RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSALS
The Undergraduate Research Grant is a competitive award for students from all disciplines on campus: Humanities (e.g., Classics, Psychology, Art History, Studio Art, Literature, Languages, and Education) and the Sciences (e.g., Industrial Engineering, Biology, Management, and Chemistry).
There are three possible awards:
1. Fall and Spring grant awards: maximum $500.
2. Presentation Travel grants awards: maximum $400.
3. Summer grant awards: maximum $2500.
$1,500 stipend and $1000 for supplies/travel
NOTE: Only summer grants can be used for student stipends (none of the grants may be used for stipends for subjects).
ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSAL (500 word minimum-1000 maximum, single-spaced, 1” margins).
Consider whether your proposal has substance (i.e., will your research make a contribution to your field of interest or address an important issue?)
Your Intended Audience:
The proposal should be geared toward a diverse yet educated audience. The purpose of your project should be clear to a scholar from any field in the Humanities or Sciences (i.e., clarify or define within the proposal any terminology/jargon or acronyms specific to your field).
Goals or Objectives of the Project: What do you plan to achieve? Clearly state your objectives? What qualifications do you have that will insure that this project will be completed on time and successfully? Why is this issue of importance to your field of research? What is the nature of past scholarship on the subject? How does your work contribute to the issue?
Methods or Approach to the Subject: How will you go about accomplishing your objective or goal?
Budget and Justification for your Expenses
What type of resources will you need? How much are the actual costs? What is your rationale for the needs listed? Is your budget specific and realistic? If your proposal will not be completely funded by this grant, how you will find additional funds?
Timeframe
When will you begin your project? Describe what will be accomplished during each period as proposed (clarify each step as anticipated).
Bibliography
The list of works consulted should follow the manual of style for your discipline and include significant recent scholarly texts and articles.
Presentation or Publication of your Finished Research Paper
How will your research reach your chosen audience? Presentation (e.g., in the UNCA symposium or National Conference on Undergraduate Research [NCUR]) and publication (e.g., in the UNCA journal) are required. Where and when do you intend to publish the results or present at a conference or symposium?
Other Suggestions:
Make sure that there are no typographical or grammatical errors within the proposal.
Copies of past successful proposals are available in the Undergraduate Research Program
office.
FACULTY SUPPORT STATEMENT
Your advisor must submit their statement in support of your work electronically from their UNCA computer to mlemaste@unca.edu. This statement should describe the importance of your project, the likely outcome, whether this research can be successfully completed, and the quality of your work.
ITEMS TO SUBMIT FOR REVIEW
1. Fill out and submit the Research Grant Application form (http://www.unca.edu/urp/grantsympforms.html)
2. Email your proposal as one email attachment to mlemaste@unca.edu. This proposal should include: a budget, bibliography, and timeline/timeframe.
3. Arrange to have your faculty advisor send a letter of support (300 word minimun-350 maximum) to mlemaste@unca.edu.
NOTE: Only completed applications will be reviewed by URPAC.
REVIEW BY THE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM ADVISORY COUNCIL
After your application, proposal, budget, bibliography, and faculty letter of support are received, these files are compiled and sent to the members of the Undergraduate Research Program Advisory Council, (URPAC) for their review and decision.
NOTE: Funding IS NOT awarded upfront. Funding can ONLY be awarded after the fact. NO purchasing can be made unless approved by the Purchasing Office (see Mila Lemaster, the Administrative Assistant).
Mark Harvey, Director 251-6831 mharvey@unca.edu
Mila Lemaster, University Program Associate 251-6122 mlemaste@unca.edu