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SP2026_DawgTankSubmission

Mary Frances Early College of Education

Graduate Student DawgTank Competition

The MFECOE Office of Research and Graduate Education will sponsor a research competition for graduate students. Modeled after the popular television show, Shark Tank, this research design competition offers graduate students across the College of Education interested in inclusion and belonging funding for their research ideas. Graduate students are invited to submit a 500-word abstract outlining their research proposal. The proposed research must focus on fostering equality and belonging, building an empowered community and/or focusing on inclusive demographics. The competition has up to $800 for awards and will reward the top proposal/presentations with varying amounts depending on the presented needs and scientific rigor.

The process: Graduate students will submit a 500-word description outlining their initial proposal and qualifications. The review and selection of proposals will be completed by a group of faculty in the College of Education. Up to 5 participants will be invited to present a full proposal or “pitch” to our panel of “dawgs” at the 2026 COE Graduate Research Conference on April 28th. Students will have 5 minutes to present a compelling case for their research project. At the end of the session, the “Panel of Dawgs” will determine which projects will be funded and how much of the funds will be awarded. This exercise develops academic, presentation and research communication skills, supports students, as well as showcases inclusion and belonging research around the college.

How to apply: Please submit a 500-word description of the specific issue or problem you are proposing to address with your study and an explanation of why it is important to study. Please be sure to discuss how it relates to inclusion and belonging and include the research questions, sample, and proposed methodological approach. Finally, please describe how you would use the monetary award to support your proposed research.

Due date and eligibility: Proposals must be submitted by Friday, April 3rd . The primary investigator of the project must be a current graduate student in the MFECOE and must be continuously enrolled in graduate school for the duration of the project period either at the master’s or doctorate level.

Selection Criteria: Up to five participants will be selected to present their full proposals (“pitch”) at the MFECOE Research Conference. Selection criteria include:

1. Description of the proposed research: Are the inclusion and belonging goals and objectives clearly articulated?

2. Relevance of proposed research to inclusion and belonging: Does the project hold the potential of making a substantive contribution to scholarly discourse around issues related to fostering equality and belonging, building an empowered community and/or is focused on inclusive demographics in education?

3. Research methods: Are the proposed methods appropriate for addressing the goals, objectives, and research questions?

Rules for the Dawg Tank “Pitch”:

- Use whatever media you feel is necessary to sell your study or project.

- Presentations are limited to 5 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 5 minutes are disqualified.

- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.

- Presentations should be presented for the MFECOE Panel of Dawgs.

- MFECOE Panel of Dawgs will have up to 5 minutes of Q&A for participants.

- The decision of the judging panel is final.

Eligible Funding Categories:

1. Equipment and supplies: research-related materials which are not available otherwise from the college, department, or faculty advisor.

2. Field study expenses: Travel expenses in connection with data collection. Requests for travel expenses must include justification for the need to travel and itinerary associated with the specific travel plan

3. Participant compensation: Any type of compensation for studies involving human subjects.

Please select one of the following:

I would like to register to learn more and attend the event.

I would like to submit a proposal to "pitch" my research.

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