No competitions until further notice

1. Eligibility

1. The Program is intended to facilitate undergraduate research and creative activities that are over and above those normally conducted in the context of courses taken for academic credit. Mentored independent student projects that are not associated with a for-credit course, including summer research, are eligible for funding. Student team proposals will not be considered.
2. The Program is open to all registered full-time undergraduates in good standing.
3. Tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible to mentor the students.

2. Application Process

Each proposal must include the following:

1. A completed cover page which is at the end of this document
2. A project description, of not more than 5 pages (12 pt font, 1" margins and single spaced) in length excluding references and necessary addenda. Please see the Proposal Guidelines.
   
3. A budget and budget justification page giving specific justification for all budget items.
4. A résumé for the student, not to exceed 2 pages, containing the student's current GPA as well as a list of specific completed courses demonstrating the student's ability and qualifications to successfully carry out the project.
5. A short curriculum vitae for the faculty mentor, not to exceed 3 pages, indicating the faculty member's expertise in the research area and his/her experience supervising students.
6. A "Faculty Mentor Assessment of Undergraduate Work" form (attached at end of this document).

3. Timelines

There are two cycles of proposal review annually with deadlines for proposal submission being November and April.

1. Proposals that are submitted for the Fall deadline will be reviewed by the Committee and decisions on funding made for projects starting Winter or Spring Quarter.
   
2. Proposals submitted for the Spring deadline will be reviewed by the Committee and decisions on funding made for projects starting Summer or Fall Quarter.
   

The project funding is for one year, and the project must be completed prior to the student graduating from the University.

4. Award Amount and Budget Constraints

1. Award Amount: Each funded proposal will receive an award not to exceed $4,000. This amount includes $1,000 stipend for the student, $2,000 stipend for the faculty mentor and up to $1,000 for the project's operating costs, including presentation of the results at regional and national conferences and venues.
2. Use of Funds: Funds may be used for expenditures needed to complete the project. Student travel to conferences or venues to present the project results. Faculty mentors' travel to the conference or venue may be included in the operating budget when justified.
3. Funds may not be used for the following:
   • fees and/or tuition for classes at WWU or other institutions
   • creative workshops brought to WWU
   • food and/or beverages
   • costs of projects that are already completed or retroactive payment of costs.
   • Equipment or computers that should normally be part of a research facility may not be requested in the budget. All equipment purchased as part of the project are property of the mentor's home department upon completion of the project.
   • All operating expenses must be used to support the specific project funded-monies cannot be applied to or interchanged with other (departmental) expenses.

5. Faculty Advisor:

Each student proposal must be accompanied by a "Faculty Mentor Assessment of Undergraduate Work" form. This form will be completed by the faculty mentor who agrees to provide direction to the student.

6. Review:  

Proposals will be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary faculty committee appointed by the Vice Provost for Research. Final determination will be made by the Vice Provost for Research. The proposals will be evaluated on merit and the likelihood that the student proposing the project can complete it.

7. Dissemination:

No competitions until further notice

Form