SJSU RSCA Seed Grant FAQ

Last updated on 08/14/2024

• How can I use the Seed Grant monies?

  • Monies may be spent on a variety of expenses including supplies, equipment, RSCA data collection or exhibition travel, research assistance, or summer fellowship*. Funding may not be used to support additional employment. 

    *Summer fellowship may not exceed $5,000. The summer fellowship salary award option is available to Unit 3 Faculty members with a semester appointment (Spring 2025), an academic year (AY) appointment, or a 12-month faculty appointment of 0.8 or less.

    The fellowship salary award is taxable income and is taxed as follows:

    Federal tax: 22%
    State tax: 6.6%
    Social Security and Medicare: 7.65%.

    
    Also, note that the Payroll department usually processes summer fellowships by the fifth day of the following pay period (e.g., a July fellowship will be processed in early August). If you are on direct deposit, you will receive payment two days later, while paper checks are released on the mid-month payday.

• If I am unsure of my faculty appointment type, who should I contact?

  • You should reach out to your Department Chair/Director or your college's Director of Resources and Operations.

• Does "Unit 3 Faculty" include lecturers, either full- or part-time?

  • Yes, it does. You can refer to the list of classifications that fall under Unit 3 Faculty [pdf]. As long as you have a Spring 2025 appointment, you can apply to the RSCA Seed Grant.

• I'm on sabbatical/DIP this academic year. Am I eligible to apply?

  • Yes, you are eligible to apply and eligible for a summer fellowship. 

• What format/structure should I follow for the proposal narrative?

  • Requirements for the narrative as well as the proposal review criteria are listed in the Description section of the RFP, under "Proposal Submission Process."

• Must I complete all the fields listed in the application?

  • Not all fields are applicable to the SJSU RSCA Seed Grant Program. If a field is not applicable, you will get a popup that tells you to indicate "0" when you place your cursor in that field.

• Can I start project-related work prior to the first day of the award period?

  • Project-related work may be started or ongoing prior to the start of the award period. However, note that Seed Grant funding will only begin on the first day of the award period (June 1, 2025). Work charged against the Seed Grant must be within the award period (June 1, 2025-May 31, 2027). 

• The application asks, “Have you written a proposal for this project before?" If I have submitted a RSCA Seed for the same or similar project that was unfunded previously, am I at a disadvantage?

  • Please state that it is a significantly revised version of a project you submitted previously and that it incorporates the received feedback.

• Can I include the pay for a student working for in the summer?

  • Yes, you may hire both undergraduate and graduate students. You should work with your admin to ensure proper hiring procedures are followed.

• Can I use the summer fellowship to pay for a student?

  • No, the summer fellowship is to be paid to Unit 3 faculty only.

• When can I expect to receive my summer fellowship check?

  • The Payroll department processes summer fellowships during the following pay period (e.g. a July fellowship will be processed in mid-August). If you are on direct deposit, you will receive payment electronically while paper checks will be released to your department admin. 

• ​Is the summer fellowship taxable?​

  • ​Yes. The summer fellowship is considered taxable income is taxed as follows:
    * Federal tax: 22%
    * State tax: 6.6%
    * Social Security and Medicare: 7.65%
    
    If you have any question about your check once you receive it, please contact your Payroll Representative.  

• Can two SJSU faculty submit a proposal for the RSCA Seed Grant program?

  • Each faculty must submit separately to the RSCA Seed Grant. The projects can be linked and leverage each other, but they must also stand alone in case the other is not funded.

• Can we include an external system as one of the partners?

  • Yes, you can have partners; simply list them and discuss their role. Note that none of the money can go to the partners.

• If I am working with a community-based organization as a research partner, is there a place in the application to include a letter of support from them?

  • There is no need for a letter of support; simply describe the partnership and state your contact and support.

• Do I need my chair/director and dean (or designee) signature in order for my application to be considered complete?

  • No, signatures of chair/director and dean (or designee) are NOT required for your application to be considered "complete" by the submission deadline. Chair/director and dean (or designee) have up to three (3) business days after the submission deadline to indicate their approval. Note that InfoReady will automatically notify your chair/director and dean (or designee) instructing them to review and approve your application once you have submitted it. While you do not need to gather wet signatures, it is recommended that you discuss your intent to apply with your chair/director and dean (or designee) ahead of time.

• I have previously received funding from my department to support my research. Does this disqualify me from applying to the RSCA Seed Grant?

  • No. Your proposed project for the RSCA Seed Grant just needs to be part of your research that has not received funding, i.e. you cannot repeat the same project for which you already received funding. If what you propose is a logical continuation or offshoot of your RSCA, you can apply. Just be sure to explain.

• Do I have to submit a CV?

  • No. However, you will need to list the last three years of your external and internal funding.

• Aside from the required three-page proposal narrative, may I submit additional materials?

  • The only additional document you are required to submit is a statement justifying each requested budget item and their connection to your proposal narrative. You will not have an opportunity to submit any other materials. 

• Are FERP faculty eligible to apply? Can they receive summer salary?

  • FERP faculty are eligible to apply for Seed Grants but they may only work during the academic year, not summer.

• I'm on sabbatical during the award period. Am I still eligible to apply?

  • Yes, you may apply for funding for a project that will take place while you are on sabbatical.