Frequently Asked Questions Related to
Undergraduate Research Award Applications
(Auvil, Weir, Fuentes-Kirk, and DeVlieg Awards)
Q - What are the eligibility criteria for the different undergraduate research awards?
A - The Auvil Scholars Fellowship program began with a 2006 gift from the estates of Grady
and Lillie Auvil, Wenatchee tree-fruit entrepreneurs. Auvil awards of up to $1,000 each are
given to undergraduate researchers from all majors, WSU-wide. Students must apply for the
award, perform research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, must be currently enrolled at
WSU, and they must participate in SURCA (spring) and share the results of their sponsored
research.
The James A. Weir Undergraduate Research Fellowship was created by Paul A. Weir in 2008 in
memory of his father, retired Army Lt. Col. James A. Weir, whose belief in the importance of a
college education matched his belief in a strong America. This fellowship supports
undergraduate research. The eligibility requirements are the same as the Auvil Fellowship.
The Fuentes-Kirk Undergraduate Research Award was created in 2012 by Norma C. Fuentes
and Gary M. Kirk, members of the Office of Undergraduate Education Campaign Steering
Committee. This award recognizes undergraduate excellence in research, scholarship, and
creative activities. The eligibility requirements are the same as the Auvil Fellowship.
The DeVlieg Foundation grant was established to support a sophomore or junior
undergraduate student within the College of Engineering and Architecture that is pursuing
research in the area of renewable energy. Students must have a GPA of 3.0.
Q - I am thinking of applying for the Auvil Scholars Fellowship program and I was wondering
what the conditions are for receiving this scholarship. Does it cover the course of a school year?
What are the limitations I must follow if I were to be granted one?
A - The Auvil, Weir, and Fuentes-Kirk awards are for the academic year (Fall/Spring semester).
The Office of Undergraduate Research expects that you will use this award to support yourself
or pay for research expenses (i.e. equipment) in order to start/continue mentored research
activities. One requirement is that you must present at the Showcase for Undergraduate
Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) during the spring semester. Additional expectations
and/or requirements should be discussed with your advisor. The DeVlieg Foundation grant has
additional requirements; please contact Shelley Pressley (spressley@wsu.edu), director of
Undergraduate Research, if you are interested in this grant.
WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
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Q - I have a student who is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree. Are they eligible for the Auvil? If
so, how should they classify themselves on the application? There’s no post-bachelor option.
Should they indicate their “level” within their new degree?
A - Yes. As long as the student is currently enrolled as an undergraduate at WSU, they are
eligible. Please indicate their level within their new degree on the application.
Q - Are students from the branch campuses eligible to apply for undergraduate research
awards?
A - Yes, students from branch campuses as well as the Global Campus are eligible to apply for
undergraduate research awards. We do ask that students that receive an award present at
SURCA; we know that can be challenging for some students, but we can help cover travel costs
if the student is willing to come to Pullman. In addition, during SURCA 2013 we piloted remote
communications during SURCA that made it possible for Global Campus students to present
during this event without traveling to Pullman.
Q - I have received an Auvil award in the past. Am I still eligible?
A - Technically you are still eligible; however, preference will be given to novice researchers, as
the funding will be used to help to get them started.
Q - I recently applied for the Auvil Fellows program. I completed the application and my faculty
member said they have not yet received a notification for the letter of recommendation. Is this
normal? Should they receive it soon? What should I do?
A - No, this is not normal. Emails are automatically generated and sent to the faculty member
listed immediately after the application is successfully submitted. It is possible that 1) their
email address was incorrectly entered on the application; or 2) the email sent to the faculty
advisor landed in their “spam” or “junk” folder. If the faculty advisor has not received the
email, please contact UGResearch@wsu.edu and report the problem, which we will look into as
quickly as possible. In the meantime, you may send this message to your advisor:
To: (Faculty advisor)
From: (Student name)
Subject: Request for recommendation letter for WSU Fellowship applicant (student name)
Dear (Faculty advisor),
(Student name) wishes to have you send a letter of recommendation supporting their
application to our Auvil Fellows program(s). Please send an email with your letter of
recommendation as an attachment to UGresearch@wsu.edu
WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
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Through the generosity of many private donations, the Office of Undergraduate
Research at Washington State University is sponsoring independent undergraduate
research, scholarship, or creative activity that is supervised by a faculty member.
(Student name) should have already contacted you about this project. Please respect the
deadline(s) for the appropriate program(s).
Thank you for your support.
Shelley Pressley
Director, Undergraduate Research
Assistant Research Faculty, Civil and Environmental Engineering Washington State
University UGresearch@wsu.edu
Q - I am a third year undergraduate student of the Dept. of Information Systems (IS), Birla
Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India, enrolled in its Four Year M.Sc. degree
course. I wanted to know if i am eligible to apply in this program.
A - No, the Auvil Scholars Fellowship program is only available to currently enrolled WSU
undergraduate students.
Q - I am looking to apply for the Auvil scholarship. However, my research is done with another
undergraduate student. Should we submit the same application, or apply separately with the
same project description?
A – Please apply separately with the same project description but indicate in the proposed
research project description (first sentence) that this application is for a joint research project,
and that you plan to share the award. If awarded, each of you will receive half of the award.
Q - Am I still eligible for the award if I receive the maximum amount of financial aid? I am
awarded grants for this school year, as well as loans, which I have taken out. My thinking is that
if I am awarded such a scholarship, it would mean less loans I have to take out, but I don't know
if the amount of financial aid you have been awarded can disqualify you.
A - You are eligible for any of the undergraduate research awards (i.e. Auvil) regardless of your
financial situation. However, since this award is administered as a scholarship, depending on
your situation, the award may go towards paying off your loans. So, you are correct, if awarded,
it may mean fewer loans you need to take out. Specific questions about scholarships and
financial aid should be addressed to the Financial Aid office.
WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
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Q - I am a prospective neuroscience major at WSU and am waiting to be certified as I'm currently
enrolled in one of the pre-requisite courses for the major. As such, I am technically "undeclared,"
but have completed/am currently enrolled in that major's required classes and expect to be
certified. So, my question is, does it matter that I have not yet been certified? Can I simply put,
"intended neuroscience" for my major on the application?
A - Yes. Please indicate which major you are currently working towards if you are “undeclared”.
—Prepared September 2013
WSU Office of Undergraduate Research
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