University of Washington Policy Directory

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*Formerly part of the University Handbook
Presidential Orders


Executive Order


No. 26



Internal Support of Graduate Study and Research



1.  University of Washington Research Funds

The Office of the Provost makes available several sources of funding for the support of research programs at the University. The purpose of these funds is to support research as an integral part of the mission and the academic programs of the University of Washington. These funds are directed toward short-term support rather than continuing or multi-year commitments. Priority is given to proposals where support may lead to results which justify longer-term outside funding. Graduate School Fund and Royalty Research Fund proposals will be competitively reviewed. Salaries, equipment, or research expenses promised by schools or colleges in connection with faculty recruitment or retention are not appropriate items for these funds.

  A. The Graduate School Fund (GSF)

    1) Policies and procedures regarding this fund are available from The Graduate School. The purpose of this fund is to support research and the graduate academic programs at the University. Substantial or lengthy commitments to secure outside funding are not considered appropriate for this fund. Support may be provided for:

      a) Initiation or completion of faculty research projects;

      b) Purchase of equipment which will benefit broad areas of research;

      c) Research-related seminars or travel;

      d) Recruitment of outstanding graduate students;

      e) Publication of scholarly books.

      The GSF is directed toward immediate, short-term, one-time support rather than future, continuing, or multi-year commitments. Priority is given to proposals where GSF support may lead to results which justify longer-term outside funding. The emphasis is on competitively reviewed proposals. Salaries, equipment, or research expenses promised by the schools and colleges in connection with faculty recruitment or retention are not appropriate items for GSF funding; neither are substantial or lengthy commitments to secure outside grants or contracts.

    2) The revenues for this fund come from the following sources:

      a) State funds provided in the University's biennial budget;

      b) Federal funds granted to the University which permit discretionary support of research programs;

      c) Private donations to The Graduate School for support of research;

      d) Institutional allowances provided to the University with graduate and postdoctoral fellowships and traineeships (Executive Order No. 25 of the President);

      e) Royalty income from patents, inventions, and copyrights in which the University has an interest (Executive Order No. 36 of the President).

    3) Policies and procedures for each area in which the GSF provides support are available from The Graduate School.

  B. The Royalty Research Fund

    1) Policies and procedures regarding this fund are available from the Office of Research. The purpose of this fund is to support research and innovation throughout the University. Support may be provided for:

      a) Initiation of faculty research and scholarly projects in all fields;

      b) Purchase of equipment;

      c) Special faculty research initiatives, particularly those which are interdisciplinary or serve several research groups;

      d) Initiation of faculty research projects that might yield intellectual property having the potential of eventually yielding royalties from patents or copyrights.

    2) The revenues for this fund come from the following sources:

      a) Royalty income, and related income and fees derived from patents, inventions, and copyrights in which the University has an interest (Executive Order No. 36 of the President);

      b) Income from the sale of equity held by the University in business ventures where an agreement was negotiated based on the transfer of the University's intellectual property or deeper involvement of a University employee in the business venture;

      c) Private donations to the University for the support of research.

2.  The Graduate School Office of Fellowships and Assistantships

The Office of Fellowships and Assistantships of The Graduate School provides liaison between graduate students and funding sources available to them. The activities in which it engages include but are not limited to:

  A. Assisting with carrying out Executive Order No. 28 which governs all Graduate Student Service Appointments;

  B. Coordinating student funding from certain agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Education or the National Science Foundation, and monitoring awards from these agencies to assure that appropriate terms are met;

  C. Helping administer and monitor fellowship monies from private gifts;

  D. Assisting with administration of tuition waiver awards for a number of programs such as new student recruitment, Ph.D. tuition scholarships, Graduate Exchange Tuition Scholarships, fellowship matching, and other awards as funds become available;

  E. Publicizing fellowship and award opportunities through an annual calendar.

June 1, 1972; October 3, 1977; January 2, 1986; September 21, 1992; October 2, 2006.


For related information, see:

  • Executive Order No. 8, "Classified, Proprietary, and Restricted Research"
  • Executive Order No. 24, "Research with Human Participants"
  • Executive Order No. 25, "Allocation of Institutional Allowances Associated with Graduate Fellowships"
  • Executive Order No. 28, "Graduate Student Service Appointments"
  • Executive Order No. 34, "Grant and Contract Support of University Activities"
  • Executive Order No. 53, "Animal Use"