Graduate Research Awards

The family of John S. Tuckey, in order to honor his memory, has generously established the John S. Tuckey Graduate Research Award. The award memorializes a Purdue University Calumet faculty member, whos teaching of American literature and editing/publishing of Mark Twain texts were internationally acclaimed. Dr. Tuckey’s long and outstanding service to Purdue Calumet included headship of the Department of English/Philosophy and Assistant Dean of the Graduate School. His accomplishments were recognized when Purdue University conferred upon him the Hovde Distinguished Service Professorship.

The amount of the John S. Tuckey Graduate Research Award will be $1,500. An applicant must be either a regularly admitted, degree-seeking graduate student in the humanities at Purdue Northwest or a college senior who, during the year of the award, will be a fully admitted, degree-seeking graduate student in the humanities at Purdue University Northwest. The recipient must be enrolled in no fewer than three graduate-level credits per semester during the award period.

Recipients may apply the award to research expenses during the year following the announcement (Academic year 2024-25). Expenses may include (but not limited to) travel, food and lodging, photocopying or research materials. The University expects to acknowledge the support of Purdue University Northwest in any publication that emanates from the award.

The CHESS/Education Graduate Research Award of 2024-25 in the amount of $1,500 may be awarded to either a regularly admitted, degree-seeking graduate student in any department in the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (CHESS) or in the School of Education & Counseling, or a college senior who will be a fully admitted, degree-seeking graduate student for the academic year 2024-25 in any department in CHESS or in the School of Education & Counseling. The recipient must be enrolled in no fewer than three graduate credits per semester during the award period.

The award may be used for research expenses during the award period, including food, travel, research materials or photocopying, etc. Publications resulting from research supported by this award are expected to acknowledge the support of the campus in supporting the research.

The Graduate Studies Office also announces the availability of up to five (5) research grants in the sum of $750 each for the 2024-25 academic year.

If emailing digital packet, please show Grad Research 2024-25 in the subject line.

1. Letter of application, including name of faculty sponsor
2. Project proposal for research, including:
   • Title
   • Brief description of research project
   • Goals of project and significance
   • Project design or approach
   • Brief bibliography or literature review
   • Description of any previous research on this topic by applicant
3. Short biographical sketch of applicant
4. Two letters of recommendation from faculty (one of these may be the faculty sponsor)
5. Name and contact information for faculty member who will direct student’s research (faculty sponsor)
6. For the CHESS Award:  Budget estimates and justification for expenses directly related to the research project: Budgets may include a reasonable amount for travel, if directly related to the research. Other travel reimbursement may be sought through the system of travel grants for graduate students for approved academic presentations. Budgeted items may not include tuition, or payments for the student or faculty mentor. The Tuckey Award and the Grad Research Grants do not require submission of a budget.

Each application for an award must include all items listed above under “Requirements” for each award application. Applicants should submit PDF copies of each award application to Margaret (Peggy) Greer at the address below. Original letters of faculty recommendation may be submitted by hard copy, and scans of each letter may be attached to each PDF application.  If emailing a digital packet, please write Grad Research 2024-25 in the subject line.

There is no page limit on the application submitted. Each application should include adequate detail to allow the relevant award review committee to understand the research project and its significance in the discipline. If the application is based upon a thesis, do not submit the thesis in its entirety. The award proposal should be a more focused and concise summary of your research project and the items outlined above.

Proposals are evaluated by the relevant review committee on:

• Completeness of application (all required items submitted)
• Project eligibility
• Student eligibility
• Quality of proposal overall
• Budget/budget justification (reasonable permitted expenses, in type and amount), if a budget is required
• Goals and significance
• Project design/approach
• Bibliography/literature review
• Any previous research