The goal of the College of Arts & Sciences Research Support Team is to encourage faculty to be productive and successful by assisting with sponsored project proposals, providing general research support, and promoting a strong research environment in the college.
The A&S Research Support Team includes: Dr. Giselle Thibaudeau (Munn), Associate Dean for Research; Silas Knox, Senior Contract and Grant Specialist; Jeremy Figgns, Contract and Grant Specialist III; Michia Williams, Business Coordinator; and Sam Kealhofer, Coordinator, Communications & Research Support. (See contacts below.)
Services Provided
External Funding Opportunities
- Proposal Support for Sponsored Projects (whether OSP is involved or not)
- Meet with faculty to understand their research goals
- Identify funding opportunities
- Review funding agency/sponsor guidelines
- Develop checklists of required proposal documents
- Liaison between PIs and the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP)
- Identify deadlines based on sponsor and OSP 3-day policy
- Develop project budgets & review non-technical proposal components
- Assist PIs with accessing online research admin systems (SciENcv, Cayuse, Pivot)
- Coordinate with external collaborators to prepare proposed subawards
- Copy editing (time dependent)
- Prepare Internal Approval Sheets (IAS) and facilitate the approval process
Internal Funding Opportunities
- Support, assist with, collect, and review ORED internal limited submission proposals
- Administer A&S-sponsored research awards (shared in weekly events email and A&S website)
- A&S Strategic Research Initiative funding (e.g., Faculty Seed Funding; Race & Racism Research)
- Academic Excellence (ACADEX; Faculty travel support)
- Graduate Student Travel Support (GSTS)
- Undergraduate Excellence Fund (Undergraduate Research; Study Abroad)
Research Communication
- Promote and recognize A&S research achievements and events
- Write articles and news releases for a wide audience
- Liaison and assist faculty with pitches for The Conversation
- Create content (e.g., articles, videos, podcasts) for A&S website, social media
A&S Support Team Contacts
Giselle Thibaudeau (Munn)
Associate Dean for Research
giselle@deanas.msstate.edu
Silas Knox
Senior Contract & Grant Specialist
sknox@deanas.msstate.edu
Jeremy Figgins
Contract & Grant Specialist III
jfiggins@deanas.msstate.edu
Proposal Initiation and Inquiry
research@deanas.msstate.edu
Michia Williams
Business Coordinator
mcw269@msstate.edu
Sam Kealhofer
Coordinator, Communications & Research Support
sgk33@msstate.edu