Undergraduate Academic Project Grants support undergraduate research and creative work for Western Carolina University students, in the US or abroad. Any full-time student or group of students working with a faculty sponsor is eligible to apply for a grant that might provide support in many ways, including travel, equipment, or supplies. Equipment purchased through a grant reverts back to the student’s department once the project is complete.
Grants for projects outside the United States will most likely involve travel; the international grants are provided to encourage WCU undergraduates to go abroad for research or to present work at conferences outside the United States. Regular study abroad expenses (travel for a semester or longer to take university courses) is not covered by this grant program. The international grants most often will fund short-term travel related to a research or creative projects or presentation of work at an international conference.
Guidelines for Undergraduate Academic Project Grants Proposals
1. This program is administered by The Honors College; please direct questions to Dean Brian Railsback at 227-7383 or by e-mail (brailsba@wcu.edu), or to the Grant Committee members listed below. For information regarding travel forms, purchase orders, or reimbursement processes, please contact Bonnie Beam at The Honors College (beam@wcu.edu).
2. Project grants must be completed by the student while he or she is enrolled at WCU.
3. Research projects should adhere to university and government policies concerning human and animal subjects in research; for questions regarding these policies, contact John Hawes, Research Administration (227-3177).
4. Cash advances are not allowed for projects, although purchase requisitions submitted to The Honors College are allowed.
5. Awards will be divided among students when more than one is involved in a single project (co-presenters at a conference, for example). For such group requests, the Grant Committee may elect to exceed the normal grant limits.
6. Proposals, which should be submitted electronically to Brian Railsback (brailsba@wcu.edu), should be no longer than four pages and should include:
- A cover sheet with the project title, participating student(s), faculty, and department names and phone numbers
- A clear description of the project
- A brief discussion of the significance of the project and what the participating student(s) will learn from it
- A project plan that describes what, when, and where the project will take place, including a date for project completion
- A budget, including an itemized list of equipment, supply, or travel expenses and an explanation why budgeted items are needed to complete the project
- A bibliography of primary or secondary sources relevant to the project
6. Proposals must include a brief letter of support from the faculty sponsor (the letter should indicate the sponsor’s belief that the project will be completed if funded). Faculty sponsors should review proposals for style (spelling, grammar, etc.).
7. Please email the faculty letter and proposal to Brian Railsback (brailsba@wcu.edu).
8. Grants for travel to conferences (to make presentations) should include an e-mail or letter of acceptance from the conference.
9. Undergraduate Academic Project Grants Committee, 2007-2008
- Debra Burke, Business (227-3720)
- Hal Herzog, Education and Allied Professions (227-3360)
- Kathy Mathews, Arts and Sciences (227-3659)
- Brian Railsback, Honors College (227-7383)
- Ron Rash, Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Studies (227-3917)
- Marya Roland, Fine and Performing Arts (227-3593)
- John Schweikart, International Programs and Services (227-2567)
- Tracy Zontek, Health and Human Sciences (227-2146)