Office of Undergraduate Experiences
2016-2017 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)Grant Application
Deadline: March 4, 2016 - 5:00p.m. MDT
General Information:
Undergraduatestudentscanplayasignificantroleincreatingnewknowledge. Researchandcreativeactivitiesfosterpersonalized student learningoutsidetheclassroomundertheguidanceofafacultymentor. TheUndergraduateResearchOpportunityProgram(UROP)grantscoverexpenses,travel,andstipendsforUniversityofColorado DenverundergraduateswhoundertakescholarlyresearchandcreativeactivitiesincollaborationwithaCUDenverfacultymember. UROP funds will be housed in the Office of Undergraduate Experiences.Students participatinginUROPalso gainexperiencepresentingtheir projectresultsattheCUDenverResearchand CreativeActivitiesSymposium(RaCAS).
Eligibility Information:
Students seeking UROP support for research and creative activities must meet the following criteria:
- An undergraduate student at CU Denver (Downtown or the Anschutz Medical Campus) working towards a baccalaureate degree.
- A project submitted that is defined by the student’s declared major or minor. Undeclared students are ineligible to apply.
- A minimum of 15 semester hours of completed course work, with a cumulative CU grade point average of ≥ 2.5
- students graduating prior to May 2017 may participate as the sole Principal Investigator but may not serve as the Principal Investigator of a team project involving multiple students
- Detailed instructions for each application field are located on the UROP website:
- The Faculty Mentor Information page must be completed by the faculty mentor and included with the application.
- The signature page must have a signature from the student Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigators, and the Faculty Mentor(s).
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Save your applicationas an MS Word or PDF file in the following format:PI'sLast Name First Name–2016-17 UROP Application{Example: Baitinger, Mary - 2016-17 UROP Application}.
- The completed application is due by Friday, March 4, 2016 by 5:00 p.m. MDT. Email to:
- Quality of Proposed Research/Creative Work - problem definition, background, objectives, methodology, writing, reasonable timeframe
- Bibliography - evidence of previous work that supports this project, references
- Budget Details and Justification - budget details, justification to attain goals, budget feasibility
- Student Learning Potential - original and creative contribution, significant learning experience, conference, results presentation, paper, etc.
- Faculty Collaboration and Mentoring - extent of collaboration and mentoring, ongoing collaboration, student support
- Academic Record–PI’s (and co-PIs’) academic background, transcript evaluation, relevant coursework, GPA, etc.
Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS):
- UROP awardees will present the results of their UROP-funded project at the 2017 Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS), as a stipulation of UROP grant funding.
- You are invited to attend this year’s Research and Creative Activities Symposium. This is a great way to gain presentation ideas, network, and explore RaCAS. For more information, please visit:
UROP Application Page 1
PI Name:Section I - Contact Information
Principal Investigator (PI):
Principal Faculty Mentor:
Proposal Title:
Proposed Budget Request:
Project will begin: Summer 2016 OR Fall 2016
PI Student ID #: / PI Major (required):
PI Employee ID #
(if worked for the University in the past) / PI Minor (optional):
PI Primary Phone #: / PI CU Denver GPA:
PI E-mail:
PI CU Denver Expected Graduation Date:
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI):
Co-PI Student ID #:
Co-PI Employee ID #:
Co-PI Phone #:
Co-PI Email:
Co-PI CU Denver Expected Graduation Date:
Co-PI Major:
Co-PI CU Denver GPA:
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI):
Co-PI Student ID #:
Co-PI Employee ID #:
Co-PI Phone #:
Co-PI Email:
Co-PI CU Denver Expected Graduation Date:
Co-PI Major:
Co-PI CU Denver GPA:
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI):
Co-PI Student ID #:
Co-PI Employee ID #:
Co-PI Phone #:
Co-PI Email:
Co-PI CU Denver Expected Graduation Date:
Co-PI Major:
Co-PI CU Denver GPA:
UROP Application Page 1
PI Name:Section II - Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI)
CCTSI funding is part of the UROP grant program. If you do not meet the CCTSI eligibility criteria, your application is automatically considered under the main UROP program.
Biomedical research reaches its potential when lab results generate improved healthcare without disparity. In the same way, healthcare practice reaches its full potential when real-life biomedical outcomes inform lab investigations. CCTSI is the academic home of biomedical research that reaches from labs and into lives.
The CCTSI is a collaborative enterprise between University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado at Boulder, six affiliated hospitals and healthcare organizations, and multiple community organizations. The CCTSI was created in 2008 with funding from the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). More information can be found at
Research Definitions
NIH defines Clinical Research as patient-oriented research. Research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin such as tissues, specimens and cognitive phenomena) for which an investigator (or colleague) directly interacts with human subjects. Patient-oriented research includes: mechanisms of human disease, therapeutic intervention, clinical trials, development of new technologies, epidemiologic and behavioral studies, or outcomes research and health services research. Excluded from this definition are in vitro studies that utilize human tissues that cannot be linked to a living individual.
