MPES Research Funding Suggestions
MPES Funds can be used for (but are not limited to):
- Conference registration & conference travel expenses
- Trainings/workshops/seminars related to their research
- Undergraduate research assistants
- Cash advances to pay research participants (See the SESP resource page for how)
- Transcription fees
- Technology items including laptops IF they can be directly related to the fellow’s research & the fellows returns them before graduation
- Books with the same caveats as technology
- Equipment for Research such as recorders or cameras or HD drives are acceptable (but must be returned to MPES/SESP at the end of the project)
- Software necessary for fellow’s research
MPES Funds cannot be used for:
- Books that are not related to research specifically (eg. textbooks for courses)
- Laptops/other technology items that are not related to research (eg. general use laptop)
- Journal memberships UNLESS purchased with a conference registration (because they generally make the conference registration cheaper)
- Memberships of any kind UNLESS making a conference registration cheaper
- Advertising and public relation costs (with specific exceptions)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Alumni activities
- Bad debts
- Commencement costs
- Contributions and donations
- Entertainment
- Fines and penalties
- Goods and services for personal use
- Housing and personal living expenses
- Interest, fund raising and investment management costs
- Lobbying
- Memberships in country clubs, social, dining, or civic organizations
- Marketing