Summer Research Partnerships offer faculty/student teams an opportunity to pursue a common research or creative interest in a sustained manner.  Projects should draw upon the expertise of a Meredith faculty member and utilize the facilities and resources of the college.  Ideally a research project will produce a tangible result (publication, presentation, creative work)  for the student and the faculty mentor. 

 

Criteria

 

Research at Meredith is defined by discovery, creativity, integration, and application.  Your project should accomplish at least two of these aims, which are defined as follows:

• Discovery generates knowledge we didn’t have before and uses analytical methods to do so.
• Creativity generates new insights or interpretations that foster reflection about our world and ourselves.
• Integration brings forth new perspectives by linking what we know and/or what we do in new ways.
• Application reveals how knowledge leads to new practices or technologies or material innovations.

Summer Research Partnership awards are merit-based and do not consider financial need.  Stipend payments for the summer of 2009 will range from $1000 to $2500, with amounts determined by the depth and extent of the project.  A full award involves a commitment of 280 hours of work on the project.  The work can be done on a full-time basis of 35 hours a week for eight weeks, or it can be done part-time over a longer period.  The time commitment associated with partial awards will be in proportion to this standard. Students should view the stipend award as a work commitment.

 

Research can be conducted between May 1 and August 10, beginning as soon as payroll arrangements are finalized.  In addition to the time committed to research, student researchers must attend a minimum of two group discussions, present their results at “A Taste of Research” in October, and assist with one Meredith-sponsored event involving research during the 2009-10 academic year.

 

Student researchers are responsible for submitting payroll documents to the Human Resources office by April 30. 

 

If the Undergraduate Research budget allows, Summer Research Partners may be awarded up to $300 to cover research costs.  All nondisposable materials purchased for research become the property of the college as of August 31, 2008 unless otherwise specified.   Travel grants of up to $450 may also be available. 

 

 

Application

 

The application includes five parts:

 

____ Proposal Cover Sheet  (Please print, complete and sign this form.)

____ Proposal Narrative

____ Faculty Statement of Support

____ Timeline

____ Estimate of Expenses

 

Click here to access the forms and instructions.

 

Submit one copy of the completed application forms to the Undergraduate Research Program, SMB, by Wednesday April 8 at 5:00 p.m. An electronic version of the narrative, timeline, and expenses should be submitted to research@meredith.edu.  Award notifications will be made by Tuesday, April 21. 

 

If you have questions, please email cuffneyf@meredith.edu or call 760-2879 or 760-8817. 

 

 

Process

 

Student/faculty team completes the application and submits it to Undergraduate Research Program, SMB.  Place it in the mailbox under front stairs.  DEADLINE:  Wednesday, April 8

 

The Undergraduate Research Committee reviews applications and makes funding recommendations. 

 

Awardees will be notified by Tuesday, April 21.

 

After award notification, student researcher –

 

1. makes payroll arrangements with Ms. Kay Miller in Human Resources Department.  Guidelines are available on the door of 149 SMB.  Paperwork and supporting documents (proof of citizenship) are due by April 30.  Please read and follow the guidelines carefully.
2. Returns the signed research contract to the director of Undergraduate Research

 

Student/faculty teams carry out their work between May and August 7.

 

Student researchers attend at least two group luncheons/meetings on May 27, June 24, and July 15. 

 

Faculty mentors will provide a progress report to the director of Undergraduate Research by Wednesday, July 29.  This report should confirm that the student has made adequate progress.  It is required for processing of the August payroll check. 

 

Student researchers present posters representing their work at “A Taste of Research,” date TBA in October 2009.