NIH definesTranslational Research as Translational research includes two areas of translation:
- The process of applying discoveries generated during research in the laboratory, and in preclinical studies, to the development of trials and studies in humans.
- Research aimed at enhancing the adoption of best practices in the community. Cost-effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies is also an important part of translational science.
Grant funding is offered through UROP for PI or Co-PI undergraduate students who meet two eligibility requirements:
1. A UROP project that involves clinical or translational research (defined above).
2. PI or Co-PI(s) are considered a member of an underrepresented group as defined by one or more of the following:
- first generation college student;
- and/or resided in a rural area up to high school graduation;
- and/or are Latino/a, African American, Pacific Islander, or Native American.
The UROP-CCTSI funding amount that will be awarded will follow the UROP funding guidelines ($1200 per student, or $3600 for a team of three or more students.
UROP –CCTSI Grant Eligibility Questions:
Does the proposed UROP project involve translational or clinical research as defined by the CCTSI NIH definitions?
______yes
______no
If no, continue to Section III (next page). If yes, additional eligibility requirements apply (below)
Answer yes or no to the following questions as they apply to the PI or any Co-PIs
Are you an ethnic minority undergraduate student (Latino, African American, Native American, Pacific Islander?
______yes
______no
Did you graduate from a high school in a rural community (rural communities outside of urban areas)
______yes
______no
Are you a first-generation college student (neither parent/legal guardian has received a baccalaureate degree)
______yes
______no
Section III - Research Project Description
Instructions:
- The UROP website provides detailed instructions for each field below. Applicants are highly encouraged to read theapplication information, available here:
- Applicants should write for an educated, non-expert audience.
- Applicants must adhere to the character and word limits for each description. Boxes for each expand as needed. Text may entered directly into the box or cut and pasted from another source. Use a consistent font and size.
- If stipend funds are awarded, students must become University employees, provide a Social Security card, driver’s license, bank account information to CU Denver, and undergo a criminal background check. Stipends are reported to the IRS as income. Stipends are paid in two installments, midway through the project and after successful completion.
2. Total Budget Requested / $
Maximum budget request for individual project: $1,200
Maximum budget request for two-student project: $2,400
Maximum budget request for group project: $3,600
3. Introduction and Background (2000 characters, 300 words, approximately 1 page limit)
Explain the background for the project, as based on previous work in the discipline. Explain how the project promotes new knowledge and learning. Previous work must be referenced.
4.Project Objectives: (1200 characters, 200 words, approximately 1/2 page limit)
Identify the research/creative activity objectives of the project.
5. Project Description(7000 characters, 1000 words, approximately 2 page limit)
Describe the project in detail. Figures, tables, and/or photographs may be included. Previous work must be referenced.
6. Project Timeline
Explain the project timeline between the date awarded and presentation in 2017. Include potential dates in a list when anticipated milestones will be reached.
7. Bibliography
Identify the references used to write the Introduction/Background and Project Description sections. An emphasis on quality academic references is expected. See “Detailed Information for UROP Application” PDF located on the UROP main page for further clarification.
8. Details of Proposed Budget
- *Important!* Explain in detailand complete a list (including dollar amounts) of how the requested budget items support the UROP project and help meet project objectives.
- For requested travel funds, detail how the travel supports the UROP project or will be used to present project results.
- For stipend funds, detail how the stipend supports the UROP project and listed the total amount requested.
9. Results Presentation
Explain how the results of this project will be presented. Besidesthe required presentation at the Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS), will this project be presented at any local, regional, or national conferences?
Section IV - Faculty Mentor Information
- This sectionis only completed by the principal faculty mentor.
- Once Section IV is filled in by the principal faculty mentor, return the electronic file to the student so that the completed UROP application is received by the deadline of March 4, 2016 to the Office of Undergraduate Experiences.
- Boxes for each description expand as needed. Text may entered directly into the box or cut and pasted from another source. Use a consistent font and size.
Independent of previous research experience, undergraduate students applying for a UROP grant need strong support and mentoring from their faculty mentor(s). It is important that the faculty mentor(s) thoroughly discuss with the student(s) the UROP project, timeframe for the research, and details of the budget before completing this section. If selected, principals and co-principal students will work closely with faculty mentor(s) between the date of the award and presentation in 2017.
Principal Faculty Mentor:
Title/Affiliation:
E-mail Address:
Faculty Mentor Support Information:
Provide the following information in each expanding box below.You are highly encouraged to write at least a paragraph for each section in order to fully indicate your mentorship in this UROP project.
Describe whether the UROP research or creative project is faculty-initiated, student-initiated, or an extension of a course project.
Evaluate whether the UROP student principal investigator (and any co-principal investigators) have academic background and/or previous research experience to carry out the research or creative project.
