CPUB Student Grants

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Student Grants for Research in Biology

Deadline: 4:00 p.m. September 16, 2016

Undergraduate and graduate students at the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Universities are invited to apply for funds to be used to help defray the costs of supplies and equipment for scientific research. The maximum amount awarded will be $600 per research project. Grant-funded research must be completed no later than August 31, 2017.

The application must include a cover letter and detailed research proposal, both of which are to be written by the student who is requesting funding, the student author's curriculum vitae or resume, and a supporting letter from the student's CPUB project faculty mentor. The research proposal should follow the prescribed format and should also include a completed CPUB Cover Sheet and a completed CPUB Budget Form.

The maximum length for the proposal is 4 pages with one inch margins. All portions of the proposal should be typed (except the signatures) using Times New Roman 12-point font.

The four-page limit is for the introduction and materials and methods combined. The literature cited section, letters, budget form, timeline form, resume or curriculum vitae, and cover sheet are not included in the four-page limit. To be eligible for funding, the proposed research must be performed in collaboration with a faculty mentor who is a CPUB member or with a PASSHE faculty member who is doing biological research in a non-CPUB department and has obtained the support of the University's CPUB director for submission of the proposal.

The research project must be within the area of expertise of the faculty mentor/sponsor. A faculty member may sponsor only one CPUB research grant proposal per academic year. In addition, each proposal may have only one student author. Research projects must be carried out at academic institutions within the PA State System of Higher Education. Exceptions may be made for research conducted at a field station or museum, provided that the research is directly supervised by a CPUB member.

This RFP is also available at the CPUB website: http://academics.sru.edu/cpub/.

Late proposals, incomplete proposals, proposals that do not meet the page limit and font and margins requirements, proposals that are not sponsored by a PASSHE faculty member with expertise in the area of the research, proposals lacking appropriate signatures on the cover sheet, and/or proposals submitted with more than one student author will not be considered for funding.

Each application packet must be submitted as a single PDF file by 4:00 p.m. September 16, 2016 . Late submissions will not be considered.

Submit a single PDF file of the complete application packet with the required signatures to: Dr. Carol C. Mapes, Chair CPUB SGFC at mapes@kutztown.edu

Members of the CPUB Student Grant Fund Committee:

Dr. Carol Mapes, Chair, Kutztown University of PA

Dr. Brian Paulson, California University of PA

Dr. Ryan Wagner, Millersville University of PA

Dr. Tracy Whitford, East Stroudsburg University of PA

Dr. Kevin Williams, Bloomsburg University of PA

Guidelines & Instructions for the CPUB Student Research Grant Application

A. Applicant Eligibility Requirements

1. Any undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in a degree program at a PASSHE school is eligible, provided that the applicant:

• a. is in good academic standing, according to the requirements stated in the graduate/undergraduate catalog of the student's institution.
• b. is at least a sophomore, according to the requirements stated in the undergraduate catalog of the student's institution (not applicable to graduate students).
• c. performs his or her research in collaboration with a faculty mentor who is a CPUB member or with a PASSHE faculty member who is doing biological research in a non-CPUB department and has obtained the support of the University's CPUB Director for submission of the proposal. The research project must be within the area of expertise of the faculty mentor/sponsor, and this must be addressed in the letter of support from the faculty mentor/sponsor. The faculty sponsor must sign the cover sheet indicating that he or she has read the proposal and is in support of it. If the PASSHE faculty sponsor is not a member of a CPUB department, then the CPUB Director must also sign the cover sheet.

B. Project Expenditures

1. Allowable Research Expenditures:

• a. Funds may be used to defray the cost of consumable supplies, specialized services and/or durable equipment that is not available in the department at the student's institution. Examples: purchase of specialized chemicals, purchase of test kit chemicals for toxicity testing, purchase of photographic supplies, purchase of boat time for aquatic sampling, or purchase of live specimens.
• b. Funds may be used for the purchase of specialized apparatus and/or equipment not generally available in existing facilities. Examples: specialized lenses for microscopes, software for phylogenetic analysis, sample storage containers (e.g. vials, specimen jars).
• c. Travel costs incurred as part of the research are eligible for funding. Such costs may include transportation to field stations or museums, lodging, and meals.

