Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Submitting Proposals for The Perry Chapman Prize

If you have a question that is not addressed here, please let Shaunna Cahill know and she’ll provide the answer as soon as possible.

Q. What is the submission deadline for the 2014 prize?

A. The submission deadline for the 2014 prize is yet to be determined (spring 2014). The final deadline will be a hard deadline, no exceptions.

Q. When will the 2014 prize recipient be notified?

A. The 2014 prize recipient will be notified by an as yet-to-be-determined date (spring/summer 2014). 

Q. Do I have to be a member of SCUP to apply?

A. No, we encourage anyone who can address the criteria in the call for proposals to submit.

Q. Who should I ask for letters of support?

A. If you are a student, please have at least one letter come from an advisor who supports you spending time on this project. Otherwise, please select individuals who can speak to your ability to perform research of this type and to produce a written report suitable for use by non-academics.

Q. What if my proposal is longer than five pages? Will you still review it?

A. We appreciate your willingness to provide us with more information, but we need proposals to be five pages or less or we can’t devote the time needed to a thorough reading. Please stick to five pages and 12-point type. If you run over, we will stop reading after five pages, which isn’t likely to help your chances.

Q. If I have images, figures, or tables in my proposal, do I have to include those in my page count?

A. The body of the proposal, including figures, tables, or images that are not the budget, must be no more than 1500 words or five double spaced typed pages. So, you may include these within your proposal limit, not as addenda.

Q. What if I need to edit submitted information and it’s before the deadline?

A. The first time you submit your proposal, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a submission ID. You can use that ID to edit your submission. You may continue editing and resubmitting until the deadline.

Q. Do I have to submit my proposal online or can I mail you a hard copy?

A. Only proposals submitted through the online system will be read and reviewed. We do not have the capacity to receive and distribute proposals in any other format.

Q. Will I receive feedback from the jurors if my proposal isn’t selected?

A. We will try to provide submitters with feedback from the jury process; however, we cannot supply any in-depth critiques.

Q. Can I be part of more than one proposal?

A. You may only be the primary researcher on one proposal, but may be an additional researcher on other’s submittals.

Q. What if I can’t meet the submission deadline? If I let you know can I submit later?

A. All proposals must be submitted by the deadline. The online form will be removed at that time and no further submissions can be made. This is a hard deadline, no exceptions. If possible, submit your proposal early and then we can get in touch with you if we notice any problems.

Q. If my proposal is successful, who holds the intellectual property rights to the work created?

A. The prize recipient and SCUP will each retain copyright in the work product, including the ability to re-use or modify it in the development of further works.