Any full-time, continuing, undergraduate student at Florida Atlantic University with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who is engaged in research or creative activity under the mentorship of a faculty member may apply for a grant of up to $600 to support their work. The research or creative activity conducted by the student generally takes the form of directed research, independent study, or work on an honors thesis under the direct supervision of a faculty member, rather than work conducted to fulfill regular course or seminar requirements. Students may receive only one Undergraduate Research Grant every twelve months. Grant recipients will be expected to present their research findings at an Undergraduate Research Symposium in the spring semester.  

          Grant funds must be applied to tangible research expenditures. Examples include, but are not limited to, costs for laboratory or artistic supplies and equipment; travel to archives, libraries, or collections containing materials relating to the research topic; and the photocopying of research-related materials or purchase of books not otherwise available at or through the University Library. Applicants should discuss research needs with their faculty mentor before submission of their proposed budget.  Any purchases, such as equipment and remaining supplies, must remain at FAU after the project is completed as property of the mentor’s department. The grant will not reimburse students for costs associated with attendance or presentations at professional meetings; stipends or living expenses of the grant recipient; research costs normally associated with department/college budgets; costs associated with the external funding of the student’s faculty advisor for research in the same general area; the hiring of assistants or other external services; and lessons or costs associated with professional development.

          FAU's Student Government Association (SGA) has funds available for conference travel and for presentations at professional meetings. See "Student Travel Policy" and related documents at http://www.fau.edu/sg/forms.php. 

The following materials are required for your application to be complete:

1. Undergraduate Research Grant Application.

2. Proposed budget.  Prepare a line-item budget, indicating the cost for each item and when the money will be spent.

3. Project description, Timeline, and References.  Project description.  In your project description (no more than 1,000 words), include the following: 

Objective of research:   Clearly state the research focus or question and the importance of the research project; 

Background: Some brief background information on the research study, including a relevant literature review (e.g., what has already done in the field related to your research topic/question); 

Methodology: A brief overview of the methods or approach that will be used to complete the study; 

Timeline: In your proposal, please include a timeline for completing the project. Please note that the timeline may not exceed 12 months from the start date.

References:  At the end of your proposal, please include a comprehensive list of references related to the research topic.

4. Letter of support from faculty mentor.  Ask the faculty member supervising your research to send a letter of support as an email attachment to epratt2@fau.edu.  The faculty member should indicate in the letter if the intended research includes methodology involving an area of compliance that is regulated by federal, state, or university laws and policy (including the use of human or animal subjects, diving and boating safety, work carried out in a wet-lab involving the use of chemicals and/or potential blood-born pathogens).

Application deadlines.  Application deadlines are October 15, February 1, and June 1.  Should these dates fall on a weekend day or holiday, the deadline will become the next business day.