2. Ineligible Expenditures:

• a. Grant monies cannot be used to purchase supplies or materials that can reasonably be expected to be available in Biology departments at PASSHE universities. For example, pH meters and common laboratory chemicals such as sucrose are not allowable expenses.
• b. Travel expenses associated with attending professional meetings are not eligible for funding under this grant.
• c. Grant monies cannot be used to pay salaries, stipends, or consulting fees.

C. Additional Requirements and Information

1. The maximum amount for a research grant is $600 for supplies/equipment or research-related travel. The committee may elect to fully fund, partially fund, or not fund a proposal.

2. Student grant recipients shall be limited to one research award per academic year.

3. A faculty member may sponsor only one research grant proposal per academic year.

4. Each proposal may have only one student author.

5. Research fund proposals must be submitted prior to conducting the experiments for which funding is being sought.

6. Grant-funded research should be completed by August 31, 2017.

7. Reapplication for funds for on-going research (research that has been approved and funded in a prior academic year) may be submitted.

8. The maximum length for the proposal is four pages with one-inch margins. All portions of the proposal should be typed (except the signatures) using Times New Roman 12-point font . The four-page limit is for the introduction and materials and methods. The list of references, letters, budget form, timeline form, resume or curriculum vitae, and cover sheet are not included in the four-page limit.

9. Proposals will be assessed on the basis of scientific merit, the quality of the experimental design and proposed analysis, and the feasibility of successfully completing the proposed project. The quality and clarity of the proposal (i.e. how well the proposal was written and how well the guidelines were addressed) will also be taken into consideration when proposals are reviewed.

10. Late proposals, incomplete proposals, proposals that do not meet the page limit and font and margins requirements, proposals that are not sponsored by a PASSHE faculty member with expertise in the area of the research, and/or proposals submitted with more than one student author will not be considered for funding.

11. All materials or equipment purchased will become the property of the PASSHE member institution.

12. Research projects must be carried out at academic institutions within the PA State System of Higher Education. Exceptions may be made for research conducted at a field station or museum, provided that the research is directly supervised by a CPUB member with expertise in the area of the research.

13. Students whose proposals are funded are required to submit a report describing the results of their research by August 31, 2017. The required report form is attached to this RFP. Failure to submit a report will make the grant recipient ineligible to submit a CPUB student grant proposal in the future and will disqualify the faculty sponsor from sponsoring a future CPUB student grant proposal. The late submission of a report will reinstitute eligibility for the student and faculty sponsor to submit or sponsor future proposals.

14. Grant recipients are strongly encouraged to present the results of their research at a CPUB Annual Meeting.

15. Publications and/or presentations resulting from the research should acknowledge support from CPUB.

D. Preparation of the grant application:

All of the following sections (1-4) must be included in order for the proposal to be considered:

1. Cover letter from the student who is requesting funding. The cover letter should address the significance of the research project to the student, the qualifications of the student to do the research, and the scientific significance of the proposed study.

2. Research proposal written by the student who is requesting funding:

• a. Completed CPUB Grant Application cover sheet with required signatures.
• b. Introduction

1. The introduction should contain sufficient background information to help the reviewers understand the significance of the project.
2. Literature relevant to the proposed research should be briefly reviewed.
3. The objective of the research and supporting hypothesis or hypotheses should be clearly stated.

• c. Materials and methods

1. This section should begin with a paragraph listing any non-standard materials or reagents, and the source(s) from which these will be obtained.
2. The methods must be described in sufficient detail that the reader can follow the procedure and determine that it has been thoughtfully designed. Any controls to be used in the experiment(s) should be described and the numbers of replicates that will be used should be indicated. The statistical tests to be used in data analysis should be stated, when appropriate.
3. This section needs to include a statement that indicates how the sponsoring PASSHE University's IACUC and/or IRB requirements for the care and use of animals and/or human subjects will be met if the study involves animals or human subjects.

• d. A month-by-month timeline for completing the grant-funded research completed on the attached form.
• e. Literature cited

1. This section must contain a minimum of three journal articles relevant to the project that have been cited in the proposal.

• f. CPUB Budget page

1. All portions of the CPUB budget page should be completed and submitted.
2. The source used to determine the cost of each item must be clearly listed (i.e. 6-methyl purine, SIGMA, Cat. # M6502).
3. Additional sources of funding for the project should be listed. Projects with proposed budgets that exceed the maximum level of funding available for CPUB student research grants, will be looked upon more favorably if additional funding is being sought or has been secured.
4. The budget justification section must be completed.

