Saint Mary's College Of California

student research and development grants

Saint Mary's College Student Research and Development Fund supports and encourages independent academic research and professional development for all traditional undergraduate students through the distribution of grants to individual students.

ADMINISTRATION

The Student Research and Development Fund Committee is administered by the Dean of Student Life and the Dean for Mission and Faculty Development. Committee members include three faculty (one from each TUG school) and two students. The committee meets near the end of each month (Sept-May) to review applications. All applicants will be notified of the status of their grant application in writing at their local address (with copies to their faculty advisor and project/activity mentor) within one week of the meeting. Students receiving a grant will receive a check at the same address approximately two weeks later.

The Committee reports semi-annually to the College community announcing the recipients and their projects/activities.

SCOPE

Activities eligible for support must be related to the student's disciplinary or professional/career development. These may include, but are not limited to, attendance and /or participation at conferences, seminars, workshops, or academic fora, or work on research projects, practical application projects or publications. Not eligible are club activities, admission exams, tuition for summer school courses, group projects, and expenses incurred in fulfilling course requirements.

GUIDELINES (Guidelines, Application, Report Form)

1. All undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
2. Students should complete and submit all application materials to the Student Research and Development Fund Committee (Faculty Development Office, Academic Affairs) by the 20th (or earlier) of the month prior to the project/activity for which funding is being requested. Late applications or applications for retroactive awards will not be considered.
3. Students may apply for one grant per academic year for a maximum amount of:
   •    $500 for active participation (presentation of a paper or poster, or musical or artistic work, or research).
   •    $300 for passive participation (attendance only).
   The committee reserves the right to determine the appropriate level of funding. Funds are limited and will be available until the fund is exhausted.
4. Students may also apply to other sources for funding (organizational funds, School funds, etc.).
5. Students must identify and work with a project/activity mentor who will guide their work. A letter of support for the project from the project/activity mentor must be included with the application. This letter should include information regarding the mentor's understanding of the project/activity, the mentor's evaluation of the project/activity and its possibility for success and a willingness to serve as the mentor for the student.
6. Students awarded grants must submit a written report of the funded project/activity within thirty days of its completion to the Student Research and Development Fund Committee. Please use the "Report of Project/Activity" from (following) and attach receipts for all expenditures. No further applications will be considered until this report with receipts is received. Any unused portion of the grant must be returned.
   
   Students awarded grants must also be willing to participate in the annual Student Research "Event" (or other campus reporting activity) explaining their participation and sharing their experiences with the campus community.
   
   Any resulting publication or award should include acknowledgement of the grant.