UNK's Research Services Council provides research opportunities to graduate students

Graduate programs at UNK place an emphasis on student participation in research and creative activity. Whether in places like a laboratory or an archive, UNK students can pursue almost any original research or creative activity project.  

However, for most graduate students, one of the biggest hurdles encountered in any type of research can often be funding—for travel, for equipment, for source acquisition, etc.  

The Research Services Council (RSC), through partnership with the Office of Graduate Studies & Academic Outreach, has a solution for problems like this in the form of graduate student support.  

The RSC is a group designed to promote the research and creative activity of UNK faculty and graduate students. Four representatives from the College of Arts & Sciences, two representatives from the College of Business & Technology, and two representatives from the College of Education make up the council. The Calvin T. Ryan Library also contributes a member, and the council has a chairperson in the form of the Director of Research Services.  

“Members of the RSC are always willing to help,” Dr. Scott Darveau, Director of Research Services and chemistry professor, said.

While many of their programs aim to assist UNK faculty, the RSC provides support programs for graduate students, too.  

The two primary support programs for graduate students through the RSC include travel support to conferences or other events where students present their research or creative activity and support for that research or creative activity, which often pertains to their degree programs. 

Through partnership with the Office of Graduate Studies & Academic Outreach, the RSC grants up to $300 for students who apply for the Graduate Student Conference Presentation Program to put towards their travel expenses and up to $500 for those who apply for the Graduate Student Research Program to put towards their research expenses.  

Programs also need to have financial support from the student’s home department or the student themselves.  

While financial support serves as a primary motive for applying for the RSC Graduate Student Support Programs, students also have an opportunity to hone another critical research skill.  

“There are multiple reasons for a graduate student to apply,” Darveau said. “First and foremost, the financial support, however small, still offsets the cost of [student] travel and/or research projects. Second, a student can gain experience in seeking funding through grant applications, which requires them to describe their research or creative activity plans in a concise way. This practice can lead toward larger grant applications and better communication about their work.” 

The RSC has supported proposals from graduate students in the past to attend a variety of conferences, including those with a focus on history and biology. They have also assisted in the support of travel to acquire primary sources from different libraries and in the support of equipment purchases for laboratory studies.  

The Graduate Student Support Programs are open to all graduate students. Students can submit applications for these grants at any time; there is a rolling deadline. However, if students are seeking funding for travel support, they are asked to submit their applications at least one month prior to the trip. 

“I highly encourage all applicants to work closely with their faculty mentor and for both [graduate student and faculty mentor] to work with the Director or a member of RSC to ensure their application is correct,” Darveau said.  

Students can access the application via NuRamp. Adherence to the guidelines is vital for an application to be reviewed, as only those that are completed correctly will receive consideration from the RSC. Directions for the application process can also be found under the RSC’s Apply page.  

Having the opportunity to further collaborate with UNK staff and faculty, to receive additional funding for research projects, and to better one’s communication and grant-writing skills make the Research Services Council a valuable resource for graduate students.  

And if students have any questions about the process, the types of projects, or the programs, “You need only ask,” said Darveau.