Section 13: Funding Sources and Policies

​​​​​​13.1 Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students

The BME graduate program regards all applicants as having interest in funding. The majority of funding is awarded to admitted PhD students. The MS typically is a self-funded degree, though there are times when funding is available for MS students. The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Studies Committee (BMEGSC) works to find research and funding matches for prospective PhD admits, and all applicants are encouraged at the time of application to contact faculty of interest directly to learn more about fellowship and GRA opportunities in their labs.

The search for funding is student-driven, with the BMEGSC working behind the scenes to find additional opportunities. Three sources of funding in BME are department-nominated OSU Fellowships and research-based external and National Fellowships (sometimes based on undergraduate research experiences); Graduate Research Associateships in faculty labs; and Graduate Teaching Associateships in BME.

Watch for workshops at the University Library geared toward helping students and faculty explore this search engine.

13.3 Graduate School Governance of GA Appointments

Graduate Associates must adhere to the rules of their employing units and Supervisors on such matters as work responsibilities, outside employment, work schedules, and the like. Information on stipend amounts and Employing Unit Responsibilities with respect to Graduate Associates can be obtained from the BME HR officer. For comprehensive policy information, see the university HR website or the section 9 of the GSH.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​13.4 GA Rights and Progress

Supervisors and GAs will follow the rules regarding GA appointments set forth in the Graduate School Handbook. Likewise, supervisors should make clear their expectations of Graduate Associates. The Annual Review is an excellent opportunity to make sure faculty and students are on the same page with regard to progress and best practices. Communication is key, as not all Supervisors have the same style. Not all research advisors are GA supervisors, but often they are the same person. Below is a reminder of the different roles you and your faculty supervisor may hold. It is important that students and faculty be up to date with regard to GA rights and policies and that they make sure to discuss expectations with regard to any time spent away from the lab. Supervisors and GAs must be sure to discuss and follow university policy on breaks or on any special requests for time away.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​13.5 Preventing problems through communication

The BME graduate program recommends the following for resolving GA-related grievances locally: open-minded discussions first with the supervisor; then with the core faculty contact, graduate studies coordinator and/or graduate studies committee chair, hiring officer, and/or department chair, in whatever order feels most comfortable. Graduate associates should also consult their appointment documents. GAs are encouraged to make sure their Human Resources representatives and/or hiring officers will have provided these documents at the time of appointment. Students also may work with the graduate studies coordinator to seek guidance in writing from the BMEGSC, anonymously.

As stated in the GSH: “The Graduate School becomes involved in such matters only after all reasonable local efforts to resolve the problem have failed. In accordance with university policy, complaints of harassment, sexual or otherwise, and allegations of scholarly misconduct are directed to the appropriate offices authorized to address them.” See GSH Appendix D for grievances that cannot be solved locally.

Review GA appointment and leave policies in the GSH.