NCA funds projects and events that advance the discipline of Communication. While there are many funding outlets for Communication scholars to seek support for academic disciplinary research, NCA is uniquely positioned to support work that is focused on the discipline itself. All funded activities must align with the goals of NCA's strategic plan and have widespread impact that reaches beyond a single department, campus, or NCA unit.
Proposals submitted through this request for proposals should be for one-time funding not to exceed $5,000. Preference is given to stand-alone projects/events, but partial funding of larger projects/events will be considered, provided the funding is allocated to a specific piece of the larger endeavor.
Individual research projects will not be considered for funding.
- All Investigators must be NCA members at the time of submission and maintain their membership throughout the grant period.
- Officers, directors, trustees (the Legislative Assembly and its Executive Committee), key employees, substantial contributors, or employees thereof, or grant selection committee members are not eligible to receive grants from NCA.
- Travel, equipment, and other funding categories will only be allocated for items that are in direct support of the proposed project or event. Examples of things that are not eligible for funding under these terms are attendance at NCA’s Annual Convention and purchase of office computers. Funds may not be used to augment the budget of NCA convention-related activity.
- Individual research projects will not be considered for funding.
- NCA will pay up to 10 percent of indirect costs, but the total funding amount, including both direct and indirect costs, cannot exceed the $5,000 funding limit.
- Funds are disbursed to identified fiscal agents, not to individuals.
- The following three documents are required: A detailed description of the proposed activity, a detailed budget, and an abbreviated CV for each principal investigator. These materials should be submitted a single PDF document.
1. Detailed Description of the Proposed Activity: A detailed description of the proposed activity should include answers the following questions.
For events:
- What is the topic of the event?
- Why is this an important topic and how can the event be used to advance the discipline of Communication?
- How does this event align with NCA's strategic plan?
- How will NCA members, or others, benefit from this event?
- How many people are expected to attend this event?
- What is the planned structure of the event? (e.g., program, agenda, etc.)
- What are the logistical details of the event? (e.g., dates, locations, organizers)
For projects:
- What do you propose to investigate? (e.g., topic, goals, objectives)
- Why is this an important project and how can the results be used to advance the discipline of Communication?
- How does this project align with NCA's strategic plan?
- What methods/methodologies will be used to accomplish the goals of this project?
- What are the expected outcomes and/or deliverables of this project?
- How will NCA members, or others, benefit from this project?
2. Detailed Budget: The detailed budget should include a rational for each expense as well a list of other confirmed funding sources (such as matching funds or additional funding).
3. Abbreviated CV for Each Principal Investigator: Each CV should be no longer than three pages and include full name, contact information, and institutional affiliation.
All grant recipients are required to follow the reporting requirements outlined in NCA’s Assessment Protocol and follow the NCA Promotional Activities and Sponsorship Acknowledgment Policy.
Applicants should consult with their institution's Office of Sponsored Programs (or similar grants office) to review the NCA Funding Assessment Protocol and the NCA Promotional Activities and Sponsorship Acknowledgment Policy. Failure to secure the institution's guidance prior to submission can significantly delay, or prevent, grant awards.
Questions about the Advancing the Discipline Grant, or any other NCA grant program, should be directed to Dr. Dane S. Claussen, NCA Director of Research, Publications and Professional Advancement at academic@natcom.org.