Summer Undergraduate Research Initiative

• Currently enrolled TU undergraduate student who will continue as an undergraduate student at TU in following fall semester 
• The proposed project cannot be part of a regular class assignment, but it can be built from a project that originated in a course
• Completion and submission of application requirements by the due date
• Agreement to all responsibilities associated with the award

• Student researchers receive $15/hour with the possibility to earn credit within their major. 
• Faculty stipends listed below are the maximum available on a single project. If faculty work as a team (maximum of 2), the stipend must be split. 
  • Track 1 (20 hours/week): $2,000
  • Track 2 (10 hours/week): $1,000

• It is the responsibility of both the student researcher(s) and faculty mentor to make a positive affirmation of the expectations of the summer research project.
• Completion of designated weekly hours (based on track awarded) for eight weeks.
  
  • Track 1: 20 hours per week
  • Track 2: 10 hours per week
• Students may enroll in a maximum of one 3-4 credit summer course and should limit other fixed commitments (jobs, internships, or volunteer work) to no more than 10 hours per week during the research period.
  • If there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., course prerequisites, ELEVATE program), the student and faculty mentor may request an exemption that includes an explanation and how the research requirements will still be met.
  • In some instances, a case may be made that voluntary engagements in the community or with an organization are part of a research process. It is the responsibility of the student to make a credible case in their project proposal that this engagement is essential to the research, the research aspects of the project are fully and substantively defined, and the result will be a meaningful research report meeting the scholarly, theoretical, and analytical standards of the project’s discipline. The proposal must also include the maximum number of hours per week that would be for volunteer engagements and on scholarly research and analysis.
• Submission of a written report to the faculty mentor for review and the final version emailed to the COE Dean’s Office by September 30. There is no set length, but the report should reflect the scope of the research completed. 

• A public presentation of the project and results at an existing TU student research event or an event created for the presentation by the second Friday of October of the award calendar year.
• Student researcher shall complete any requested informational surveys connected with their project.
• Complete any requested informational surveys connected with their project.
• Complete any media requests (photos, videos, interviews) connected to the project to be used for TU News, social media, news outlets, website, and other purposes.

• It is the responsibility of both the student researcher(s) and faculty mentor to make a positive affirmation of the expectations of the summer research project.
• Work with the student directly and communicate a minimum of three times a week during the award period to advise the student and to assess progress.
• Review the final report before it’s submitted to the COE Dean’s Office to confirm grant terms are fulfilled regarding research hours and outcomes 
• Certify the student researcher(s) completion of the project according to:
  
  • aspects of the proposal
  • work accomplished in association with time commitment
  • delivery of written report/analysis or creative product (as applicable)
  • public presentation on the project
• Ensure student researcher(s) receive co-author credit if the results are part of a group or faculty-led project.
  • If the faculty mentor does not feel the credit is earned after the completion of the project, an exception must be granted by the department chair and chair of the COE Faculty Development and Research Committee (FDRC).

• A description of the project
• A brief narrative of the background literature with relevant references
• Strategies to be used or methods for conducting the research project
• The student's background or preparation for the project
• Schedule of work planned 
• If students and/or faculty are working in a group, an additional paragraph of the individual roles, expected contributions, and benefits should be clearly delineated and submitted with the application. 
• If an exemption to the summer course enrollment and 10-hour/week work obligation limit is needed, explain why the exemption is needed and how both the student researcher and faculty mentor will fulfill all requirements of the research (see bullet 3 in Student Responsibilities).
• If additional funds are available, an additional $200 may be offered to the student for supplies. A budget and explanation of the need and purpose of materials for the project will be required at the time of application.
• Evidence of IRB or IACUC approval or status, if applicable.

Go to application form.

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