Agricultural Research Division
Undergraduate Student Research Program
Applications must be submitted to ARD by 5:00 p.m. January 19, 2024
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/3b72ae6b042e4c158ada468ad121b706
INTRODUCTION
The Agricultural Research Division (ARD) is committed to providing undergraduate students with exceptional research experience to assist in fulfilling their honor thesis requirement or other scholastic research at UNL. Funds designated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Reallocation Plan along with unit matching funds support the IANR ARD Undergraduate Student Research Program. The Program will support undergraduate students working with ARD faculty. This competitive grant program will also acquaint students with the scientific method, provide strong research and learning experiences, stimulate interest in teaching and research careers, and inform students about opportunities in graduate study.
GUIDELINES
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to undergraduate junior and senior students proposing to conduct their research with faculty who have an ARD appointment. Students must be enrolled at UNL for the duration of the ARD Undergraduate Student Research Program. Enrollment in the appropriate undergraduate thesis seminar or other research-oriented seminar courses before or during the period of mentored research is encouraged. Undergraduate students who have previously received funding from this program are not eligible to apply.
FUNDING
ARD will provide funding of up to $2,500 per student, for a maximum of 12 months. Also required are 100% matching funds from departments and/or faculty research programs. Funds may be used for research expenses, travel to conferences, registration fees, and student hourly wages. Unexpended funds will be returned to ARD.
Funds will be transferred to the faculty member’s department to support the proposed research. Students will not receive funds directly.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND FORMAT
The proposal must be authored by the student with guidance from the faculty mentor. Proposals must be submitted online before the published deadline.
The proposal must be a single PDF file which includes the following:
1. A clear statement of the problem and explanation of how the proposed research will address the problem (maximum one page)
2. A work plan that includes goals, objectives, methods, expected outcomes, impact, references, and a timeline (maximum two pages)
3. A comprehensive budget table and detailed justification for the up to $2,500 request from ARD and the 100% matching funds approved by the home department. Specify what items in the budget will be covered by ARD and what will be covered by the department's matching funds (maximum one page).
4. A letter from the faculty mentor describing their support for the student’s research goals, commitment to match, and working relationship with the student
5. A statement written by the student describing career goals (maximum one page)
Please title each section clearly.
FINAL REPORT
At the conclusion of the project, the student will submit a final report to ARD ard@unl.edu within 30 days of project termination that includes a brief description of the project, budget/expenditure summary and a summary of the findings. A one-page executive summary should be included which provides potential impacts of the study.
STUDENT PROFILE
Successful applicants will be featured on the ARD website, including a photo and a summary of their project. Past recipients can be viewed here.
RESEARCH PRESENTATION
Each student is expected to present their findings at one of the following:
1. UNL Undergraduate Research Conference
2. Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting
3. Professional meeting in their field
The student is required to notify the ARD Office ards@unl.edu prior to their presentation with the time and location so that ARD faculty can be encouraged to attend. Students are also encouraged to make presentations to the appropriate student club or organization and at departmental seminars.
SELECTION CRITERIA
SELECTION PROCESS
Proposals will be evaluated by an ARD assigned committee based on relevance and quality of the proposed projects according to the following criteria:
1. Research addresses issues in agricultural sciences, biology/life sciences, human sciences, or natural resources that are important within ARD
2. Originality of research and potential to contribute to the discipline
3. Potential for successful collaboration with faculty
4. The potential for the proposed research experience to contribute to the student’s career goals
5. Appropriateness of proposed budget including matching funds
6. Distribution of projects throughout disciplines that are relevant to ARD
7. Proposal submitted with all required elements
More details at: https://ard.unl.edu/ianr-ard-undergraduate-student-research-program/