Teams should consist of a minimum of two Ohio State researchers, including, ideally, at least one graduate student. Researchers will ideally be from distinct university units and scientific disciplines, and the lead Principal Investigator (PI) must be an Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor tenure-track faculty, equivalent-rank research faculty, or clinical/practice-track faculty member engaged in research. Co-Investigators can be Ohio State faculty, graduate students, research staff and/or post-docs. All team members must be affiliates of C-SPAM (become an affiliate by completing this affiliation form).

Researchers can apply for multiple C-SPAM Seed Grants per fiscal year but can only serve as lead PI on one project. 

To apply for a C-SPAM Seed Grant, complete and submit the online application form. 

As part of the form, you will be asked to upload the three documents listed below. The requirements for each are detailed here.

1. Project proposal
   • Title page (1 page):
     • Project title
     • Name, rank and unit affiliation of PI and all co-investigators
     • Amount of funding sought (up to $7,500)
   • Project narrative (2 pages, single-spaced): 
     • Provide a summary of the proposed research project and clearly explain its rationale and methods.
     • Describe how the project connects to the issues of polarization and misinformation, as well as its potential for impact in the field.
     • Describe how the project would incorporate multiple scientific disciplines and the importance of this interdisciplinarity to the research.
     • Briefly describe the experience and expertise of the proposed team members as it relates to the research topic.
     • Describe all activities that the C-SPAM Seed Grant would support and indicate how these will position the research team and project for future funding.
     • Provide a timeline of planned activities, including milestones.
     • References may be included and do not count toward the page limit.
        
2. Budget (1 page)
   • Provide a detailed budget outlining all anticipated allowable expenses and the allocation of C-SPAM Seed Grant funds.
   • If the budget for the proposed project exceeds the maximum award ($7,500), be sure to indicate the source of the additional funds.
      
3. Budget justification (1 page)
   • Explain each category of expense.

• Data collection
• Materials or supplies
• Limited travel expenses (not to exceed $2,000)
• Conference registration fees
• Publication fees
• Undergraduate research assistant salary
• Other costs approved by C-SPAM on a case-by-case basis

• Faculty/post-doc/graduate student salary or stipend support
• Facilities and administrative costs
• Equipment
• Travel expenses in excess of $2,000
• Other work or costs that are already supported by Ohio State, state or federal funds

Applications will be evaluated by an appointed committee. Scores will be based on the extent to which proposals meet the following criteria:

1. Proposed Research
   • Proposed research has scientific merit and significance
   • Demonstrates a clear connection to the topics of polarization and misinformation
   • Demonstrates an interdisciplinary scientific approach
      
2. Planned Activities
   • Tailored to the unique needs of the team and project development
   • Improve the project’s position for future funding opportunities
   • Can be accomplished in a one-year project periods
      
3. Team
   • Includes researchers with distinct areas of expertise
   • Researcher backgrounds are sufficiently diverse to generate innovative approaches within the proposed project
   • All team members are adequately integrated into the project and planned activities
      
4. Budget

   • Justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed activities

      

Over the 12-month award period, grant recipient teams are required to participate in the activities they propose and meet with the C-SPAM faculty director approximately 6 months after receiving their award to check in on progress. Within 30 days after the project end date, teams are required to submit a budget expenditure report and a ~2-page final report. A final report template and additional details will be provided. 

Additionally, awarded teams are encouraged to present their project progress during a C-SPAM affiliate meeting within a year of grant fund disbursement.

Questions? Contact C-SPAM Faculty Director Kurt Gray (gray.1750@osu.edu) or Marketing and Communications Associate Lauren Pond (pond.71@osu.edu).