SWCA - Research Funding

The SWCA Executive Board named this award after Dr. Christine Cozzens to recognize her contributions to the professional development of the organization, to the growth of the writing center field as a whole, and to the lives of her tutors and students. Dr. Cozzens and her Agnes Scott College writing tutors have been active members of the SWCA community for over 20 years and have long been providing the region with Southern Discourse, the only print publication among all writing center regionals. Additionally, Dr. Cozzens and her tutors have long been recognized as some of the strongest contributors to the writing center conversations that occur in the southeast and the country.

Up to $500 per semester. This may be $500 for one application/project or smaller increments for multiple projects. For example, the committee may award $250 apiece for 2 separate projects or $300 for one project and $200 for a second project, etc.

• The selection committee will determine the amount awarded to each project.
• The same criteria will be used to determine all awards.

Current members of SWCA (Institutional, Professional, or Student).

Members of the selection committee and/or people from their institution are not eligible.

Recipients agree to do the following upon receiving the award*:

• Submit a project progress report to the SWCA Secretary at three points after receiving award: 6 months, 12 months, and completion. Recipients will receive a template for such reports.
• Submit an article based on project for publication in Southern Discourse within a year of completion of the project. Publication is not guaranteed.
• Submit proposal to present findings at SWCA annual conference within a year of completion of the project. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
• Acknowledge SWCA support in any presentation or publication resulting from the project.
• Forward copies of resulting publications, presentations, or copies of conference program listings to SWCA Archivist.

*Recipients who do not comply with the actions listed above may have their names removed from organizational acknowledgements and may be deemed ineligible for future SWCA awards.

Email applications as an MS Word attachment to the SWCA Awards Committee (awardscommitteeswca@gmail.com) by 11:59pm EST by the deadlines listed below.

Application packets must contain the following items:

1. Cover letter (email) addressed to current SWCA CCRGI Chair. The email should:

• request consideration of the application
  
• introduce the applicant and additional research team members
  
• introduce the project
  
• state the amount of funding being requested
  

2. Project Summary, which includes:

• project summary (3 page maximum) that situates research/initiative within current WC conversation
• research/initiative questions and goals, methods, schedule, current status, etc.
• itemized budget that shows how monies will be used (materials, in-process research travel, copying, postage, etc.).
• additional funding sources and justification of amount requested (address the funding gap that a Cozzens grant will fulfill)

3. Curriculum Vitae (for all members of research team)

Proposals will be judged by a committee consisting of SWCA Board members and general members of the SWCA community. The SWCA Board appoints a Committee Chair, who then recommends additional committee members to the Board. The Board approves the overall committee. Proposals will be judged based on the following:

• clarity of the Project Summary
• connection between project and CCRGIP purpose
• potential benefits to local and regional writing center communities
• innovation in and advancement of writing center scholarship

Dates for Fall Awards

• Application open: May 1
• Application deadline: July 15
• Award notification: August 15

Dates for Spring Awards

• Application open: November 1
• Application deadline: January 15
• Award notification: February 1