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The University of Belize is dedicated to advancing impactful research that drives national development. Through the Internal Research Fund Awards (IRFA), we provide invaluable financial support to our academic staff and graduate students, ensuring they have the resources to bring innovative ideas to life.

Call For Applications!

The research office is now accepting applications for the Internal Research Fund Awards (IRFA)! Open the document below to learn more about how you can apply and submit your applicatons through online submission.

IRFA Call for applications 2025.2IRFA 2025.2 Guidelines

Research Funding Opportunities

Award Categories

1. Individual Academic Staff Research Awards (IASRA)

  • Eligibility: Full-time UB academic staff (permanent or extended contract).
  • Funding: Up to $4,000 BZD per award (8 awards).
  • Purpose: Supports individual IRB-approved research projects.
  • Output: Submission of an article to a peer-reviewed journal or proposal to a relevant international, regional or local conference within a year of completion of the research.

2. Collaborative Academic Staff Research Awards (CASRA)

  • Eligibility: Full-time UB academic staff (permanent or extended contract, teams of two or more).
  • Funding: Up to $6,000 BZD per project (5 awards).
  • Purpose: Encourages teamwork on IRB-approved projects.
  • Output: Submission of an article to a peer-reviewed journal or proposal to a relevant international, regional or local conference within a year of completion of the research.

3. Graduate Student Research Awards (GSRA)

  • Eligibility: UB graduate students.
  • Funding: Up to $2,000 BZD per project (10 awards).
  • Purpose: Supports graduate thesis research with IRB approval.
  • Output: Completed thesis and proposal to a relevant international, regional or local conference within a year of completion of the research.

Application Process

The application process for the Internal Research Fund Awards at the University of Belize ensures a rigorous review to maintain the highest standards of research integrity.

Key Requirements

  • IRB Approval: All proposed research must secure Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before commencing participant recruitment or data collection.
  • Permits and Certifications: Applicants must obtain any relevant local permits and complete required certifications, such as Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training.
  • Departmental Approval: Each proposal must receive written approval from the applicant’s dean or director, confirming any departmental resource commitments.
  • Reporting Compliance: Award recipients must comply with all reporting guidelines, including submitting a detailed final report at the project’s conclusion.

Restrictions

  • Researchers with ongoing IRFA projects are ineligible to apply for additional funding until their current project is completed and the final report submitted.
  • Applicants with unfulfilled reporting obligations from prior awards are disqualified.

Submission Recommendations

Ensure all application materials, including IRB documentation, CITI certificates, and relevant permits, are complete and submitted promptly to streamline the review process. Submit the completed document by the application deadline.

How to Apply for the Internal Research Fund Awards

Application Document Requirements

  1. To submit your application for the IRFA, prepare one collated electronic Word document.
  2. Name the file as follows: LastName _ FirstName _ IRFA _ [Type] _ Award _ Application _ Semester
    e.g. Willis _ Javon _ IRFA _ Individual _ Award _ Application _ 2024.1
    e.g. Amber _ Jane & Basic _ Tom _ IRFA _ Collaborative _ Award _ Application _ 2024.1
    e.g. Paul _ Tanya _ IRFA _ Grad.Student _ Award _ Application _ 2024.1

Application Document Structure

The application document should be organized into three major parts:

  1. Cover Page: Include basic information such as the project title, applicant's details, and the type of award.
  2. Proposal Narrative: A concise, four-page narrative outlining the research, methodology, expected outcomes, and more.
  3. The appendix: should include supporting materials such as the project timeline, budget, researcher CVs, CITI and other certifications, Conflict of Interest Statement, letter of support from the Dean, and information on any other funding endeavors.

Preparing your Application Document

1

Cover Page: Your name, award type, and project title.

