BSES SENIOR RESEARCH GRANT

GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT RESEARCH

These instructions and forms are for proposals to support BSES senior research in the environmental sciences (e.g. ecology, geology, atmospheric science, human-environment interactions).  Awards of up to $500 will be granted on a competitive basis.  Awards greater than $500 may be considered under special circumstances.

Priority will be given to research projects without other external funding sources, but all BSES students are encouraged to apply.  An application consisting of a research plan and timetable, budget, and two letters of recommendation should be submitted to the director of the BSES program (Bruce Douglas, BSES Program Director, Geology 423, IUB, 855-3848, douglasb@indiana.edu).

Eligibility Requirements

This research funding is available to all regular, BSES students of Indiana University with full-time status.  It is expected that the student will be in their senior year when completing the research outlined in this proposal.  Students should be enrolled full-time during the period of the grant, although the research may carry over during summer sessions when this is not the case. 

Application Procedure

A completed application and the two letters of recommendation may be submitted to Bruce Douglas any time, but target deadlines are December 1 and April 1.  Notification of awards will be made as quickly as possible.  An application form is attached here or can be requested from the director.  The completed form should include a specific research plan, timetable, and a detailed budget (listing other sources of funding, including pending grant applications).  The budget may include up to $300 for reimbursement of personal expenses related to the research project (travel to and from the site, purchase of books or research materials, etc.).  Two supporting letters of recommendation must also accompany the application.  The letters of recommendation should be in sealed, signed envelopes and included with the application.

Selection Criteria

The awarding of these grants will be based on the following criteria:
1.  The quality, feasibility, and appropriateness of the research being proposed
2.  The promise of positive intellectual growth, regardless of the specific outcome of the research.
3.  Established academic credentials and background for conducting the proposed research
4.  Academic and intellectual support available to student to complete the research
5.  Support of the supervising faculty member.