Student RSCA Fellowship FAQ

Last updated on 08/16/2023

Student Questions

• Why should I apply for the SRF?

  • The SRF is a great way to get paid for your work and gain a deeper understanding of your faculty mentor's field of study. It is a great opportunity to network, meet others, and showcase your skills. It also looks great on a resume! 

• My faculty advisor told me to look at the RFP for the R&I SRF. What is an RFP? 

  • RFP is the common acronym for Request for Proposals. The information posted to the SJSU InfoReady represents our RFP for the R&I SRF. The RFP contains all the information on the fellowship, eligibility, and the application review criteria.

• Is it only possible to apply for the R&I SRF if the faculty member currently has a research grant? 

  • No. In previous application cycles, this was a requirement. This is no longer the case. Faculty undertake diverse research projects that do not require extramural or internal funding. Your faculty mentor must confirm that they will oversee your research project.

• I am a student, currently working as part of a team. Can I include other team members as part of my application?

  • No. The R&I SRF can only be applied for by individual students, not groups. This means that you can apply, and so can any other student working on the same project, but the award will be made on an individual basis only.

• Was the R&I SRF previously called something different?

  • Yes. In previous years the R&I SRF has been known as the Student RSCA Grant Initiative (SRGI) and the Undergraduate Research Grant (URG).

• Who can apply to the SRF?

  • The R&I SRF is open to both graduate and undergraduate students who are currently matriculated at SJSU and will remain so through the end of the grant period. 

• Is the R&I SRF only available to students in STEM-related fields?

  • No. The R&I SRF is open to undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines. 

• Do I have to attend the monthly mentoring sessions, or are they optional?

  • Attendance at the monthly mentoring sessions is a requirement of this program. 
    
    If your application is successful, you will be required to attend the monthly mentoring sessions. Your faculty mentor will attend some of these sessions with you to further aid in your development and growth. There are some joint, required assignments.
    
    If you or your faculty mentor cannot commit to these meetings and activities, then this program may not be a good fit.

• Is an in-text citation or a reference list required for the R&I SRF application? If so, is there a specific format to be followed?

  • There is no request for citations. Please reference the applicant guide to know what to expect when completing the application via InfoReady.

• I am graduating this coming May: am I eligible to apply for the R&I SRF given that the grant term is for the following academic year? 

  • SJSU is only able to pay students who are currently matriculated. If you will not be a student through May of the following academic year, you are ineligible to apply for the R&I SRF.

• I will be joining SJSU this Fall: am I eligible to apply for the R&I SRF?

  • In order to apply for this initiative you must be a current SJSU student. The R&I SRF is offered annually, so you will be able to apply for the next cycle.

• Can I rejoin the SRF if I have already been in the program before?

  • Yes. You may reapply for the program and participate multiple times. Please note that the evaluating committee may consider prior participation as part of their selection process.

• I am almost done with my application but I noticed that there is no guideline for word count.

  • If you have followed the requirements of the RFP and completed the required application to the best of your ability, then your application should be ready. 

• Since this is a fellowship, will I receive a $3,000 check at the beginning of the program?

  • No. The term fellowship is used to show the award goes with you, the applicant, and cannot be transferred to another student. Student payment occurs monthly for hours worked. The award money gets transferred to your department, and your faculty mentor will need to work with their department admin to hire you. Once you are hired, you will enter your hours in SJSU @ Work. 

Faculty Questions

• My RSCA project is not currently funded by SJSU. Are my students still eligible to apply?

  • Yes. The former requirement of extramural or internal funding has been eliminated.

• I am working with a student in my college who is in a different department. For the department chair signature, should I ask my department chair or my student's department chair?

  • Since you are the mentoring faculty member and the student is supporting your RSCA, please have your department chair sign it. 
    
    Please ensure that the student makes their own department aware of the application, but no signature is required.

• How many students can I have in the program?

  • You may have up to two students at a time in the Fellowship. There is no limit to how many students you can pass through the program.

• Is it okay if just my student attends the monthly mentoring sessions?

  • No. It is required that both the student and the faculty mentor attend these sessions and complete the activities jointly.

    Faculty will be required to attend a faculty mentor session and a joint student-faculty session in August and oral presentations in November and March. Faculty should also expect to support their student's poster at the April Celebration of Research by being present.

• Can I use the money for supplies or equipment?

  • No. This money can only be used for student travel/conference fees and student pay.

Budget Questions

• I am a student applicant and have noticed that we can allot a budget for Student Salary. Does that refer to me, or can it be someone else?

  • The fellowship funds go to benefit you as the student applicant only - no other students may be supported with these fellowship funds.

• How much can students be paid?

  • Students should be paid at least San Jose's minimum wage. However, faculty may elect to pay students at a higher wage.

• We would like to include support to present research findings at a major conference, either virtually or in person. Is it permissible to subsidise travel through this program, or should we seek other funding? 

  • Yes, the maximum award of $3,000 may be used for student salary and professional travel. Please note that the travel is for the student only. 

    In your justification, please indicate the cost of your conference.