University Student Academic Research Award (USARA)

Guidelines for University Student Academic Research Awards

USARA Grants are awarded twice during each academic year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Applications should be made during the semester in which funds will be encumbered.

Spring 2010 Submissions:
Due: February 19, 2010

1. Research grants, up to $500, are available to help support undergraduate research endeavors related to developing and conducting research, with a faculty supervisor, and the presentation of research/scholarly pursuits at meetings. Students should not request funding in excess of the grant awards. See Application Procedures below.
2. In any given semester, a student should make only one application for funding. A student may be funded only twice in their academic career.
3. Students must have a declared major and be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit hours) or a part-time student (minimum of six credit hours) during the project’s duration.
4. Proposals involving live animals or human subjects must be approved by the University’s Animal Care and Use Committee or Institutional Review Board-Committee on Human Research before your grant application is submitted.
5. Grants may be requested for the following expenses:
   1. Equipment and supplies. Purchased items will be assigned to the University at the end of the project.
   2. Travel to present research or academic projects at professional meetings.
   3. Photocopying, photography and preparation of slides or overheads for
      your presentation.
6. Second semester seniors are not funded for equipment and supplies without
   a presentation of the research or project scheduled at a regional or national
   conference prior to graduation. (The SU Student Research Conference does
   not qualify.)
   
7. Awards are made on the merits of the proposal. Incomplete applications
   will not be reviewed.
8. For fall and winter allocations, all monies must be spent by the last week of
   January. For spring allocations, all monies must be spent by the last week
   of May. For summer allocations (June-August), all monies must be spent
   by the last week of August. Unspent money by the grant’s ending date will
   revert to the University. Checks must be returned to the Seidel School
   Dean’s Office.
9. A final report of research activities and a completed expense statement
   must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies by the end of the term in which the grant is awarded.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE DEAN’S OFFICES:

• Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies
• Franklin P. Perdue School of Business
• Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts
• Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology

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USARA Committee Members 2009-2010

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APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A description of what must be included in each USARA grant application is listed below. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

1. Complete the following forms online, print, and submit as a package
   with numbers 2 and 3 below.
   1. USARA Student Grant Application.
      
   2. Itemized Budget Request.
      
   3. Out-of-State Travel form (as appropriate).
      
2. Proposal
   For research proposals, provide a formal description of your research project, including your expected sample and methodology in two to four typed, double-spaced pages. Also, include your results and conclusions if your research is complete and funds are being sought for conference presentation.

   For proposals related to the presentation of other scholarly pursuits, in two to four typed, double-spaced pages, please describe the process used to develop your scholarship, including the nature of the scholarship, influences, and its potential contribution to your field of study.

   For all proposals, specifically identify the activities that will be carried out with the help of the grant, discuss how the funds will be used.

3. Faculty Supporting Letter
   Include a letter endorsing your research and request for funds from a faculty member who has been directly supervising your work.
   
4. Send the original packet of all application materials (application, budget request, Out-of-State Travel form, proposal, faculty support letter) and four copies by Friday, February 19, 2010, to Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies, C/O Debra Clark, Executive Administrative Assistant, Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies, Teacher Education and Technology Center 354C.
   

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UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC RESEARCH AWARD>

FINAL REPORT SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

A final report detailing the activities carried out with the assistance of the grant along with a complete list of itemized expenses is required. Instructions for compiling the final report are listed below.

The final report shall include:

1. A typed, formal description of all research activities. For travel funds, describe the conference attended along with an account of your presentation. For equipment funds, describe the research you conducted along with what you gained from it.
   
2. A completed Itemized Expenditures form.
   
3. All receipts related to research and travel expenses.

Submit the final report (formal description of research/travel, Itemized Expenditures form, and receipts) to the Office of the Dean of the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies, c/o Debra Clark, TETC 354-C by the end of the term in which the grant was awarded.

IMPORTANT: If the final report and expense statement is not submitted, with receipts attached, Financial Services will be notified. This will mean that student grades will not be posted, you will be precluded from registration/graduation and you will be required to reimburse the money before the Financial Services flag is removed.

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CONTACT FOR SENDING APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES:

Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies                                                 Debra Clark, Executive Administrative Assistant
Teacher Education and Technology Center 354C (410) 543-6335 or ext 36335

Application Deadline: February 19, 2010