Who is eligible to apply? All Newcomb-Tulane College (NTC) students are eligible to apply for NTC grant funding. All full-time undergraduates of Tulane University are considered NTC students. Students who are in their fifth year, as part of a joint graduate degree program, are considered NTC students until their undergraduate degree has been conferred. Students in their first semester, whether first-year students or transfer students, are not eligible to apply for an NTC grant.
What is the NTC grant application deadline? The monthly grant deadline for all NTC grants is on the 15th of each month at 5:00 p.m., during the fall and spring semesters. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered during the following month’s cycle. This includes the recommendation letter.
When applying, must I know the name of the specific grant I am applying for? No, you may simply submit an application and our staff will determine the grant that most accurately represents your project. However, you are more than welcome to indicate any specific grants in which you especially interested. You may take a look at the details of all our various grants by visiting our grants page.
When will I hear back with a decision? During each grant cycle, students will learn of the committee’s decision by the 1st week of the new month.
Can I apply for more than one NTC grant? You may apply for and receive multiple (individual or group leader) grants from NTC, not exceeding the total of $1,500 per academic year, if approved by the grant committee. (Exceptions are made for recipients of the Gordon grant and te CGE grant). You can also apply for various grants from other on-campus offices.
Can I apply for a grant during the summer? NTC grant applications are only accepted while classes are in session, during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year.
Can a staff member (as opposed to a professor or faculty member) write my letter of recommendation? Yes. Only one primary recommendation letter is required, and that letter can come from an either a faculty or staff member at Tulane. Secondary letters are optional, and are accepted from non-Tulane faculty and/or other community professionals who can speak to your project and application.
What should my recommender focus on in my letter of recommendation? Is there a format or guidelines that I should inform my professor of? The content of your recommender's letter of support should come directly from the recommender, and there is no template for your recommender to write their letters. Be sure to review your cover letter with the recommender, and that they can speak to the project that you're applying for and your ability to successfully undertake the project.
How far in advance should I submit a proposal? Since NTC grant applications are reviewed monthly, and decisions are issued by the 1st week of the new month, you will want to apply during the month/cycle that you'd like a decision. For example, if you're interested in receiving a funding decision on the final day of September, you'll want to apply in time for the September 15, 5:00 p.m. deadline. The application is closed during the summer sessions (May through August), and the application will not open until the first day of classes in late August. You may apply as late or as early during the month/cycle as you wish.
If my application is not accepted during my first attempt, should I reapply? For NTC grants, there are three notifications or designations for applications, based on the committee’s decisions: 1) a grant award; 2) revise and resubmit; 3) decline funding. If your application is not accepted and your project is declined funding, it is not recommended that you re-apply for the same project. However, you are encouraged to apply for a different project, if it fits within NTC grant criteria. If you receive a decision that requests that you "revise and resubmit" some part of your application, then you are able to reapply.
Can you share an example of what my grant's cover letter should look like? How do I write one? To prevent issues with plagiarism and also encourage students' writing abilities and originality, the Office of Academic Enrichment does not share previously submitted applications as samples. To write your one to two page cover letter, clearly explain the nature of your project, detail how you will make use of the grant, describe what you hope to accomplish and how you reasonably plan to do it. This may include the significance of the project (personal, educational, professional), and any qualifications you possess. We recommend including how much you're requesting and what it will be used for in the first paragraph of your proposal. Be sure to discuss your project with your recommender who will be writing your letter of support, so that they can testify to your project's merits, your qualifications, and if they are clearly stated in your cover letter. For additional assistance with writing, feel free to make an appointment with the Senior Program Coordinator of the Office of Academic Enrichment at ntcgrants@tulane.edu, or visit Tulane's Academic Learning Center.
Will applying for less money give me a better chance of receiving a grant? The grant committee, who determines which applications will receive funding and for how much, make decisions solely based on whether or not the project or request fits within NTC grant specifications, and if the request or project can be reasonably completed by the student, based on the cover letter. (Review the grant descriptions on the main grant page to see if your project or request falls within what's described.) If awarded, the dollar amount is determined by the information that you provide in your budget. See the "Budget Proposal Worksheet for Grant Applicants," which you're encouraged to include with your application. Please be specific with your budget requests and only include the items that you need, while noting that most NTC grants award up to $1,500. The quality of your project and application will play more of a determining factor in your chances of receiving a grant award than the dollar amount requested.
