Undergraduate Research

In addition to building a relationship with a faculty mentor and gaining valuable experience, students may get a jump on preparing for graduate school or their career, publish or present their work and establish contacts which will improve their prospects for success. The funding can defray the costs associated with working on a project. However, since any part of the grant taken as a student assistant payment ($500 max.) is considered income, it could affect financial aid. You can check with the Financial Aid office (559) 278-2182 for more information.

(funds for the 2019-20 academic year)

• Students must be enrolled as full-time or part-time undergraduate students with at least two semesters remaining before they will graduate,
• be in good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher),
• show substantial initiative in the project, and
• have a faculty mentor who is willing to work with the student as well as complete the required faculty mentor portion of the application by the scheduled deadline.
• Projects from all majors are eligible for the Undergraduate Research Grant.
• Funds from the grant must be spent and receipts submitted by March 31 of the funding academic year.

• Faculty member must be tenured or tenure-track faculty,
• willing to work closely with the undergraduate student on the project,
• complete the faculty mentor portion of the application by the scheduled deadline, 
• have knowledge/expertise in the area of project to be completed, and
• demonstrate the ability to effectively mentor an undergraduate student.

Finding a faculty mentor: Talk to your instructors and your adviser about the activities in which they will be involved. Share your interests with them. Ask them for suggestions of faculty who may have similar interests. Use the University Experts website.

Research proposals are reviewed by a specifically designated committee from the Division of Research & Graduate Studies - Sponsored Programs and Associated Students, Inc. Each proposal is carefully rated on:

• overall quality of the research proposal,
• if multiple students apply but work on the same project with one faculty member, each applicant must have their individual role, unique research question and/or separate assignments for the given project;
• significance of the project and merit of the work involved toward the student's area of study;
• appropriateness of the methodology/creative focus; 
• if the proposed project can be completed by project deadline, especially grant funds expenditure deadline, and
• strength of proposed mentoring relationship.

• Establish a faculty mentor and submit a research proposal.
• Follow up with mentor to ensure they completed their portion of the application.
• Describe the project, how you expect to carry it out, your level of involvement, expected outcomes, provide a detailed budget by item, and a timeline for completion.
• Students must have individualized roles, unique research questions and/or separate assignments if applying for grants on the same project; or students can apply as "co-applicants" in one application on the same project with identical research questions and assignments. If awarded, the co-applicants share the $1,000 grant.
• Students will likely want to edit several drafts of their proposal and meet with their faculty mentor before submitting it online.

Undergraduate Research Grant funds can be used to:

• cover project-related software,
• purchase equipment, materials, and supplies,
• travel, 
• data collection and analysis, and
• other project-related expenses.
• Funds may not be used for faculty compensation of any kind.

For more information or questions regarding expenditures and reimbursement procedures, please contact the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at 559.278.2448. Requests for reimbursements should be sent to the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at mail stop TA 51.

• Students must work closely with their faculty mentor. 
• complete their project by the specified deadline,
• submit a final report to the Division of Research & Graduate Studies by March 31, 2020, and
• spend funds by March 31, 2020.

The use of people and animals in research is federally regulated. To use people in your research, you may have to get approval from the University's Institutional Review Board (IRB). Your faculty mentor can help you determine whether or not you will need approval and can also assist you with the approval process. More information is available on the Human Subjects website; click on The Institutional Review Board link under "Contact Information."

If you plan to use animals in your project, you will need to work with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Again, your faculty mentor can assist you with this process.

• CAH - College of Arts and Humanities
• CSB - Craig School of Business
• CHHS - College of Health and Human Services
• CSM - College of Science and Mathematics
• LCOE - Lyles College of Engineering
• JCAST - Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
• KSOEHD - Kremen School of Education and Human Development 
• COSS - College of Social Sciences

Fall 2018-19 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Spring 2018 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2017-18 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2016-17 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2015-16 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2014-15 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2013-14 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2012-13 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2011-12 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2010-11 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)

Fall 2009-10 Undergraduate Research Awardees (pdf)