PURF provides awards to support research by undergraduate students enrolled full-time in an Athens campus college. The assistant dean of the Honors Tutorial College administers the fund. As defined by this program, research includes scientific studies as well as scholarly work and creative projects.

The deadline for the 2009-10 academic year is Friday, Sept. 18.

PURF grants contribute to the university's high rankings on student engagement in the National Survey of Student Engagement, Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit said.

"By providing funding and mentoring, PURF helps students capitalize on their abilities to create and communicate knowledge and insights," Benoit said. "It's a great program.

"The number of undergraduates who engage in research and creative activity is impressive and something that makes Ohio University unique," she added.

Ohio University provides $50,000 annually for the grants. Individual awards range from $100 to $1,500, with an average award of about $1,000, said Honors Tutorial College Assistant Dean Jan Hodson. Last year, 55 students received PURF grants.

"PURF allows undergraduates to pursue their own individual original research or creative activity," Hodson said. "It's a great opportunity for students."

PURF recipients are expected to present their research at Ohio University's annual Research and Creativity Expo, which is held each May.

This year's guidelines and application form are available on the Executive Vice President and Provost's Web site or the Honors Tutorial College Web site. The forms change annually, so it is important to fill out the current form.

For more information, e-mail Hodson at hodsonj@ohio.edu.