Grant Instructions

To encourage undergraduate students from all disciplines to participate in independent research and creative projects in collaboration with Flagler College faculty.

• Student must have completed at least one semester at Flagler College with a college GPA of at least a 2.5 and be enrolled at Flagler College during the time that the research and/or presentation is scheduled.
• Student must be full-time with a declared major.
• Student must work with a Flagler College faculty mentor.
• Student must meet with the Director of Undergraduate Research before submitting an application.

The maximum amount available for a single grant is $500. Typically, grants can be used for activities in direct support of the research project (e.g., field sites, museums, historic sites), most materials and equipment, and travel to and registration for conferences. Students may develop individual projects or may work together on group projects. In either situation, each student must apply for funding separately, and expenses shared (such as carpooling and sharing a hotel room) whenever feasible.

When applicable, all purchases (e.g., leftover materials and equipment) must remain at Flagler College after the project is completed as property of the mentor’s department. Any unused funds must be returned to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Grants may not be used for stipends (e.g., salary for applicants or any assistants). They may be used for incentives for human subjects research only if prior Flagler College Institutional Review Board approval has been received and documented: (insert link).

Students are encouraged to submit as many proposals as they wish; however, they may only be approved for one completed proposal, especially if the budget is limited and there are other students who have not previously received undergraduate research award funding from Flagler College.

Students proposing an international project without travel accompaniment by their faculty mentor will have their application considered provisionally by the Student Success Committee. If recommended by the Committee, that application will be further considered by the Vice President of Academic Affairs for compliance with all Flagler College safety and liability policies. Ultimately, the Vice President of Academic Affairs will approve or disapprove such a request.

Proposals will be judged on the basis of the following, as relevant to the project:

• Clear focus or central research question: The grant explicitly states what the project will accomplish. There is a clear central idea, hypothesis, or objective.
• Sound methodology: Methodology clearly conveys how the project will be executed and how data/information will be obtained.
• Contribution to the field or discussion of potential impact: There is an explanation of (1) the significance or use of the project, (2) the worth of the project beyond what is required for a class, and (3) what new knowledge, understanding, or insight will be gained.
• Timeline/Plan of Work: The student outlines the time necessary to complete the project successfully, and the project can be reasonably completed in that time.
• The requested budget is justified and necessary for the completion of the project. Successful applications will demonstrate that a student has made every effort to maintain a modest budget, such as carpooling, sharing a moderately-priced hotel room, etc. The budget should include $25/day for food. If driving, mileage should be accurately calculated at the rate of 45 cents/mile.