Graduate Recruitment Assistance Fund

Strengthening graduate education is one of the guiding priorities for the University of Arkansas and an important component is the recruitment and retention of a highly qualified and diverse graduate student population. Through the Graduate Recruitment Assistance Fund (GRAF), the Graduate School and International Education (GSIE) will encourage, empower, and support University of Arkansas graduate programs with their recruitment efforts. One of the primary goals for GSIE will be to increase graduate enrollment.

Toward that end, GSIE has created a special fund to provide financial support for programs and departments that grow graduate enrollment and/or add graduate student diversity to the program or University. Funds can be requested for activities such as the development of print or web-based recruitment materials, participation in recruitment fairs or recruitment activities at professional meetings—a generated list of names and contact information is required. Funds may not be used to pay for student travel, the purchase of equipment, regular office supplies, or to cover university faculty/staff/student salary or extra pay.

Special consideration will be given to proposals aimed at growing graduate enrollment in a department or program(s).

Application Procedure

Proposals must be submitted to gradinfo@uark.edu. GSIE accepts proposal submissions on a rolling basis.

Proposals should adequately cover

A summary of the proposed recruitment initiative(s), goals/objectives and expected outcome, budget, timeline, necessary resources, and should include provisions of matching funds from the department or college.

Awarding Procedure

The Dean’s Office will review the request and notify the program of the decision.

Funding Disbursement Procedure

Funds will be disbursed upon submission of the following

  1. A final report which summarizes the outcome of the recruitment initiative(s) and ways to enhance future recruitment efforts
  2. A list of prospective students to be entered in our recruitment database
  3. Expense documentation and evidence of cost share contribution

Recruitment possibilities (suggestions only)

  • Visit universities to build relationships and recruit potential students
  • Participation in student conferences by purchasing and staffing a recruitment table.

Recruitment Promotional Items Request Form

To request GSIE promotional items for recruiting visits, please fill out this form.