Perhaps the best way to understand what makes a good Carson Grant application
is to imagine a very bad Carson Grant application. An unsuccessful Carson
application might have some of these qualities:
Poorly written. A poorly written proposal speaks volumes about
its author. Your proposal should be a flawless example of your very
best writing. Your prose should be clear, articulate, and free of spelling
and grammar mistakes.
Inadequately researched. It may seem ironic that you should
begin research even before you apply for a Carson Grant, but applicants
who can demonstrate a broad familiarity with their subject, have read
foundational texts, and who can provide a brief review of the literature,
will generally produce a more substantive and persuasive proposal.
Not written to the audience. Although Carson Scholars do not
receive academic credit, do not forget that the Grants committee is
a faculty committee; your proposal will be read by scholars from various
disciplines, who all have experience conducting research and writing
grant proposals.
Lukewarm or unenthusiastic sponsor. Unfortunately, if a sponsor's
recommendation falls short of enthusiasm, or conveys the impression
that the sponsor doesn't really support the project or the student,
it can affect how the committee views the proposal. Although the Carson
project is conceived and carried out by the student, help should be
there when needed. Pick your sponsor carefully; solicit her or his advice
in drafting and rewriting your proposal.
Doesn't meet the criteria of a Carson. Reread the selection
criteria. A Carson, above all, is:
Challenging. Carson projects are not continuations of ongoing research
or creative projects. The Carson should be an exploration of new territory.
Significant. A Carson project should result in a definable product that
"makes a contribution"-to your intellectual or creative development,
and/or to the community at large.
Feasible. Carson projects should be well-conceived, and likely to be
completed in one summer. Although research can (and frequently does)
take on a life of its own, the Carson stops when the fall semester begins.
Independent. Carson projects are executed outside of a classroom setting
or assigned coursework, and are not used for academic credit. Moreover,
Carson projects should be independent of a professor's research, designed
and carried out by you.
A request for financial aid. A Carson Grant will not be awarded
to fund an already existing project; for a faculty member to continue
funding a project that uses student assistants; for assistance meeting
tuition costs; or as additional financial aid for travel and study abroad.
A holiday junket. Each year the Grants and Awards committee
reads Carson proposals that involve travel, some to far-off, exotic
locales. Where the applicant can demonstrate that the travel is necessary
to successfully executing the project-interviewing Okinawans about the
U.S. military presence on their island; reading the work of Cuban playwrights
in a Havana library-the grant is more likely to be funded. Ask yourself:
could this project be done somewhere else? Is a trip to Paris really
necessary? (not just desirable).
Mistakes assertion for proof or evidence. Just stating that
"I can do this project" or "this project will get done"
is not enough to sway the committee.
Impractical. The most common reasons the Grants and Awards committee
may decide a proposal isn't practical are:
. The applicant lacks the requisite background or skills to complete
the project successfully. For example, you propose to conduct interviews,
but your subjects don't speak English, and you don't speak French; your
project requires a knowledge of statistical analysis, and you haven't
taken a course in statistics.
. The project is too poorly defined or broadly focused to be
completed in one summer. In short, it's not feasible.
Late. The submission deadline for Carson proposals is Feb. 14
- no exceptions. With 10 grants to award among (on average) 20 applicants,
your odds of receiving a grant are exceedingly high. Take advantage
of it!
