Student Research Awards
Date: September 1, 2007
To: Students and Faculty
From: University Enrichment Committee
Subject:
2007-2008 Student Research Awards (and Early Bird Proposals for 2008-2009)
Student Research Awards for 2007-2008
The University Enrichment Committee is pleased to announce the Student Research Awards for 2007-2008. Proposals are invited from full-time students in the initial stages of research during the academic year 2007-2008. The maximum limit on each award is $450. Awards will be announced within four weeks of each deadline.
Deadlines
- Fall semester application deadline: November 9, 2007
- Spring semester application deadline: March 7, 2008
Evaluation Criteria
A faculty-student panel evaluates each proposal and makes awards on a competitive basis. Decisions will be based on the clarity, strength and completeness of the written proposal, appropriateness of the proposed budget, and strength of a supporting letter from the faculty advisor.
Responsibilities of Award Holders
Once an award is made, any deviation in expenditures from the approved budget must receive the approval of the University Enrichment Committee. At the conclusion of the project, the student must communicate the results of the project to the Puget Sound community in a manner appropriate to the project. The project advisor will be responsible for approving and arranging the presentation. A final written report of the project (preferably in the publishable format of an acceptable professional journal), a brief description of the presentation to the Puget Sound community, and an accounting of all expenditures must be submitted to the University Enrichment Committee, c/o Associate Dean Sarah Moore (Jones 212).
Notice on Grant Limits:
Because of the increasing demand for student research and travel funds, the University Enrichment Committee may be unable to award more than one research or travel grant to a single student during the 2007-2008 academic year. A student receiving a research grant should not expect to receive a travel grant or a second research grant. A student receiving a travel grant should not expect to receive a research grant or a second travel grant. The Committee is currently seeking additional funding support.
Application Guidelines
All materials (except the application form) should be typewritten. Complete applications should include:
- Application Form
Be sure to obtain all signatures requested.
Download the application form. -- 58KB, Word format -- - Project Proposal
Maximum of 5 pages, including the following elements: - Abstract. Write a summary of no more than 100 words describing the purpose and methods of your project.
- Student's Background/Preparedness. Discuss relevant preparation from academic courses, research assistantships, and/or other experiences (e.g., work, internships, travel). What makes this research area interesting to you?
- Project Purpose and Background. Discuss the purpose and value of the research in both non-technical as well as formal disciplinary terms. Provide background on the topic, such as its theoretical/historical context in general and within the field, and include citations of directly relevant prior research.
- Methods of Study. Discuss hypotheses or specific questions to be investigated and methods of analysis or proof to be applied. If the project involves human subjects, briefly note where you are in the process of obtaining IRB approval. If conducting interviews or surveys, include sample questions.
- Communicating Findings. Describe how you will communicate the results of the project to the Puget Sound community in a manner appropriate to the project (e.g., written paper, seminar presentation, etc).
- Bibliography. If appropriate, you may divide this section into works cited in the proposal and those you propose to examine as part of the project.
- Budget
Please prepare a budget. This budget should include a list of all anticipated expenses, anexplanation and justification for each expense, and the expected cost of each item. Beexplicit on items included in the budget. For example, "Mailing Expenses" shouldinclude number of pieces at a specific cost; "Mileage" should include number of trips anddestinations (@ 48.5 cents per mile); "Equipment" should list specific items with costincluding sales tax; "Materials" should include quantities, with cost including sales tax.Be sure to identify in the proposed budget all of the anticipated research expenses, even ifthis brings the total to more than the maximum $450 that can be awarded. - Letter of Support
Obtain from the faculty project advisor. This letter should address such items as project value and feasibility, value to the student's educational and/or professional goals, relationship to the student's current educational program, and accuracy and completeness of the proposed budget.
Submit the Original and Seven (7) Copies of the complete application materials to the University Enrichment Committee, c/o Associate Dean Sarah Moore (Jones 212).
"Early Bird" Awards for 2008-2009
For projects planned for the 2008-2009 year, "Early Bird" awards are available. Several departments and programs require students to begin research projects during the summer or at the start of the fall semester. Therefore, students who are planning departmental theses, research or Honors projects for the following year (for research beginning during the summer or fall, 2008) may submit "early bird" proposals for funding. The committee may designate unallocated funds for the current year and up to forty percent of the funds allocated for the next academic year for "early bird" requests. Awards will be announced on or before May 9, 2008.
(Note: The same selection criteria and protocols apply to Early Bird proposals as those outlined above.)
- "Early Bird" Application Deadline: April 11, 2008
