Student Engagement Fund
Application Due Thursday, October 15, 2015
Mentored Student Research Projects
Project Information:
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(No more than 250 words for each)
Project title:
Background: Explain the present state of knowledge, understanding or creative experimentation
in the field, with proper citations of pertinent literature where appropriate. Make it clear why
you want to do this project, and why it needs to be undertaken to fill a gap in knowledge.
Impact: Explain the significance of your project as it contributes to the advancement of learning
in your field (i.e. the big picture)
Project Objectives: Clearly and concisely state the research problem/question or creative
concept that will be addressed during the period of the proposed project.
Methods: Describe in clear and understandable terms your general plan of work in order to
fulfill your stated goal.
What are your expected results or the expected range of results of your research?
What will be the final product of the proposed project? (poster; report; a publishable article or
chapter, a performance; a policy recommendation, and other)
Indicate how the proposed independent artistry or research is expected to enhance your
academic experience?
Funding Information:
9. Are you applying for stipend and/or expense?
a. STIPEND award: (Stipends for students are for 8 hours a week for up to 120 hours at the
rate of $10/hour for a maximum award of $1200)
i. Estimate the number of hours per week you anticipate to work on the project –
not to exceed 8 hours a week.
ii. Keep in mind that students are hired as NIU employees in order to receive the
stipend and due to the rules outlined by the Affordable Care Act, it is critically
important that work hours do not exceed the 20 hour maximum per week
including all of the on campus positions.
iii. Does your project require any additional expense funding? If yes, please follow
instructions for Expense awards.
b. EXPENSE award: (Expense awards will range from $250 to $2500. Eligible expenses
include (but are not limited to): Conference registration fees; Travel expenses (excluding
local transportation); Materials, equipment and supplies specific to the project; direct
project expenses (e.g. copying, mailing surveys, etc.)
ONLY STUDENTS IN THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
EXPENSE AWARDS!
*Please read and note all award restrictions information on our website.
Supporting Documents:
10. Copy of unofficial transcript: You can download your unofficial transcript from MyNIU.
11. Itemized budget: Students must provide a brief justification for the proposed expenses in the
budget. Students must also provide a line by line budget in a table. You may create a budget in
an excel worksheet and copy and paste it into your proposal. Budgets written only in narrative
form will not be accepted. This document is only needed if you are applying for an expense
award!
Student Engagement Fund
Application Due Thursday, October 15, 2015
12. Timeline: Provide a timeline of activities. Include specific benchmarks to achieve throughout the
semester to indicate that you are on task. This timeline should be on a weekly or bi-weekly.
Timelines written in narrative form will not be accepted.
13. Faculty/Staff Contract: This agreement is designed to promote understanding and
commitment to the role, responsibilities and expectations of both students and
faculty/staff mentors who participate in the program.
14. Letter of Recommendation (only one is required):
a. name
b. institution
c. title
d. email
e. relationship to you
f. phone
g. department
Faculty Mentor/advisor
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Faculty Mentor name
Faculty Mentor email
Faculty Mentor department
Faculty Mentor phone
Have you met with the faculty member listed above?
Has the faculty member agreed to serve as your undergraduate research supervisor?
Miscellaneous
21. How did you become aware of the program?
22. Do you qualify for work study?
23. Emergency contact 1:
a. name
b. phone
c. relationship to you
24. Emergency contact 2:
a. name
b. phone
c. relationship to you