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Honors Research Grant

Eligibility:Applicants must be third year Commonwealth College students planning to pursue honors research and thesis/project in their senior year.

Number ofAwards:Up to 20

Prizes:CommonwealthCollege will provide financial support of up to $1,000 for materials and/or activities directly related to the student's senior-year research in connection with an Honors thesis or project.

To Apply:Submit Application Form and Research Proposal, written in conjunction with a faculty sponsor, to Attn: Honors Grants, Commonwealth College Office, 504 Goodell.

Deadline: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 5:00 PM

APPLICATION  REQUIREMENTS  DEADLINE
  • Candidates must file an application form (use the downloadable application or obtain a form at the Commonwealth College Office, 504 Goodell). Application information may be used for a press release.
  • Candidates will submit a typed, single-sided, single-spaced6-page proposal that is formatted with the following sections (see section page limits below):
  1. Background and Significance –Provide an introduction that lays the framework for the research and describes why it is important and creates new knowledge. Use scholarly references to briefly review the research that has led to this study. (2-page limit)
  2. Objective Exactly what are you going to do? This should be one or two sentences using action verbs like “develop, demonstrate, test, etc.” Also include a hypothesis, if appropriate. (1/2 page)
  3. Methodology How will you accomplish the goals stated above? Include how you will collect data and analyze the data. What steps will you follow to carry out the project? Be clear about how you will be trained to accomplish the study and where the study will be carried out. Provide information to document that you have the experience to complete the project and that the necessary space and equipment is available to you. Be sure to provide sufficient details about environment that will demonstrate that the work is feasible. (2 pages)
  4. ReferencesAll references used in the proposal should be cited. Check with your advisor to use the citation format appropriate for your field of study.
  5. Budget What is your proposed budget? Please type budget on separate page. Provide itemized breakdown, total of estimated cost, specify grant request not to exceed $1,000 and show other funding sources if applicable. Additional narrative justification may be provided if not explicit in Methodology. (1/2 page)
  6. Provide curriculum vitae of faculty sponsor and a list of other related research support of faculty sponsor. (This item is not considered part of the 10-page maximum.)
  7. Obtain faculty endorsement on application form.

Submit completed application in a manila envelope. Do Not Staple orBind any part of this application.

  • All candidates must be in their junior year of study proposing to use the grant to undertake research in connection with an honors thesis or project during their senior year, and be members ingood standing (i.e., cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher) of CommonwealthCollege.
  • Candidates from any academic discipline are encouraged to apply. Previous grants have been awarded to students in a variety of areas.
  • Recipients must present their findings/progress at the annual Massachusetts statewide Conference on Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, Creative, and Public Service Activities to be held in spring 2012.
SELECTION

A selection committee, appointed by the Dean of Commonwealth College, will select recipients of the Honors Research Grants. Selection will be based on:

  • Merit, feasibility and organization of the proposed project.
  • Applicant's and faculty member's training, credentials, and expertise to carry out the proposed activity.
  • Dedication of the student and faculty member to the project.

Honors Research Grant Application Form Revised 10/02

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Application for Honors Research Grant – Academic Year 2011-2012

Student ID / Email / Total Grant Requested
Name (last) / (First) / (Middle)
Local Address Line 1 / Address Line2
City / State / Zip / Phone
Home Address / City / State / Zip / Phone
Honors Designation (check all that apply) / ComCol Honors / ComCol Interdisciplinary Honors
UMass Major (1)
Comcol Departmental Honors
UMass Major (2)
Comcol Departmental Honors
UMass Minor / GPA / Expected Grad Date
Faculty Mentor’s Name / Email address
Department / Campus Address (Room # Building) / Phone

Research Project Title: ( Attach 6 to 10-page proposal and faculty sponsor’s CV and letter of support. )

Does this research involve Human Subjects? / Yes / No / If Yes, have you applied for IRB approval or a waiver? / Yes / No

Other University awards, prizes or recognition: ( Use second page if necessary for the following items. )

Employment History (during undergraduate years and other):

Hobbies & nonacademic interests:

Post-graduate plans:

Signature of applicant: Date:

Faculty Sponsor’s Endorsement – Please initial beside each statement:

I certify that I provided guidance to the student in developing this proposal. _____

Ihave reviewed it and endorse the student’s plans. _____

I will mentor the student on this project. _____

Signature of Faculty Sponsor: Date:

Honors Research Grant Application Form Revised 10/02