Student Research Grants in Chemistry Department
Introduction:
The Student Research Grant program was established in the Fall 2009 semester to stimulate student research in the Department of Chemistry at Tennessee Tech University. The financial support of the Student Research Grant is mainly derived from selling in-house published laboratory manuals and class notes as well as other sources.
Oversight Committee:
The Student Research Grant is a part of the Student Research Program and is managed by the Student Research Committee, which is currently composed of Dr. Titus V. Albu (chair), Dr. Andrew Callender, Dr. Jesse D. Carrick, Dr. Robert J. Glinski and Dr. Edward C. Lisic. The committee will evaluate the grants based on their overall quality including scientific merit, organization, clarity, and budget.
Eligibility:
The grants are open to current undergraduate and first-year graduate students carrying out research with a faculty member in the Chemistry Department. Although the grants are open to both undergraduate and first-year graduate students, priority will be given to proposals from undergraduate students.
Application Process:
The application package for this award needs to include one original of the following:
1) Cover page (to include student name, proposal title, advisor name, submission date, etc)
2) Proposal (approximately 1000 words or more, doubled-spaced, font size of 12 or higher). The overall format for the proposal is open, but it should contain sections like: Introduction (or Background), Objective, Methodology, Project Description (or Research Plan), Summary, etc. The proposal should also highlight student’s prior research experience/results (if any).
3) Budget Form (downloadable from the TTU Chemistry website)
4) Mentor Approval Form (downloadable from the TTU Chemistry website)
In order to be considered, the application packages should be received (personally or in the mailbox) by the Chair of the Student Research Committee before the deadline. Rejected proposals can (and are encouraged to) be modified and resubmitted before the following deadline
Application Deadline:
The grant has four deadlines: October 15, December 1, February 1, and March 15. If any of these days fall during a weekend or Fall/Spring break, the dateline is extended to the next school day.
Grant Amount:
At this time, the maximum amount set for the grant is $1200, but a typical amount is expected to be between $500 and $1000. Amounts closer to the maximum amount as well as funds for travel, lodging, and meals will have to be properly justified in the proposal. The faculty mentor will manage the funds. Grant money unused before September 1 of the next academic year will be forfeited.
Final Report:
The student should prepare a report (a minimum of 1000 words, doubled-spaced, font size of 12 or higher) in a publishable format (see ACS-style guide) and submit it electronically to the Faculty Advisor, who should verify the correctness and completeness. This report should include a description of achieved research and statements of how the money was used and how it enhanced their research experience. The Faculty Advisor should then pass the finalized version of the report to the Chair of the Student Research Committee on or before September 1 of the next academic year. Dissemination of student research in a scientific setting (TTU Student Research Day, ACS national or regional meeting, TTU chemistry department seminar, etc) is also expected but this cannot replace the submission of the final report.
Student Research Awards
Undergraduate students who received a grant, carried out the proposed research, and submitted a quality final report will be eligible to receive a Student Research Award. This award includes a Diploma and a cash award. If possible, the Student Research Award will be given during the departmental banquet, at the end of the Spring semester.
