Undergraduate Research Fund Gives 49 Student Grants

Contact: Jan Hodson, (740) 593-2496

ATHENS, Ohio (May 16, 2001) -- Forty-nine Ohio University undergraduates will share nearly $50,000 to pursue research projects, scholarly work and creative activity under the first round of allocations from the Provost's Undergraduate Research Fund.

The fund, established last fall by Provost Sharon Brehm as part of the ongoing Academic Excellence Initiative, is making its first awards this spring. Undergraduate students enrolled full time on the Athens campus are eligible to apply for the annual allocations.

Jan Hodson, program coordinator for Honors Tutorial College, said 102 applications requesting more than $135,000 were received for the initial awards. Funded projects ranged from a study of human rights in Indonesia to research on southern flying squirrels to a proposal to create a student-run college sitcom.

Proposals were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of two students appointed by Student Senate and representatives of all colleges except Honors Tutorial College and University College.

"We were amazed by the variety of projects going on here," Hodson said. "The committee really enjoyed reading each and every application. The students' dedication to research was heartening to us."

Applicants were responsible for writing the grant proposal and could request up to $1,500. Funds can be used for supplies, materials and travel necessary for the research to be conducted. A limited number of apprenticeships also were available.

Students who were successful in receiving awards submitted well-written proposals that thoroughly explained the need for the funding and clearly articulated their missions, Hodson said. Recipients also needed the endorsement of a tenure-track faculty member who agreed to oversee the project.

"Behind every successful research fund is a dedicated faculty member -- a mentor," Hodson said. "They give up a lot of their time to help guide the student through a successful project, and they are to be commended."

Hodson expects a similar timeframe for next year's awards from the Undergraduate Research Fund, with students' proposals due about Feb. 1 and funding available spring quarter.