CHHS Quick Turn-Around Grants

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Funding Opportunity: Quick Turn-Around Grants (QTAGs) are the initial internal funding mechanism in the Research Pathway within CHHS. These are small grants in the amount of $1,000-$3,000 to support the mission and vision of WKU as a student-centered applied research university. These grants may support faculty, staff, and students to conduct pilot research and participate in research related travel. QTAGs are the initial internal funding mechanism to assist faculty in building their research portfolio to eventually transition to externally funded research and projects. 

Basic Requirements: A basic requirement of any QTAG is that a tenure track or tenured faculty member must be on the grant application in the role of Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator (Co-I), at a minimum. For example, an instructor, staff member, or a student may serve as the PI, if a tenure track faculty member serves as a Co-Investigator on the QTAG application.  A QTAG application must be submitted online at https://www.wku.edu/chhsresearch/qtag.php. Also, each application must be accompanied by a budget template spreadsheet, available the link below, which is emailed to chhs.research@wku.edu. QTAG project funds are intended to be managed by the PI of the grant and spent by the end of the Spring semester within the academic year. 

Source of Funding and Purpose: The QTAG program is funded by Facilities & Administrative (F&A) costs accrued through the external grant process, which are research indirects returned to CHHS. The purpose of QTAGS is to support critical and immediate needs for research, pilot research, and research related travel. 

Supported Research Activities and Costs: Examples of QTAG funded activities are pilot research projects, research related travel, travel to present research, funding for research equipment or materials, purchase of lab supplies to further existing research, costs associated with research surveys, and/or incentives for quantitative/qualitative human subjects-based research.  Funds may also be used to support research assistant(s); materials and supplies; travel/shipping/other expenses to conduct research/creative activity, or the dissemination of research/creative activity. Requests for conference travel must include a copy of the program, or other evidence, clearly indicating your attendance at the conference is for the purpose of disseminating research or creative activity.  This may also include participation in a panel, a scheduled workshop, an exhibition, or similar venue.

Funding Limit and Cycles: QTAG applications will be accepted each month beginning July 1^st of each academic year until February 20th of the following Spring semester. A faculty member, staff member, or student may serve as the PI on only one QTAG application each academic year. However, an individual may be a Co-I on multiple applications. Applications must be submitted by the last day of the month. Awards will be made by the 15th of the following month.  This is a rolling application period beginning July 1^st and ending February 20th each academic year.  No QTAG applications will be accepted in March, April, May, or June within the academic year. All spending on QTAGs must be completed by April 15th.

Budget Tracking and Spending: It is the responsibility of the PI to track spending and ensure all purchases/expenditures are documented on the QTAG Budget and Spending Request Form. All spending must be completed by April 15th.  Please be aware that you will be required to submit this form to the Department/School Office Coordinator for every purchase/expenditure and to track each purchase.  Note that no purchases or expenditure can occur until you have IRB approval, if needed, and the letter has been submitted to the CHHS Faculty Fellow for Research at chhs.research@wku.edu. Purchases and expenditures not tracked on this spreadsheet will be denied. Track each purchase or expenditure to the awarded budget.  Refer to your QTAG proposal budget for your total amount.  Also, if you have questions regarding expenditures please collaborate with your Office Associate and you may contact the CHHS Budget and Grants Manager. 

CHHS QTAG Scoring Rubric

CHHS QTAG Standard Operating Procedure

Develop your budget and submit  Budget Template Spreadsheet (After submitting the form below, email this itemized budget request to chhs.research@wku.edu)

Track the expenditures and spending on your award  QTAG Budget and Spending Request Form (After you receive the award, track all expenditures from your budget with this sheet in conjunction with your Office Coordinator.  The PI is responsible for tracking all expenditures.)