How and where can I submit a proposal?

All proposals must be submitted electronically through this website. Applicants can complete the online form and attach their proposals by visiting the 'scholars' section on the website. 

Submissions that are mailed or emailed will not be accepted. If you are having a problem with the website and unable to submit your proposal, please email us at [email protected]

What does a "one-year appointment" mean for the FOBI Scholar Grants?

The FOBI Scholar Grants are considered a one-year appointment means that the scholar has one year from the date of appointment to perform the research, write it, and submit it for publication. This can be done simultaneously while teaching or pursuing other interests. You are not required to be present at Grand Valley State University campus, or leave your teaching appointment. This one-year deadline was set for the scholars to finish their work within that time frame.

As a FOBI Research Scholar, what is required of me?

As a FOBI Scholar Grant recipient, you are expected to finish you work/project within the one-year deadline, and submit the finished work to the appropriate refereed journal (s). In addition, 2015 FOBI Research Scholars are expected to submit their finished papers for possible consideration to be presented at the following 2016 FERC (Family Enterprise Research Conference).  It also is required to submit an article for publication to a peer reviewed journal.  It is highly recommended that an additional article written for family business leaders or family business advisors be submitted to an appropriate journal (Family Business Magazine, FFI Practitioner or Tharawat Magazine).

Would the Research Scholars Program support funding for presenting research at conferences?

The use of the $5,000 is up to the Scholar(s), although it is generally anticipated to be used as a personal stipend. The purpose of this program is to help stimulate quality research that would not develop without support, or at least not as quickly. While travel support for presentation is important, it does not rank as high as support for initiating or completing the research itself. If the proposal submitted were to be based more on the latter. The evaluation is based on the quality of the research and the contribution the money will make toward getting the research finished and published in a referred journal.

Can the request for the appointment be from two faculty members representing themselves rather than their academic institution? My co-author and I do not want to share the funding with our current institutions.

Yes. Joint requests with multiple authors are welcome. However, the appointment would be limited to the $5,000 per project.  The purpose of the FOBI Scholars Program is to support the research of the faculty, not the institution. Therefore, you are free to submit outside of any constraints of your institution.

What are the criteria used to evaluate proposals?

The goal of the Scholars Program is to help expand the family business body of knowledge, initially in the academic realm, then to consultants and family business leaders. The program is designed to stimulate new quality research that may not develop without the support, or at least not as quickly.

The ultimate criterion is the contribution likely to be made to the family business literature as measured by publication within the leading academic journals, a guideline the referees will be using. Consequently, applicants should present information that will convey that their research will be likely to be publishable and completed within one year's time.

What other documents are required in order to complete the application process?

In addition to the 6-page proposal, all applicants must submit a Curriculum Vita (CV) or resume. Please note that the CV's page-length is not included in the 6 page limit for the proposal.

What should I include in the proposal?

• A Description of the Project
• The Research Objectives
• Justification or Need for the Study
• A Brief Literature Review
• The Methodology
• A Project Timeline
• Outline for the Use of Funds
• Referred Journals Targeted for Publication

How long should the proposal be?

6 pages, double-spaced,10-point font.

How many grants will be awarded?

Two grants will be awarded annually. Each winning proposal will have a stipend of $5,000.  Also each year one FOBI Scholar in Residence will receive $10,000 and travel to FOBI for two weeks.