointment status. Because funding will always be at a level below faculty requests, the committee attempts to follow the reimbursement guidelines described below. In addition to these funding priorities, faculty will be limited to an annual (July 1 thru June 30) allocation of $2000.00. However, because of the increasing number of requests and our limited funding, most awards will not exceed $1500. See "Submitting a Request" below.

1. The highest priority will be to reimburse faculty travel to national meetings, conferences, or shows where the faculty will present original scholarly work. This would include, but not be limited to, the presentation of papers, presenting posters, invited addresses, shows, or performances of original scholarship. Research and Grants will reimburse 100% of the costs of travel, lodging, registration fees, and per diem.

2. The second level of priority will be to reimburse faculty travel to state and regional meetings, conferences, or shows where faculty will present original scholarly work. This would include, but not be limited to, the presentation of papers, presenting posters, invited addresses, shows, or performances of original scholarship. Research and Grants will reimburse 100% of the costs of travel, lodging, registration, and per diem for these activities.

3. The third level of priority will be to reimburse faculty who make contributions to professional organizations, but do not meet the criteria outlined above. This would include, but not be limited to, presenting at workshops, and making presentations on teaching innovations and applications.  Because of the limited amount of funding available, these requests may be held until late in the academic year to ensure funding for higher priority activities. Typically applicants can expect funding of about 80% for these activities.
4. The Research and Grants Committee will also consider applications for funding activities not described above. These include, but are not limited to, travel related to holding offices in professional organizations, travel related to receiving an award, travel related to research activity (libraries at other intuitions, etc.), publication costs, research materials and equipment expenses, travel by invitation to present original work, and other expenses related to professional activity. However, these requests may be held until late in the academic year to ensure funding for higher priority activities.

5. The Research and Grants Committee also recognizes the importance of attending professional meetings, conferences, and shows when presentations are not made. This category would also include travel related to certification and training. Research and Grants recommends reimbursement of 70% of the costs of travel, lodging, registration fees, and per diem when the criteria above do not apply. However, because of the limited amount of funding available, these requests will not be funded this academic year.

Activity not typically funded by RAG

   1.  Travel with students to shows, museums, or other field trips

   2.  Travel to attend meetings, conferences, or shows where no professional contributions are made

   3.  Travel related to meeting continuing education requirements or certification

   4.  Travel related to student recruitment or institutional promotion

   5.  Travel to solicit or interview job candidates

Notes: 
Clearly, activity may fall into several of the above categories. The Research and Grants Committee will review requests to determine both the level of scholarship and the level of activity as reimbursement decisions are made. Please feel free to contact members of the RAG comittee for clarification or questions related to travel reimbursement.

The Faculty Development Fund was created out of monies allocated to Eastern for the recruitment and the retention of tenure track faculty, thus the restrictions on their use. Faculty Development Funds cannot be used by members of the EOU classified staff or administration.

Because of the high demand for professional development funds, RAG may have to adjust these funding levels during the academic year. We recommend that you plan professional travel early and submit your request several months prior to your travel.  Requests may be submitted prior to having a paper accepted. Funds will be held until your paper has been accepted.

Research and Equipment Funds

The Research and Grants Committee also funds equipment costs and other costs associated with research (see number 5 above).  Allocations for equipment and research expenses are included in the $1500 limit described below.  When requesting funds for equipment, submit a brief description of your research project along with a budget.

Awards and Funding Limits

• RAG will typically not award more than $1500 to any faculty member during an academic year (July 1-June 30). Exceptions may be made when there is a fund balance at the end of the year.

• RAG will attempt to distribute funds to as many faculty as possible each year. Second and third requests from faculty may be held back until late in the year to ensure this.  If you submit requests for more than one activity, be sure to indicate which is your highest priority so it will be considered first. As well, results from prior professional travel will be taken into consideration.  For example, if you have received awards for several years and regularly publish your presented work you will receive a higher funding priority than those who do not publish work that was presented at previous meetings or shows. To assist the commitee submit a list of recent publications along with your request.

Submitting a RAG Request

• Submit your request well before you plan to travel. There is no guarantee that a request submitted after travel will be funded.
  
• Travel reimbursement requests may be submitted to the Chair at any time during the academic year. Please use the Request for Professional Travel forms downloadable from this site or available from your area office. RAG provides travel reimbursement, not travel advances.  
  
• If you are presenting original research or scholarship, describe what you've done.  If your presentation has been accepted, attach a copy of the acceptance letter.  If acceptance is pending you may still request travel funds, but we will hold them until we receive notice of acceptance.  
  
• RAG funds the cost of travel (airfare + ground to PDX or BOI).  For mileage amounts, use 518 mi X .585 for PDX ($303.03) and 350 mi X .585 for BOI ($204.75).  Rental car, parking, and taxi expenses will not be reimbursed.  You should purchase airline tickets early to take advantage of discounts (e.g., see www.travelocity.com or expedia.com) for estimates. 
  
• Per Diem for meals and lodging should be calculated according to the rates adopted by OUS. The current meal rate is $45.00 per day. The lodging rate is up to $96.00 per night. Receipts for lodging will be required for reimbursement.
  
• If registration fees apply, indicate the amount. You will need a receipt for reimbursement.
  
• The amounts entered on your form may be best estimates available at the time of request. The amount awarded will be determined by RAG and forwarded to your area secretary for reimbursement. After your travel, complete a Travel Reimbursement Request form and submit it to your area secretary for approval.  Complete forms take about a week to get processed in the budget office.
  

If you have any questions about RAG or our funding policies please do not hesitate to contact  ettinger@eou.edu