General Information:

What is Spark?

Spark is a CloudResearch initiative that provides funding to support student research projects by reducing financial barriers to online research.

It is ideal to be used in conjunction with the open-access Research in the Cloud textbook written by the CloudResearch team.

Who is eligible to apply for Spark funding?

Spark is open to all undergraduate and graduate classes conducting online research projects.

How much funding can a course receive?

Each course can receive up to $400, depending on fund availability. (CloudResearch reserves the right to make all final determinations regarding awards. )

How does the Research in the Cloud textbook fit in?

Our free, open-access Research in the Cloud textbook is a step-by-step guide to conducting online research, making it a perfect complement to Spark-funded studies on Connect.

How can I request a copy of the Research in the Cloud textbook?

Please fill out this form here. Once it is published, we will email you a copy.

Supporting Spark:

Where can I find my ACH information?

Log into your bank’s website or app, and go to “Account Details” or “Direct Deposit Info.” You can also look at the bottom of your check. The routing number is the first 9-digit number on the left. The account number is the middle set of numbers.

Are there any tax implications if I opt in to having funds directed to Spark?

No. CloudResearch is the one funding Spark. CloudResearch contributes the money saved on credit card processing fees to Spark when researchers use ACH payments instead of a credit card.

Application Process:

How do I apply for Spark funding?

Instructors can apply by completing a brief online application that includes details about your course and how you plan to use the funds.

Can students apply for funding?

No, only instructors can apply for funding on behalf of their courses.

If I am teaching more than one course, can I apply multiple times in a semester?

Yes, you may apply once for each course that involves student research projects.

How long is the application process?

CloudResearch will review each application and provide a response within one week.

Is IRB approval required before applying or using the funds?

No. All research projects should follow your institution’s IRB requirements.

Is there an appeals process if an application is denied?

Yes, instructors whose applications are not initially approved can request a review by contacting the Spark program team with additional information about their course and research needs.

Funding and Usage:

How do I receive the funds once approved?

Create a Connect Teams account with all students added to the team with their academic email. Once approved, CloudResearch will transfer the funds to the instructor’s Connect account.

Once I receive the funds, how do I distribute them to my students?

You can create a team in Connect and add all of your students to the team using their email addresses. Then you can transfer the appropriate amount to each student.

Can I combine Spark Fund money with other research funding?

Yes! If you have additional grants or department funding, you can still apply for the Spark Fund to further support student research.

Is there a minimum funding amount per student project?

No, there is no minimum funding amount. Instructors have flexibility in how they distribute the course allocation (up to $400) among student projects based on their needs.

What types of research costs can the funds cover?

Spark funds are primarily intended for participant compensation in online research studies conducted through the Connect platform. These funds cannot be used for equipment, software licenses, or other research materials.

What happens to unused funds at the end of the semester?

Any unused funds in your Connect account at the end of the semester will be returned to the Spark fund pool to support other courses and students.

Do funds need to be used within a specific timeframe after being awarded?

Yes, funds should be used within the academic semester for which they were awarded. Specific deadlines will be communicated when funding is approved.

Is there a limit to how many participants students can recruit using these funds?

The number of participants will be limited by the funding amount allocated to each project and the compensation rate chosen. Your course allocation can be divided among projects as needed.

Eligibility & Requirements:

Does my course need to have a specific research methods focus to be eligible?

No, any course that incorporates student research projects is eligible, regardless of whether it’s a dedicated methods course or another type of course including research components.

Are there any requirements regarding the number of students or size of research projects?

No, there are no specific requirements for class size or project scope. The program is designed to be flexible to accommodate various course formats and research needs.

Can these funds be used for individual student projects, or must they be group projects?

Both individual and group projects are eligible. Instructors have flexibility in how they structure research activities to best meet their course objectives.

Can students collaborate across different courses using these funds?

Yes, cross-course collaboration is possible as long as each participating course has been approved for Spark funding and the instructors coordinate the fund allocation.

Research Design:

Are there any restrictions on the types of studies that can be conducted?

Studies must comply with standard ethical research guidelines and your institution’s IRB requirements. The Connect platform supports a wide range of study designs including surveys, experiments, and behavioral tasks.

What participant pools or recruitment methods are available through Connect?

Connect provides access to various participant pools and supports custom recruitment through your own participants or specialized panels. Specific options can be discussed during the application process.

Are there any guidelines for the duration or complexity of student research projects?

Projects should be designed to be completed within the semester timeframe. While there are no strict guidelines on complexity, projects should be appropriate for the course level and learning objectives.

Support & Resources:

What happens if students encounter technical issues during their research?

CloudResearch provides technical support for all Connect users. We have a knowledge base, video tutorials, the Research in the Cloud textbook, and a customer support team. Students and instructors can contact our support team through the website for assistance.

Does CloudResearch provide any training resources for students using the Connect platform?

Yes, CloudResearch provides comprehensive training materials, including the Research in the Cloud textbook, platform tutorials, and support documentation to help students get started.

Can students access the platform and manage their projects from mobile devices?

Yes, Connect is accessible via mobile devices, though we recommend using a desktop computer for certain functions like study setup and data analysis.

Administrative:

What documentation or reporting is required after the projects are completed?

Instructors will need to submit a brief end-of-semester report summarizing how the funds were used and the learning outcomes achieved. This helps us improve the program and demonstrate its impact.

How are funds handled if a student drops the course?

Unused funds allocated to students who drop the course can be redistributed to other students in the class at the instructor’s discretion.

Can funds be transferred between students if needed?

Yes, instructors can reallocate funds between students within their course as needed, as long as the total course allocation isn’t exceeded.

Additional Opportunities:

How can students receive a certificate of achievement to add to their resume or CV?

CloudResearch will host a research showcase. Students will be able to submit their projects for review by the CloudResearch team. If their project is chosen, students will be able to upload a poster, video, or other materials to be featured on the CloudResearch website and then add the award to their resume or CV.

Can I share this opportunity with colleagues?

Absolutely! We encourage instructors to share this opportunity to help more students gain hands-on research experience. Be on the lookout for emails and social posts to help spread the word about Spark.