2

Proposal Narrative: A 4-page description of your project. See Checklist

Checklist for 4-page narrative
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Formatting: Four double-spaced pages in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. Exceeding the page limit will result in your application being returned without review.
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Type of Award: Specify the award type (Individual, Collaborative, or Graduate Student).
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Background and Motivation: Explain why the research is important and provide context.
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Research Purpose and Questions: Clearly define your research objectives and questions.
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Literature Review: Summarize relevant prior research and explain how your project builds on or challenges existing work.
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Methodology: Outline your research design, methods, data collection, and analysis.
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Expected Outcomes: Describe the expected outcomes, deliverables, and benefits.
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Dissemination Plans: Outline how you will share your results.
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Timeline: Provide a project timeline (complete within 12 months).
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Personnel and Responsibilities: Detail who will be involved and their roles.
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Sustainability: Explain how the project will be supported post-funding.
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References: Include at least five references within the last ten years, in APA 7th edition format.

3

Timeline: Include the detailed project timeline (Appendix item #1).

4

Budget: A detailed and justified breakdown of your project’s expenses (Appendix item #2). See Checklist

Checklist for Budget
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Research Supplies & Equipment: Include costs for items like lab supplies/fees or specialized software.
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Local Travel: Budget for travel expenses (UB’s approved mileage and per diem rates) for data collection or collaboration.
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Student Assistants: Include compensation for student researchers or external collaborators (the proposal must clearly define the collaborator's role).
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Creative Productions: If applicable, for projects involving creative works (e.g., art or performance).
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Specialized Equipment: For equipment not readily available through UB’s standard services.
*NOTE: UB Funds Cannot Be Used For:
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Conference Expenses: Travel, lodging, registration fees.
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General Equipment: Such as computers or printers.
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Publication Costs: Including advertising, publishing, or shipping.
Receipts must be provided with final report submission.

5

CVs: Two-page CVs for each researcher (Appendix item #3). See Checklist

Checklist for 2-page CV
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Biodata: Include your name, position, affiliation, and contact information.

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Education & Qualifications: List degrees and relevant training.
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Previous Appointments: Academic positions held and their duration.
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Recent Research Outputs: Publications, articles, or projects from the last 12 months.
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Conference Presentations: Include details of any recent conference presentations.
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Academic Honors & Awards: Highlight any relevant distinctions.
This CV will help demonstrate your qualifications and ability to carry out the proposed research.

6

Relevant Certifications: Include CITI certifications and IRB approvals, if applicable (Appendix item #4).

7

Letter of Support: From your Dean or Director (Appendix item #5).

8

Other Funding Information: Mention any other funding sources, if applicable (Appendix item #6).

Assessment of Awards

The University of Belize Internal Research Fund Awards follow a rigorous and transparent evaluation process. This competitive process ensures that research projects meet high academic and professional standards. Awards are determined in two stages by the Research Committee.

Application Evaluation

Applications are reviewed against specific evaluation criteria to assess their quality and feasibility. Key areas include:

  • IRB Approval: Required for human research.
  • Researcher Identification and Certification: Contact details and ethical certifications, including CITI.
  • Project Framework:
    • Background, rationale, and study motivation.
    • Research purpose and questions.
    • Literature review providing context and significance.
    • Methodology detailing data collection and analysis.
  • Project Feasibility:
    • Realistic budget adhering to funding guidelines.
    • Comprehensive timeline covering all project stages.
    • Clear language and well-written proposals.
  • Outcomes and Dissemination: Description of deliverables, expected benefits, and dissemination plans.

Scoring Criteria

Each application is scored based on the following system:

  • Less than 38 points: Rejected.
  • 38-41 points: Requires revision and resubmission within two weeks.
  • 42-45 points: Advances to Stage 2 for further deliberation.

Scoring ensures that only the most promising projects are considered for funding.

Research Committee Deliberation

Applications advancing to Stage 2 are evaluated on these factors:

  • Significance: Impact and relevance to academia, institutions, and professional fields.
  • Conceptualization: Clarity of objectives, research questions, and methodology.
  • Applicant Qualifications: Expertise, subject knowledge, and ethical certifications.
  • Logistics: Feasibility of timelines, permissions, and resource access.
  • Budget: Appropriateness and justification of expenses.
  • Sustainability: Potential for future funding and long-term impact.

Final Decision of Award

The committee's decision is final and communicated in writing. Successful applicants must:

  • Sign a fund holder’s contract.
  • Follow reporting requirements.
  • Receive funds based on availability.

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