What types of things will NTC grants fund? NTC grants support academic projects and research, academic conference travel (for presenters), virtual and local (New Orleans) conference attendance, internship travel and related costs, some service projects, and other projects related to one's studies or academic-related interests. Check out the Student Grant Stories tab to see examples of previously funded requests.
What costs will NTC grants not fund? Food costs (unless you're a digital media production or film student). Stipends or salaries. Costs for any program or course where you are receiving credit. Costs to take classes or courses, whether for credit or not for credit. Study Abroad tuition costs. Start-up ventures. For-profit or non-profit companies that either require a high donation fee or charge a high fee to place you with an internship or "voluntourism"-oriented excursion. Personal items such as medical insurance, cell phones, etc. Durable items or supplies (cameras, etc.) that are over $100 (unless you intend for them to remain the property of your department.) NTC: OAE will not fund travel to countries on the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory List that are designated as “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” and will consider travel to countries designated as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” on a case-by-case basis. Travel costs for attending a conference without presenting (virtual and local New Orleans conferences okay). Projects or travel for student organizations. Global Brigades trips, effective 2019-2020 school year.
How much can I apply for? As an individual, you are eligible to apply for up to $1,500. The only exceptions are as follows:
The Center for Global Education Grant for Experiential Learning offers grants up to $2,500 that can be used to support international independent research projects or other forms of international experiential learning that support students’ academic and/or professional goals.
The Data Hub: Center for Data Literacy offers grants up to $2,500 that can be used to support student projects with a focus on data literacy, data analysis, or data management. This includes expenses related to student research that collects, analyzes, or digitalizes data, and travel to conferences where students are presenting or attending workshops on data-specific content.
The Gordon Summer Fellowship offers up to $5,000 for projects that are completely independent from existing faculty research, and student-designed and directed, from beginning to end.
If you are applying for a group grant, with two or more members, you are allowed to apply for up to $3,000, with no more than $1,500 per student.
If I receive a grant award from NTC, how will the funds be disbursed to me? Your grant funds would be issued in one of the following four ways (or perhaps a combination of these options), which you would discuss in a meeting with a staff member:
- A standard check or direct deposit for the amount of your grant award
- A reimbursement check, where you are required to provide receipts and other supporting items of proof
- Transfer of funds directly into the account of your department
- Direct payment of items purchased on your behalf, typically for high cost, travel-related items that the student may not be able to afford up front, such as airfare and lodging costs.
My professor wants to pay me a research stipend. Is this something a grant can fund? General Newcomb-Tulane College grants cannot be used for research stipends or salaries. However, your professor can apply for CELT grants to pay students for research work
Are there other Tulane offices that offer funding? Yes, Newcomb Institute has funding opportunities for students whose projects align with their mission of gender equity. The Office of Study Abroad administers study abroad grants and scholarship opportunities. The Center for Academic Equity has grants for self-identified underrepresented or non-traditional students, including students of color, LGBTQ students, and first generation college students. Check out the "Other On-Campus Grant Funding Sources" section of the NTC Grant Funds tab.
I am presenting at a conference out of town. What costs will a grant fund? Grant funding for conference travel can be used for travel/transportation, lodging, and registration fees. It may not be used for food costs.
Can I get funding for a project or internship that will start after I graduate? Grant funds can only be used for projects, travel, or internships that you fully complete prior to your graduation date.
Can I apply for a project/conference/internship that I’ve already completed? No. Retroactive funding requests are no longer accepted, effective academic year 2019-2020. This means that you would not be able to apply for an NTC grant to support academic research, travel, or an internship after it has been completed.
Can I get funding for a service project? Funding eligibility for service projects is determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally, students must prove that the project has a strong relationship to their academic interests. Preference is given to service trips of longer duration rather than brief “voluntourism”-type experiences. Global Brigades trips are no longer eligible for grant funding.