In detail, describe how you plan to mentor the UROP student(s) carrying out the research or creative project. Include starting support, time frame for completion, meetings with students, budget oversight, the project time frame, RaCAS presentation, etc.
Describe your role in writing this application.
Faculty Mentor Research Requirements:
Undergraduate research and creative projects that involve human subjects, animal care and/or areas of risk may need permission, waivers, and/or arrangements that comply with University of Colorado Denver policies established by the Human Subjects Research Committee, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and/or the University of Colorado Office of Risk Management.
Faculty mentors are responsible for completing the appropriate forms and following the policies for the research requirements below. These should be completed as soon as possible, so that students have ample time to complete their proposals.
Please complete the following research requirement survey by indicating Yes/No to the questions posed below.
- Does the proposed UROP project involve gathering information from human subjects or using data previously obtained from human subjects?
______no
If Yes, have you, as faculty mentor, worked with the CU Denver Institutional Review Board/Human Subjects Research Committee?
Contacted HSRC -
Protocol/Amendment Submitted / Protocol/Amendment Approved
- Does the proposed UROP project involve gathering information from animal subjects?
______no
If Yes, have you, as faculty mentor, worked with the CU Denver Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee?
Contacted IACUC -
Protocol/Amendment Submitted / Protocol/Amendment Approved
- Does the proposed UROP project involve any of the following possible CU Denver Risk Management issues?
-Use of non-university facilities (space, equipment)
-Out of state or out of country travel
-Minors (less than 18 years old)
-Non-university personnel materials
-Use of any hazardous radioactive/biological/chemical materials
______yes
______no
If Yes, have you, as faculty mentor, contacted CU Denver Risk Management?
Contacted Risk Management – E-mail:
Contract/Forms Submitted / Referral or Contract Approved
Section V - UROP Award Agreements
Listed below are statements you will need to read and understand as part of this UROP grant application. If your project is selected for funding, the following agreements will be enforced.
Principal Investigator –enter your initials in the boxes to the left of each of the following statements to indicate that you and your team understand and agree to honor their intent.
EXPENSES
If the proposed project is awarded funding, I will use all awarded UROP funds only for the stipend and/or expenses as detailed in the original Budget Request. I will contact the Office of Undergraduate Experiences prior to making any equipment purchases or incurring any travel expenses to ensure that University policies and procedures are followed.
STIPEND
I understand that if I or any UROP project Investigator will be receiving a stipend, we must become University employees, provide our Social Security card, driver’s license, bank account information to CU Denver, undergo a criminal background check, and know that stipends are reported to the IRS as income. Stipends will be paid in two installments.
EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES
I understand that equipment and supplies purchased with UROP funds become the property of the University of Colorado Denver. Equipment and supplies include all items that will have use beyond that of the grant project (e.g., video cameras, computer hardware, geologists’ hammers, binoculars, etc.) and these items must be returned to the department of the Faculty Mentor.
NON-TRANSFERABLE FUNDING AND CHANGES IN BUDGET/TEAM/PROJECT
I understand that the UROP funds are not transferable and must be used prior to May 31, 2017. I understand that if student researchers drop from the team, I will notify the Office of Undergraduate Experiences and my designated School/College budget person to review the impact on the budget. Substitution of team members will not be approved.
If, for any reason, I am unable to expend the UROP funds (e.g., graduation, disenrollment, etc.), have changes in the original budget detail, and/or UROP project proposed, I agree to immediately notify the Office of Undergraduate Experiences and my designated School/College budget person.
ENROLLMENT
I will enroll for a minimum of 3 credit hours per semester during the time that the proposed project is conducted (summer excepted). I will complete my project prior to graduation and/or May 31 2017.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I will acknowledge financial support received from CU Denver UROP or from UROP-CCTSI in any articles published, papers presented, exhibits, recitals given, etc. that result from UROP funding.
RaCAS
If awarded, I understand that I will present the results of the UROP-funded project at the 2017 Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS) in the March or April timeframe, as a stipulation of UROP grant funding.
For more information, visit:
FINAL REPORT
If awarded, I will submit to the Office of Undergraduate Experiences a 1-2 page, faculty mentor-approved final report upon completion of my UROP project, outlining my project’s goals and accomplishments. I understand that UROP final reports are due on or before May 31,2017. If I graduate early, the report is due before finals week of the semester of graduation. UROP student participants involved in a team grant are asked to submit one final report.
Section VI – Signature Section
This completed signature section must be included with the abovesubmitted application by Friday, March 4, 2016 no later than 5:00 p.m. MST.
Principal Investigator: Date:
Co-PrincipalInvestigator: Date:
Co-Principal Investigator: Date:
Co-Principal Investigator: Date:
Co-Principal Investigator: Date:
Co-Principal Investigator: Date:
Principal Faculty Mentor: / Date:
Co-Faculty Mentor: / Date:
UROP Application Page 1