Individual Faculty Awards are the traditional means by which MT-IGO offers funding for research and scholarship at MTSU.  We have recently made a few minor changes to define research classifications and categories to allow swift review of proposals.

MT-IGO's Definitions

Type of Grants

"Research" activity is creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge — including knowledge of humankind, culture, and society — and to devise new applications of available knowledge. This covers three activities defined below — basic research, applied research, and experimental development. (NSF R&D Report, 2020)

• Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.
• Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective.
• Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.

"Creative Activity" includes the creation, production, exhibition, performance, or publication of creative works by one or more individuals that demonstrate originality in design or execution. Creative projects eligible for funding should include a clear articulation of the scholarly process, a definable product, and a mechanism for outside review and/or dissemination. The product of creative activity may be disseminated to academic, consumer, and to government or other such agency through original artwork, live performances, exhibits, consumer and other print media, academic journals, books, photographs, film, reports, video recordings, audio recordings, graphic designs, digital imaging, or other technologies, all consistent with standard scholarly practice in the discipline. Typically, the significance accorded the creative activity depends on the audience and the recognition it achieves-local, regional, national, or international.