STUDENT RESEARCH FUNDS

Luther College recognizes the importance of undergraduate research in achieving its academic mission.  Student research is supported through a series of distinct programs, most of which are coordinated by the Honors Director, with oversight by the Honors Advisory Committee.  The following general guidelines help increase the impact of the available funds: 

·         Applications are accepted throughout the year but must be submitted in advance of the proposed project.

·         Applications require the signature of both the student and the faculty supervisor.

·         Priority will be given to projects that involve substantial student initiative and originality.

·         Non-consumable items purchased with research funds (e.g., equipment, reference books) become the property of Luther College.

·         Students often share travel costs (e.g., meals, partial registration fees).

·         At the end of the project or the academic year, recipients must submit to the Honors Director a final, co-signed report that includes a project summary and a list of actual expenditures.  Grant recipients should feel an obligation to seek opportunities to present their research at departmental colloquia, campus research fora, or national conferences.

Research Grants

·         For student research projects and conference travel, especially to present student research.

·         Awards will not typically exceed $400 per student for a single project.

Honors Projects

·         For student research projects of unusual rigor or sophistication, or conference travel to present such research.

·         Intended primarily for students intending to complete Course Honors or Departmental Honors; minimum 3.3 GPA.

·         Awards will not typically exceed $400 per student for a single project.

Academic Administrative Assistantships (administered by Assistant Dean Jane Whelan)

·         Assistantships allow students to do research and develop professional skills in their major field of study in a paid work position during the academic year or the summer.

·         Application by faculty on a separate application form; proposals accepted until funds are expended.

National Conference on Undergraduate Research

·         Student oral presentations, poster sessions, performances, and exhibits on scholarly and artistic activities; major speakers; changing site; typically occurs in April.

·         Separate application form, requiring a research abstract, due November 15.

·         Luther pays transportation, lodging, and partial registration costs; student pays partial registration and meal costs.

Summer Faculty/Student Collaborative Research Grants

·         Projects should emphasize original student research, include on-going faculty/student collaboration, and be accomplishable during eight weeks of on-campus research during the two summer school sessions.

·         Support available for all disciplines.

·         Student stipend ($2500), student on-campus housing (no stipend for off-campus housing), faculty stipend ($500), and project expenses (up to $500).

·         Normally only one student per faculty member will be funded.

·         Separate application form, to be completed jointly by student and faculty member, due late March.

Iowa College Foundation:  McElroy Student Research Awards and Maytag Innovation Awards

·         Outside funding coordinated by Luther College (Honors Director and the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations)

·         Separate application forms, requiring student and faculty authorship, typically due early April.

·         Awards up to $2000, including $1000 for a student stipend (no faculty stipends allowable).

·         Participating faculty and students will be invited to attend a symposium where their project results will be presented.

STUDENT RESEARCH FUNDS

DATE:  __________________

STUDENT APPLICANT (Name and signature):  ___________________________________________________

DISCIPLINE:  _________________________________________  YEAR IN SCHOOL:  ________________

FACULTY SUPERVISOR (Name and signature):  __________________________________________________

PROJECT TITLE:  ___________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT DATES:  ______________________________            AMOUNT REQUESTED:  __________________

DESCRIPTION:

On a separate sheet, fully describe the project (goals, methodology, and, as much as possible, its benefits to the student, the faculty member, and the college).

Include an itemized budget‑‑rather than a lump sum request‑‑and attach relevant supporting materials.  (Indicate the sources and amounts of any other support.)

We prefer being reimbursed for approved expenses after delivering all receipts to the Honors Director.

Because of the project’s complexity, we prefer that the approved amount be deposited in a Financial Services account under the faculty supervisor’s name:  “Staff Development: 58-0006—Faculty Member’s PRNO”.

Deposit approved amount in another account:  __________________________________(name & number).

Approval (Signature and date):  __________________________________            Amount Approved:  ___________