S L I D E 1

Student Grant Program for Research and Creative Activity

College Senate Committee on Research (2014/15)

Members: Thomas Beal – History

Kelly Gallagher (Chair) – Chemistry & Biochemistry

Melissa Godek (Co-chair) – Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

Mette Harder – History

Toke Knudsen – Mathematics, Computer Science & Statistics

Florian Reyda – Biology

Ex officio: Kathy Meeker – Grants Development Office

S L I D E 2

General Program Information

Funding to support student research and creative activity projects (with faculty sponsorship) provided by the College at Oneonta Foundation, SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association, and individual benefactors

An undergraduate-focused program; per fund guidelines, up to 10% may be awarded to graduate student projects

Two application rounds per academic year (fall and spring); funding commences in Jan 2015

Last year: $76,960 awarded (49 projects, 60 students)

This year’s funding level: $55,350

S L I D E 3

Eligibility

All applicants must be full- or part-time SUNY Oneonta students during the period that the proposed work is to be conducted (retroactive funding is not allowed)

All 2015 applicants must be currently enrolled students and plan on enrolling for the spring 2015 semester

Applications from students graduating in December 2014 will not be accepted

The number of student participants on a single proposal may not exceed three [3]

S L I D E 4

The Review/Award Process

Student applications are reviewed by the Research Committee, with disciplinary consultation when necessary

Most applicants are asked to clarify aspects of the proposal after the initial review and before funding is awarded

Proposals submitted at least one semester in advance Awardees are required to present at a Student Research

and Creative Activity (SRCA) Day, held in the spring (2015 SRCA Day will be held on April 16)

Fall 2014 Semester Schedule

Wednesday, November 12 – Application deadline Monday, December 19 - Target date for final award

notifications (this may vary, depending on number of proposals submitted for review and follow-up required)

S L I D E 5

Selected Program Features

Separate application forms and guidelines are used for Research projects and Creative Activity projects

Fellowships:– All student awardees will be considered for a fellowship;

however, fellowships are not part of the application process

– Maximum student fellowship funding is $300 per project, not per student if multiple

– Student fellowships are not requested in the submitted application budget but, rather, will be recommended by faculty sponsors after work on the project has commenced

– Faculty sponsors will receive a $300 fellowship or travel award for each sponsored project; for projects with multiple mentors, the $300 award will be split

S L I D E 6

Selected Program Features (cont.)

Research Grant awardees will be required to complete a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training before accessing funds; faculty sponsors must also compete RCR training before award is activated

Creative Activity Grant awardees will not be required to complete RCR training

S L I D E 7

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

Well written in language directed to a general, educated audience

Clearly articulated background/ inspiration

Well documentedWell constructed and justified budgetsStrong faculty sponsor supportALL INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOLLOWED!

S L I D E 8

What Makes a Weak Application?

Use of discipline-specific jargon/overly technical language

No references included (research applications) or inappropriate format

Insufficient budget justification and/or ineligible expenses requested

Role of project participants not clearly defined Lack of strong faculty sponsor support Excessive grammatical and/or spelling errors;

poorly written INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED!

S L I D E 9

Other Related Student Programs

Student Research & Creative Activity (SRCA) Day– Held annually in the spring semester– 2014 SRCA Day featured 127 presentations

with 191 students and 73 faculty sponsors The College at Oneonta Foundation Awards for Excellence in

Student Research & Creative Activity– SRCA Day presentations are reviewed by a panel of judges– “Best in Show” presenters are recognized with monetary

fellowships funded by the College at Oneonta Foundation at an awards receptions

The Caroline (‘67) and David D’Antonio Undergraduate Student Travel for Excellence Program– An annual total of $30,000 for a five-year period has been made

available to assist undergraduate students with expenses incurred for professional travel

– Students may apply for up to $750 for travel to present (priority) and/or attend conferences related to their field of study

S L I D E 10

THANK YOU!

Please feel welcome to contact any member of the Committee

on Research with questions regarding the Student Grant Program for Research and

Creative Activity.

Thank you for your interest!!