Grants for Undergraduate Research at WCU
Finding Grant Funding for Undergraduate Research
Although many research projects require no more than time, a good notebook or computer, and hours in the library, some will inevitably require funding for supplies, travel costs, or other expenses. Although academic departments sometimes have a small amount of money budgeted for undergraduates, The Honors College (see below) is a major funding resource. Another important source for funding projects may be found in the Office for Undergraduate Studies, headed by the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Carol Burton. There is also a wide world of external grant money out there waiting to be used for projects of merit.
Grant Funding: The Honors College
You do not have to be an Honors student to receive undergraduate research funding from The Honors College—funding is open to all full-time undergraduate students at WCU.
Undergraduate Academic Projects Grants
This fund, available between October and March every year, supports student expenses for supplies, equipment, or travel for undergraduate projects. In 2007-2008, The Honors College awarded over $16,000 in grants through this program. For more information, check The Honors College website at http://honors.wcu.edu/.
Travel to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research
The National Conference is the premier undergraduate research event in the US, with students in every major presenting their work from over 300 universities; the conference moves to a different location each year (Google “NCUR” for more information). For all WCU students who submit abstracts that are accepted for the conference (note that abstracts must be submitted online in October to NCUR), The Honors College will pay for travel, lodging, and registration (students are responsible for food, though lunch is included in the conference registration). For more information, call the Honors Office at 227-7383.
External Grant Funding—finding support money outside of WCU
The first place to go to in the quest for grant money is the Research Administration Office at WCU; not only must they approve all external grant money (funding from a source outside of WCU), but they are the best resource on campus for finding and applying for external grant money. Contact:
Michelle Hargus, Head of WCU Research and Graduate Studies, (828) 227-7212, mhargis@wcu.edu, http://research.wcu.edu/.
Tips for Writing an External Grant Proposal
Writing a grant proposal for the first time can be as intimidating as writing the research paper itself. However, by following a few suggestions, the process can be fairly straightforward and a good way of ensuring that you have thought out each aspect of the project. Grants should be clear, complete, and concisely written (avoid wordiness or repetition). Be sure to follow the grant guidelines in the RFP (Request for Proposals) very carefully and be sure to work with your faculty advisor!
The document should be divided into three main sections with certain sub-sections:
I. Introduction
a. Title Page: student’s information, university’s information, date of request, dates of the project, money requested, etc.
b. Table of Contents (for long proposals)
c. Abstract (brief overview/summary of the proposed project)
d. Introduction: What made you want to do this project? What sort of studies led you to it?
II. Project Description
a. Statement of Need: Should include the problem undertaken and the need for its solution. Why should anyone fund this project? What good will it do? This section usually includes quantitative or qualitative data proving the need for a solution.
b. Goals: Description of what you hope to accomplish.
c. Objectives: More specific than the “goals” section, should include outcomes/results specific to your project.
d. Methodology: Includes an overall description of the methodology of the project, then explains in a detailed way who will be involved, what sort of supplies will be used, and what sort of specific data will be taken and how.
e. Evaluation: How will you know when your project is complete? What will you do with the data you’ve collected? How will you use those numbers to come up with a conclusive result? How will you report these results?
III. Conclusion
a. Future Funding: If the project needs to be continued, how will you pay for it?
b. Dissemination of Results: How will you share your work? (A copy of your final product should be sent to anyone who provides funding for the project.)
c. Facilities and Equipment: If you need any special tools or software programs, etc., how will you get them?
d. Personnel: Who will be the main researchers working on the project and what will they do? If you don’t have everyone, what kind of people do you need and how will you find them? Explain why each member of your team is important, especially if you plan to pay them using funds from the grant.
e. Budget: How does all this money you’re asking for split up? What exactly is each dollar going toward? Why is the money necessary?
f. Appendices: Anything important that is either too large for the rest of the proposal or that doesn’t seem to fit anywhere else; for example, letters of endorsement or support, documentary material such as maps, graphs, charts, or bibliographies.
External grant funding information sources on the web:
-Grants.gov: a database of all grants available from the US Government.http://www.grants.gov/
-The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: a database of funding offered by the federal government for any citizen with any need, including students who want to do research. http://www.cfda.gov/
-The Community of Science: provides not only funding opportunities, but also information and resources for anyone doing any sort of scientific research. http://www.cos.com/
-Fundsnet Services Online: provides funding information for nearly every discipline. http://www.fundsnetservices.com/
-Grants Resource Center’s Grant Search: a database of grant money specifically for undergraduate students. It does require a password, as it is a service WCU subscribes to, so go to http://www.wcu.edu/6789.asp for the link to the site, and follow the instructions to receive your login information.
-GrantsNet: a division of Science magazine dedicated to the funding of research and training in the sciences. http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/funding?CFID=1123350&CFTOKEN=75550799
Other Scholarships and Grants
Ford Foundation Predoctoral and Dissertation Fellowships for Minorities: Available to seniors who are US citizens planning to enroll in research-based doctoral programs in a wide variety of fields and are also members of any of the following ethnic groups: Alaskan native, Native American Indian, Black/African American, Mexican American/Chicanos, Native Pacific Islander, or Puerto Rican. http://national-academies.org/fellowships
Fulbright Grants: Fulbright Grants are available to graduating students who propose a clear program of study to be carried out in a particular academic setting abroad. The location must be essential to the research project. Fluency in the host language is preferred, and a strong background in American culture and host current events are critical for selection (WCU contact is Dean Brian Railsback at The Honors College, 828.227-7383). http://www.fulbrightonline.org/us
National Science Foundation: Three-year graduate research fellowships in science, mathematics, engineering, and social sciences are awarded for study and research leading to master's or doctoral degrees in mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences, including the history of science and the philosophy of science, and to research-based PhD degrees in science education. The stipend is $14,000 for a twelve-month tenure and tuition waiver at US institutions. A $1,000 international research travel allowance is also available. Senior/US citizen/US national/Resident alien. http://www.nsfgrfp.org/
Plum Youth Grants: Plum Youth Grants are granted to people under the age of 25 who do something to make a difference and to change the world. If your undergraduate research project is of this magnitude, check out this website.
http://www.dosomething.org/grants
GrantsNet: GrantsNet is a search engine sponsored by the Science Journal. This database contains hundreds of national and international grants that can be discovered by typing in your research topic in the search query. This is a great place to begin looking for grants.
Organization of American States Scholarship: The OAS program of scholarship and training assists member states with their efforts in human resource development. The OAS is committed to identifying and implementing strategies for increasing access to higher education. Some OAS scholarships can be used for undergraduate research and graduate study.
http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/oasbecas/types.aspx?culture=en&navid=44/
Scholarship/Grant Books in the Library
WCU’s Hunter Library has a wealth of resources for scholarship information. By reading through any of the following books, you can research different scholarships that would be appropriate for helping you fund your research topic.
College Board Guide to Getting Financial Aid- Guide to getting financial aid
Reference Number: REF LB 2342.C65 2008
The Foundation Directory- a guide to grant programs, $25,000-$100,000, provides information on the finances, governance, and giving interests of the nation’s 10,000 largest grant making foundations
Reference Number: REF AS8.F5 2007
The Minority and Women's Complete Scholarship Book / Student Services, L.L.C- "Plus scholarships for religious affiliations and people with disabilities"—Cover
Reference Number: REF LB 2338.M56 1998
Peterson's College Money Handbook (Princeton, N.J. : 1996)- covering student aid, college costs, etc.
Reference Number: REF LB 2337.4.P46 2008
Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans- "A guide to education-related financial aid programs for students and professionals."
Reference Number: REF LB 2338.S35 2006