Research Grant Information

Apply for a grant

• Fall application deadline: Monday, Sept. 19, 2011           Maximum Award:  $500.00
• Spring application deadline: Monday, Nov. 14, 2011    Maximum Award:  $500.00
• Summer application deadline: Monday, April 9, 2012      Maximum Award:  $2,500.00

 Purpose

To further the aims and objectives of undergraduate research at UNC Asheville. To increase the research skills of our students, to provide increased opportunity for learning, to encourage professional relationships between faculty and students, and to advance the body of knowledge in the researcher's chosen field.

Eligibility

Any currently enrolled UNC Asheville student is eligible to apply. Preference is given to full-time students.

Grants Available

The academic year student research grants program provides for expenses associated with the student's undergraduate research project such as supplies, equipment, travel to field sites or libraries, printing, and similar costs. These expenses must be directly incurred while carrying out the research.

Fall and Spring - No funds will be awarded to cover stipends or wages, and all equipment remains the property of UNC Asheville. The time period for the grant is the designated semester or the full academic year. Application for this program includes a description of the proposed research including a timetable of research activities, bibliography, budget (not to exceed $500), statement of proposed publication outlet, and a statement from the faculty research advisor.

Summer - Unlike Fall and Spring Grants, the Summer Grant proposal may include a request for a stipend as part of the budget. The time period for the grant is the summer school session.  Research funds not to exceed $2500.00 per grant are available to cover: $1000.00 for cost of equipment, supplies, books and travel to field sites or libraries. No more than $1,500.00 of the funds maybe designated for student stipend for a period of eight full weeks during the summer. Maximum award $2500.00. All equipment including books and software purchased with grant funds remain the property of UNC Asheville. It is expected that a minimum of two awards will be made. Application for this program includes a description of the proposed research including a timetable of research activities, bibliography, budget, statement of proposed publication outlet, and a statement from your faculty research advisor. The stipend MUST BE REQUESTED if desired; it is not awarded automatically

Criteria

• The feasibility of successful completion of the research project in the time allotted..
• The opportunity for the student researcher to learn appropriate research techniques and methodology from the project.
• The degree to which the project complements the faculty research advisor's existing research program.
• The contribution the research makes to the field.
• The probability of the research resulting in a significant publication, exhibit, or performance.

Examples of Successful Grant Proposals

Fall/Spring Proposals    

Art/Humanities   F10_Art_Proposal_.doc         [1MB]     
Natural Sciences    F10_Chemistry_Proposal.doc    [36KB]                  
Social Sciences    F10_Psychology_Proposal.doc   [32KB]

Summer Proposals

Arts/Humanities   SU11_Art_Proposal.doc         [789KB],   SU11_Literature_Proposal.doc  [78KB]      
Natural Sciences     SU11_Biology_Proposal.doc  [80KB], SU11_Env_Stud_Proposal.doc   [93KB]       
Social Sciences      SU11_SS_Proposal.doc   [563KB]   

 Research Proposal Criteria

Applications for consideration need to follow the new submission instructions.

Abstract (150-300 words max)

Your abstract should:

a) communicate specific information from your research project or creative work.
b) include the purpose, methods, and scope of your research or creative work.
c) provide the research project’s or creative work’s results, conclusions, and recommendations.
d) be short (150-300 words)

An effective abstract has the following qualities:

a) uses one or more well developed paragraphs: these are unified, coherent, concise and able to stand alone.
b) uses an introduction/body/conclusion structure which presents the article, paper, or report’s purpose, results, conclusions, and recommendations in that order.
c) follows strictly the chronology of the article, paper, or report.
d) provides logical connections (or transitions) between the information included.
e) adds no new information, but simply summarizes the research or work.
f) is understandable to a wide audience.
g) uses passive verbs to downplay the author and emphasize the information. Check with your advisor if you are unsure whether or not to use passive voice.

 © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 The Write Place

Description of Research

Provide a detailed description of the proposed project, which should include a brief introduction/background, methodology, body, conclusion and a bibliography (which will be at the end of the proposal). The description of research should be between 500 and 1000 words in length and be written for an audience of all disciplines.

Time Period

Include a timetable of research activities.

Budget with Justification

The budget should include each item or service requested and its estimated cost. Rational for your budget request should be given in the Description of Research. Budget items labeled “Miscellaneous” will not be funded.

Are you seeking additional funding from other sources?

If yes, please describe in your budget paragraph. Include detailed information.

Publication outlet

 The anticipated publication and presentation outlet should be identified.

Human Subject Form

If using human subjects please fill out the Institutional Research Board (IRB) form http://irb.unca.edu and send to mlemaste@unca.edu. Please note that requests for providing payment to human research participants are not likely to be funded.

Faculty Statement

The faculty research advisor should submit a statement (between 100 and 350 words) which makes reference to the criteria for evaluation and identifies and describes the involvement of the advisor in the research program. Please estimate the amount of time the advisor expects to provide. The faculty advisor should send the statement to mlemaste@unca.edu.

The completeness of the proposal and the extent to which it follows the guidelines specified on the application form.

Students who have been past recipients may reapply, however priority will be given to first-time applicants. Also, although faculty occasionally sponsor more than one student at a time, it may be necessary to limit the number of awards per faculty member in the interest of distributing funding as much as possible.

Students who receive awards are required to present a paper at one of the UNCA Undergraduate Research Symposia (held in November and April), publish in the UNC Asheville Journal and submit a final budget report.

University Research Scholar Nomination

If you are a graduating in July, December or May, you may qualify as a University Research Scholar. If you answer yes to the following questions, please be sure and fill out the URS nomination form.  http://urp.unca.edu/university-research-scholar-nomination-information, application http://urp.unca.edu/home/students/universityresearchscholarapplicationform.

• Is my research original?
• Did I present my research at the Fall or Spring Symposia? NCUR? State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research Symposium or other? Must show proof of other presentation.
• Did I publish my research? If other than UNC Asheville Journal, BigSURS, or NCUR must show proof that your paper has been accepted for publication.