Can I obtain funding for a start-up venture? No. The Taylor Center may have funding for these types of projects.
How long do I have to accept an award? Please accept your grant award and fill out the requisite paperwork as soon as possible. If the requisite paperwork is not returned within 10 days, the offer will be assumed to be declined.
My project involves solo travel to a foreign country to do research. What should I know? Your application's cover letter should include detailed information on the contacts that you will be working with overseas. Please note that NTC: OAE will not fund travel to countries on the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory List that are designated as “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” and will consider travel to countries designated as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” on a case-by-case basis.” Search for a country on the U.S. State Department's Travel Advisory List.
Can I obtain grant funding for study abroad program tuition? Study Abroad grants are only offered through the Office of Study Abroad.
What costs are covered for internships? Eligible internship-related budget requests include travel costs such as airfare, housing (even local housing in NOLA, excluding annual lease agreements), transportation, and mileage. Additionally, both unpaid and minimally paid internships are eligible for NTC grant funding consideration. Costs for food or personal items, such as medical insurance, cell phones, etc. are not eligible for funding consideration. Stipends or salaries are not eligible for funding consideration.
I have been accepted by a program that charges a high fee for placing me with an internship and providing housing. Can I get grant funding for this? The grant committee does not typically award funding for these programs, and discourages students from applying to programs, whether for-profit or non-profit, that charge expensive costs to complete an internship.
Can I apply if I’m still waiting to hear back from my internship? Yes. Please apply, and also make certain to indicate in the cover letter that you’re waiting to hear back from the internship on the status of your participation. In the event that your internship application is awarded funding but you don’t get the internship, you’ll have to notify us.
Am I allowed to receive first- or second-tier service learning credit with my internship if I've received NTC grant funding? Yes.
Can I get funding for an internship that will start after I graduate? Grant funds can only be used for internships that you fully complete prior to your graduation date.
Can I apply for an internship that I’ve already completed? No. Retroactive funding requests are no longer accepted, effective academic year 2019-2020. This means that you would not be able to apply for an NTC grant to fund an internship after it has been completed.
What is a group grant? If two or more students are applying for funding for the same project or conference, they should apply for a group grant. If awarded a grant by the committee, the maximum that a group can receive is $3,000, with no more than $1,500 awarded per person.
Is there a maximum number of people that can be in a group? No, but keep in mind that the maximum that a group can receive is $3,000, with no more than $1,500 awarded per person.
How is the application process different for group grants than individual grants? One person must be designated as a group leader, whether your group has 2 people or 12. The group leader is responsible for filling out and submitting the "Grant Application for Individuals or Group Leaders" form, including a list of the other group members.
Each additional member is responsible for filling out and submitting the "Grant Application for Group Members" form.
Does each group member need to each secure their own recommendation letter? No, only one recommendation letter is required for the entire group.
Faculty members include professors, assistant and associate professors, professors of practice, and administrative faculty. Adjunct professors, visiting professors, and post-doctoral fellows may serve as recommenders when necessary, but the committee prefers to receive recommendations from regular faculty members. Staff members are not faculty, with the exception of those who are appointed as adjuncts. Secondary letters are optional, and are accepted from Tulane staff members, non-Tulane faculty, and/or other community professionals who can speak to your group's project and application.
How can I see the types of projects that other students have received funding for? Attend an upcoming grant info workshop, where recent grant recipients give short presentations about their grant-funded projects, research, or other experience. Or, follow Newcomb-Tulane College on Instagram (@newcombtulanecollege) for stories and spotlights of our students.
Are there other offices on campus that offer grants for Tulane undergraduates? Yes. Visit the NTC Grant Funds tab for a list of campus offices that provide grant funding for students. We also recommend checking with your department’s faculty or administration.
I have questions that I don't see covered on this website? Who can I contact to ask for more info? Contact the senior program coordinator for the Office of Academic Enrichment at Newcomb-Tulane College via ntcgrants@tulane.edu, 504-862-8741, or in 105A Hebert Hall.
