Funding Parameters

Topic

The scope of this funding includes all research interests of E-IPER students. One to four grants may be awarded in this grant cycle. Note: There is specific funding for projects focused on renewable energy and/or climate change, which may include both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Each team is asked to explain the impact the project will have.

Team Members

The project must involve a collaboration of at least 1 E-IPER PhD student and 1 E-IPER Joint/Dual MS student. Projects should be designed to leverage the unique skill sets of the E-IPER PhD and MS student populations. Note: Joint/Dual MS students are typically in their 2nd year of study at Stanford.
Teams are encouraged, but not required, to collaborate with additional team members and organizations outside of E-IPER.
Teams must select two faculty advisors specific (though not necessarily unique) to this project and develop the project with them. One advisor must be from the MS student’s professional school.

Anticipated Outcomes

Funding will enable and enhance collaborations that support or expand existing work (i.e., MS Capstone projects, PhD qualification and dissertation work).
Proposed outcomes will maximize the unique skillsets of PhD (research) and MS (applied lens) students.
Examples of outcomes include a published paper, white paper, analytical model, business plan, product prototype, law review article, policy paper, or other research or analysis product.
We encourage applicants to think creatively, and beyond these example outcomes, to help define what collaboration between PhD and MS students can produce.

Available Funds

One to four grants may be awarded in this grant cycle.

Funding is provided in two categories:

Project costs – up to $10,000 of funding available. Allowable costs may include, but are not limited to:
- Equipment and supplies
- Travel costs (including economy airfare, mileage reimbursement, rental car, or public transportation)
- Communication expenses (such as international Skype calls)
- Software
- Professional services that enable or enhance the work (e.g., transcription, printing, survey deployment)
Student tuition and stipend
- Tuition costs for MS students
  - MS project leader(s) may be eligible for tuition coverage totaling up to the equivalent of one 18-unit quarter ($18,105 in 2021-2022; 2022-2023 tuition to be announced) in their Capstone quarter with E-IPER.
  - One or two MS project leaders may receive/share this tuition benefit, to be determined on a case-by-case basis, provided they make a demonstrable, ongoing commitment to the project over its lifespan.
  - Tuition allocations will be based on the amount of time and level of responsibility committed to the project, and the number of units scheduled in a particular quarter. Amounts will be determined by E-IPER staff post-grant award.
  - Tuition will be paid directly to Stanford.
  - If the MS student declines the tuition payment, the MS student may be eligible for a taxable stipend of $7,500 in their Capstone quarter with E-IPER.
- Stipend for PhD students
  - PhD project leader(s) may be eligible to receive a taxable stipend of $7,500.
  - One or two PhD project leaders may receive/share this stipend benefit, to be determined on a case-by-case basis, provided they make a demonstrable, ongoing commitment to the project over its lifespan.
- Tuition and stipends are typically disbursed in the Capstone/final quarter of the project, but this will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Project Length

Projects typically range from 8 to 12 months. Start dates may vary depending on the project, and can be finalized after a project is awarded. The project completion date should be prior to all students’ graduation dates, with the bulk of the work done before the Joint MS student’s final Capstone presentation.
If more than 12 months are required, extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Changes made to the scope of work during project implementation must be discussed and approved by the faculty advisor(s) and E-IPER staff.

Communication and Dissemination

Teams will:

arrange mutually agreed upon check-in meetings and other communications with faculty advisors and E-IPER staff,
present their work at major E-IPER events, and at least one other forum such as the E-IPER Seminar, a topical seminar, or other community event,
write up their work for an E-IPER newsletter,
present their work in additional forums, provide additional communication and attend additional meetings with current and potential funders upon request, and
submit a brief written reflection upon completion of the project.