3. Student's resume/c.v. prepared in standard format.

4. Letter of support from CPUB project faculty mentor. The letter should address the qualifications of the student with respect to the project. The letter should also make it clear how the student project is in the area of expertise of the faculty mentor.

CPUB Student Research Grant Application Cover Sheet

Title of Project:

Date:

Total CPUB Grant Request: $

Name of Student: University:

Mailing Address:

Student E-mail Address:

CPUB Project Faculty Mentor:

Mailing Address:

Faculty Mentor E-mail Address:

Area of expertise of CPUB project Faculty Mentor as it relates to project:

Signature of Student Applicant:_________________________________

Required Student Signature

Signature of Faculty Mentor ascertaining that he/she has read the proposal and is in support of it. In signing, the Faculty Mentor also certifies that the proposed research meets all of the sponsoring PASSHE University's requirements for the care and use of animals and/or human subjects if the study involves animal or human subjects, any necessary permits have or will be obtained, and that the proposed research meets all biosafety requirements at the sponsoring PASSHE University:

__________________________________________

Required Signature of Faculty Mentor

Supporting Signature of CPUB Director if PASSHE Faculty Mentor is

supervising Biological Research but is NOT a member of a

CPUB Department:___________________________________________

Signature of CPUB Director (if required)

Proposals will not be considered without the appropriate signatures!!

Required Timeline Form for Research

Background preparation:

October 2016:

November 2016:

December 2016:

January 2017:

February 2017:

March 2017:

April 2017:

May 2017:

June 2017

July 2017

August 2017

Grant report submitted by August 31, 2017

CPUB Student Research Grant Budget Page

Complete the following table. Be sure to include information regarding all non-standard materials and services that are required to successfully complete the proposed research and the sources of funding.

Materials/services*: Source of materials/services: Quantity: Unit cost: Total cost: Source of funds:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

* CPUB grant funds cannot be used to purchase supplies or materials that can reasonably be expected to be available in Biology departments at PASSHE universities. CPUB grant funds cannot be used to pay salaries, stipends, or consulting fees.

Total costs of proposed research:

Total request for CPUB Grant funding (maximum $600):

Note: If the total costs exceed $600, explain how the additional costs will be covered by describing all other sources of funding and how these funds will be used. Please indicate whether the funding has already been procured or if the funding is pending. If the funding is pending, please indicate what stage you are at in the process of obtaining the funding. (Use an additional sheet if necessary.)

Budget Justification

Provide a justification for each item for which CPUB grant funding is sought. (Use an additional sheet if necessary.):

Checklist for Preparing the CPUB Student Research Grant Application

The application packet must be submitted as a PDF file.

*The application packet must contain each of the items listed below:

_____Completed CPUB cover sheet with required signatures.

_____Cover letter written by the student who is requesting funding.

_____Research proposal written by the student who is requesting funding.

The proposal must have the following sections:

_____Introduction

_____Materials and methods

_____Completed timeline form

_____References

_____Completed CPUB budget page

_____The student's resume/c.v. prepared in standard format.

_____Letter written by the CPUB project faculty mentor that addresses the qualifications of the student with respect to the project and also makes it clear how the project is in the area of expertise of the faculty mentor.

The maximum length for the proposal is 4 pages with one inch margin. All portions of the proposal should be typed (except the signatures) using Times New Roman 12-point font. The four-page limit is for the introduction and materials and methods. The list of references, letters, budget form, timeline form, resume or curriculum vitae, and cover sheet are not included in the four-page limit.

Each application packet must be submitted as a single PDF file by 4:00 p.m. September 16, 2016 . Late submissions will not be considered.

Submit a single PDF file of the complete application packet to:

Dr. Carol C. Mapes, Chair CPUB SGFC at mapes@kutztown.edu

CPUB Student Research Grant Report Form

Student Name: Faculty Mentor:

University:

A. Abstract summarizing the findings of the grant-funded research project:

B. Budget report indicating how the CPUB grant funds were used:

Materials/services: Source of materials/services: Quantity: Unit cost: Total cost:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

C. Presentations/publications resulting from the CPUB-funded research:

Submit by August 31, 2017 to assure that you and your faculty sponsor will be eligible to submit or sponsor future CPUB Research Grant proposals:

Dr. Carol C. Mapes

Chair, CPUB SGFC

Biology Department

Kutztown University of PA

Kutztown, PA 19530

mapes@kutztown.edu