How to Apply for an Undergraduate Research Grant

Application Process

You will need to self-enroll in the Undergraduate Research Grants blackboard to access the instructions and on-line application form:

1. Log in to Blackboard
2. On your home page, locate the "Tools" box on the left
3. Click on "organization directory"
4. Search for "undergraduate research"
5. Click on the arrow next to the listing for "undergraduate research grants" and select "enroll"
6. After you do this, "undergraduate research grants" should appear on your Blackboard home page in the box labeled "my organizations" (not the same box as "my courses")

Troubleshooting:

1. If you see the words "my organizations" but nothing appears below, click on the small rectangular icon on the far right of the bar that says "my organizations" to expand the list
2. If you do not see the words "my organization, click on "personalize page" at the top right corner of your blackboard homepage and add a column for "my organizations"
3. Still having problems?  Send a blitz to "undergraduate research"

Additional notes:

1. Once you self-enroll, you will not be able to un-enroll on your own.  All users will be unenrolled at the end of each academic term.
2. We are unable to confirm receipt of application materials.  Students with missing materials will be contacted individually after the application deadline.

Application Checklist

• Application form (includes budget)
• Research proposal (see research proposal guidelines below)
• Recommendation from faculty research advisor (requested and submitted via online system)
• Request an UNOFFICIAL electronic transcript through BannerStudent (more information available on Blackboard)
• Consult with your faculty research advisor to determine whether your project needs to be reviewed by the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects

Research Proposal Guidelines

• state what the project is
• explain why the project is important (e.g., how the project will contribute to your academic development)
• describe how your background in academics and/or other areas has prepared you to do this project
• discuss relevant literature and/or previous work in the area done by you and by others
• describe the project: what exactly are you planning to do
• if the research is related to your senior honors thesis, explain the relationship of the research to your honors thesis (proposed or in progress) and also specify whether your research advisor is also your thesis advisor
• include a timetable for your research (if you plan to travel off campus for your research, provide an itinerary for where you plan to be and when you will be there)
• provide an explanation for any budget items that cannot be adequately described/explained in the online application form
• if you are applying for funding for a leave term project and you do not plan to work on it full time, state this specifically and note the amount of time you intend to devote to the project
• if you are applying for funding to work on a project overseas, describe your plan for handling any language and/or cultural barriers
• if you would like the committee to know of any particular financial needs or circumstances, you may include that information in your proposal
• proposal should be double-spaced and 4-6 pages in length.  (This page limit does NOT include references, additional figures, etc.  No cover sheet is necessary.)

Budget Guidelines

On-Campus Leave-Term Expenses

• Cost of Dartmouth housing
• Cost of Dartmouth meal plan

Travel Expenses

• Travel - airfare, bus, subway, personal vehicle, etc., costs directly associated with your research. Explain why it is necessary to travel as opposed to other alternatives. If your research will take place on campus during a leave term, travel to and from campus at the start and end of the term is NOT covered.  The cost of travel to your home state or country for research is also not covered.
• Rent - hotel or other accommodations while traveling away from campus (cost of living at home is NOT covered).
• Food - meals while traveling away from campus (cost of food while living at home is NOT covered).

Supplies/equipment/services

• Generally covered:
  • tapes and computer disks
  • lab materials (chemicals, test kits, animals, petri dishes, etc.)
  • art and photography supplies
  • long-distance calls related to research
  • photocopying library materials
  • rental equipment
  • fees for translating, coding, interviewing
• Generally not covered:
  • computer software
  • books
• NOT covered:
  • purchase of equipment (e.g. computers, tape recorders, cameras, video cameras, cell counters, blood pressure monitors, etc.)
  • retroactive funding for research already completed
  • cost of traveling between Dartmouth and your home
  • tuition or living expenses for courses taken on or off campus.