Academic Year Grants

During the fall and spring semesters, students may apply for up to $500 per semester to support research, scholarship, or other creative projects. Students must work closely with a faculty advisor and are not limited to any particular discipline. Funds can be used to pay for supplies, printing costs, subject incentives, software, books, or other costs associated with the completion of the project. A portion of this award may also be used for travel expenses related to the collection of data for the student project. Only current students in good academic standing are eligible for FURSCA grants.

The application process for any FURSCA research grant is completed through an online application. 

The guidelines for writing research proposal can be found here, or you can download them as a pdf file.

Other forms you might need:

• Cover sheet in .docx format
• Signature sheet in .pdf format

The application process is comprised of three parts.

(Part 1) Proposal:  There are two parts to the proposal.  A cover page and the body of the proposal.  The student should first complete the cover sheet of the application providing general information about the project. The student should then write a two to three page research proposal, providing more detailed background information for the proposed project, a description of the methodology, and a statement of goals for the project. The cover sheet includes a budget statement, listing the items that are needed and how much they cost. These application pages MUST be converted to a PDF file before submission.  The application website will NOT accept any other format. Students must also print a paper copy of the signature page to obtain required signatures for submission to the FURSCA office before the application will be considered complete. Student applicants should consult with their faculty mentors prior to submitting their application online.

(Part 2) Faculty Support Letter:  During consultation with the faculty mentor, students should supply them a copy of the proposal, and ask the mentor to create and submit (online) a statement in support of the project (also in PDF format) to FURSCA. In addition, the student shall obtain the faculty mentor's signature on the signature page.  Information for faculty can be found here.

(Part 3) Signature Page:  The student must also obtain the signature of the chairperson or director of the Department, Center or Institute that is most closely related to the research project as well as supply them a copy of the proposal.

The collection of these signatures indicates that the student's proposed project meets previously-established standards for scholarship in the particular field. FURSCA suggests that each department evaluate the quality and feasibility of the proposed research project, perhaps with discussion at a departmental faculty meeting.

Upon approval by the Department, Institute or Center, the application should be uploaded to the online application site as a .pdf file on or before the deadlines listed below. A paper copy of the signature page must be delivered to Starr Weaver, Seeley Mudd Center, room 108 (KC box# 4692), ext. 0833, by the deadline, as well.

Awards are limited to $500 per semester for a research project conducted during the school year. The student and the faculty mentor will be notified of the award or contacted if additional information is needed.
 

** NOTE ** All research that involves the use of human research participants (e.g., interviews, experiments, questionnaires) MUST receive prior approval from the college's Institutional Review Board (IRB).  IRB form (pdf format)

All research that involved the use of animals MUST receive prior approval from the college's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.  The forms can be found on their page.
 

You must apply for funding before you have incurred the expenses for which you are requesting reimbursement.

Student Proposal Deadlines:

Online Application