Research Services (RS) oversees two research “seed funding” programs, Small Research Grants (SRG) and the Priority Research Fund (PRF), which are available to the Gallaudet community, including Clerc Center teachers and staff.

Small Research Grants (SRG) 
SRGs provide small funding (up to $5,000) for a duration of up to one year. Researchers can apply for studies on any topic of academic significance using accepted research methods. SRG funds can support subject payment, travel expenses for the purpose of collecting data, and available equipment. The funds CANNOT apply to salary, wage, or stipend, hiring students, full cost of equipment and software, and the cost of presenting or publishing a research report.

Priority Research Funds (PRF) 
PRFs provide seed funds (up to $35,000) for a duration of no more than three years to support activities such as preliminary work and facilitating collaboration advancing competitive research proposals. It is expected that the research project will be submitted to an external funding organization within a year of the time that research seed funding ends.

Topics must have a clear connection to the research priorities of the University. PRF funds can cover such expenses as hiring student researchers, subject payments, course time release, and travel expenses for the purpose of collecting data. The funds CANNOT apply to training, curriculum development studies, and development studies.