URI offers mini-grants for undergrad research
Noelle Myers
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Campus
10/29/09 - The University of Rhode Island's Division of Research and Economic Development along with the Division of Academic Affairs will be offering $40,000 in mini-grants to undergraduate students who propose creative research projects.
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Peter Alfonso, said in past years there was only $10,000 available in mini-grants for undergraduate students. The Division of Research and Economic Development is still offering $10,000 and the other $30,000 will be provided by the Division of Academic Affairs.
With only $10,000 in mini-grants being offered last year, only 23 undergraduate students were awarded, Grants and Contracts Specialist, Jill Diehl said. This year at least twice as many will be awarded, she added.
Diehl said students would receive individual awards up to $800 and at least 50 grants will be given. The university could potentially offer 80 grants, she said.
Students who choose to present their proposal in a group of two will receive up to $1,000, and up to $1,200 for a group of three students.
The money will be awarded to students who submit a proposal that identifies a specific research project related to their field of study. According to the URI Web site, research project proposals should be original, scholarly and creative. Alfonso said this research opportunity is a way for students to gain experience in their desired fields.
"[This is] important because research is at the cutting edge," Alfonso said. "We're trying to enrich the undergraduate experience by involving the research enterprise."
Past award winners used the money for research projects, such as a documentary in Costa Rica, or a project that examined accounting education in Mexico City in comparison to other parts of the United States. Some students used the awarded money for airfare, photocopy costs, equipment costs, or travel costs for conference presentations.
Diehl said the money could only be used for a conference if the student is presenting at the conference. If students choose to use the money for equipment such as a video camera, the item is to be returned to the university upon the project's completion or is to be given to the student's sponsor.
Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Peter Alfonso, said in past years there was only $10,000 available in mini-grants for undergraduate students. The Division of Research and Economic Development is still offering $10,000 and the other $30,000 will be provided by the Division of Academic Affairs.
With only $10,000 in mini-grants being offered last year, only 23 undergraduate students were awarded, Grants and Contracts Specialist, Jill Diehl said. This year at least twice as many will be awarded, she added.
Diehl said students would receive individual awards up to $800 and at least 50 grants will be given. The university could potentially offer 80 grants, she said.
Students who choose to present their proposal in a group of two will receive up to $1,000, and up to $1,200 for a group of three students.
The money will be awarded to students who submit a proposal that identifies a specific research project related to their field of study. According to the URI Web site, research project proposals should be original, scholarly and creative. Alfonso said this research opportunity is a way for students to gain experience in their desired fields.
"[This is] important because research is at the cutting edge," Alfonso said. "We're trying to enrich the undergraduate experience by involving the research enterprise."
Past award winners used the money for research projects, such as a documentary in Costa Rica, or a project that examined accounting education in Mexico City in comparison to other parts of the United States. Some students used the awarded money for airfare, photocopy costs, equipment costs, or travel costs for conference presentations.
Diehl said the money could only be used for a conference if the student is presenting at the conference. If students choose to use the money for equipment such as a video camera, the item is to be returned to the university upon the project's completion or is to be given to the student's sponsor.
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