AMS Project Proposal
Information Session
Bekah Ward ’13- Rwanda
Friday, February 1, 2013
3:00pm Ho Science Center 238
Presented by: Steve Wright & Renee Copperwheat
Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships
Colgate University
Next deadline: Monday, March 4, 2013
What is it?
Students in the Alumni Memorial Scholars
program may be awarded a grant up to $5,000 to
undertake a unique research or academic study
experience on or off campus.
Melissa McKenzie ‘12- Japan
Dong Ding ‘12- China
Eric Taber ‘13
"Road Development Along the Annapurna
Trekking Circuit, Annapurna Region, Nepal"
Eric travelled to Nepal to investigate the relationship
between development, the trekking industry, and
conservation practices within the Annapurna
Conservation Area (ACA).
Eligibility
• AMS students currently enrolled at Colgate University
• Be in good academic and personal standing
• Student can be of any class year although the final opportunity for a
senior to submit a proposal is fall of their senior year for a winter break
or spring semester experience.
• Students may receive more than one AMS Project Proposal Award during
their time at Colgate- combined proposals may not exceed $5,000
• Proposals should reflect relevant academic preparation.
Richard Merkhofer '12- Mali
Proposals may be for:
• Independent study or research
Ashley Johnson ’13- New Haven, CT
▫ On-campus or off-campus
▫ Often times during winter break, spring break or
summer break; on occasion during academic semester
▫ Can support an independent project or experience while
on a study group
▫ Can extend travel & research after a study group
• Internship or Experience that furthers academic goals
• Academic work outside of the formal curriculum and
programs at Colgate
• Attendance at an academic conference
Normally funding cannot be used for:
• Projects or costs normally funded through
Colgate programs or financial aid
• Coursework at another institution
• Projects that receive Colgate course credit
• Projects that take place in any country with a
U.S. State Department Travel Warning (see
http://travel.state.gov )
How to get a project idea
If you are struggling to find inspiration for a proposal, try the following:
▫ Review the past experiences of other AMS students
▫ Think about your favorite academic subjects and classes. Is there
anything you would like to learn more about first-hand?
▫ When reading for your classes, consider whether the readings leave you
with any unanswered questions.
▫ Discuss your project ideas with your peers.
▫ Schedule a meeting with your advisor
▫ Contact faculty members who work in the fields
you’re most interested in exploring. They may have
ideas, existing projects, or contacts you’ll find useful
Tyler Coolman ’11- Costa Rica
The Application Process
1. Review application materials and handouts
2. Schedule a meeting to discuss proposal ideas
with Steve Wright (call 315-228-6224)
3. Submit a full proposal by March 4, 2013
Meghan Healey ’11
- Cambridge, Massachusetts
4. Projects are reviewed by the AMS Colgate Review Committee
5. Students are notified via email of their decision within several
weeks
6. If awarded a grant, complete additional forms as requested
Application Checklist
• 1 Page Application
• Abstract (up to 250 words)
• Project Proposal (approx 4-6 pages)
• 2 Recommendation letters from faculty
• Transcript (s)
• Detailed Budget
• Addendums (if needed)
Margaret Swaney ’11
- Germany
Applications for Summer or Fall 2013 projects are due on Monday, March 4, 2013
to Renee via email (rcopperwheat@colgate.edu)
Application Components
• Application Form
• Abstract
▫ Briefly outline your project, its academic
Gretl Lam ’12 - India
merits, and how you will benefit from it
as a student. This should be no more than 250 words.
• Transcript
▫ Submit an unofficial or official transcript, accessible
online or through registrar’s office
Application Components
cont.
• Proposal
▫ This is where you describe the proposed project or
experience and its academic merits. Typically these
proposals are 4-6 pages long, double-spaced
▫ Sections required are:









Objectives
Methodology
Itinerary & Timeline
Travel, Health, and Safety
Proposal Outcomes
Jenna Weber ’10- Peru
Qualifications & Reference Materials
Faculty Involvement
Significance of the Award and Educational Outcomes
Funding Statement
Application Components
cont.
• Letters of Recommendation
▫ Review “Requesting Letters of Recommendation”
▫ Faculty recommendations should address the following:
 Significance of the student’s project
 How the student has prepared for the project
 Relevance to the student’s major, academic
interests, or future goals and plans
 Quality of work that might be expected
 Student’s ability to work independently
 Knowledge of the country and organization
Sara Zurmuhlen ‘10- Uganda
Application Components
cont.
• Budget
▫ Use the budget worksheet and be as
detailed as possible.
▫ Also attach a budget explanation on
how you calculated your budget estimates
and what sources you used to collect
your data (prices for flights, lodging, etc)
Karen Alley ‘12- New Zealand
Kelsie Anson ‘13
Budget advice: “It is also important to allow yourself some wiggle
room in budgeting for any extra fees like the exit fee that I was charged
in the airport to leave the country, or currency exchange rates.”
"The Real Cost of Your Lobster Dinner: Lobster
Diving on the Miskito Coast, La Ceiba and Puerto
Lempira, Honduras"
Kelsie, a molecular biology major from Wyoming,
traveled to Honduras to work in the La Bendicion
clinic, learn about hyperbaric medicine, and to
study the situation of the Miskito lobster divers.
When you return…
• Submit a Project Summary (4 pages)
• Itemized budget report with receipts for all funding
• You will be asked to give a public presentation at an AMS
Research Symposium during the semester following your
award
Ashley Johnson ‘13 presenting her
project at our symposium
11/16/12
Next deadline: Monday, March 4, 2013