Undergraduate Research Awards Program (URAP)

Current Solicitation

FALL 2008

Research Opportunities Posted: August 8, 2008
Apply after: August 8, 2008
Application Deadline: October 3, 2008
Award Announcement: October 10, 2008

NEXT SOLICITATION:

WINTER 2009

Research Opportunities Posted: November 21, 2008
Apply after: November 21, 2008
Application Deadline: January 9, 2009
Award Announcement: January 23, 2009

Description
Eligibility
Award Information
Application Procedure and Deadline
Research Opportunities

Undergraduate Researcher and Apprentice Awardees

Description

The purpose of this program is to support undergraduate students who are engaged in faculty research projects. "Research" will be broadly defined to reflect all forms of scholarship valued in our College. This type of involvement will extend beyond the classroom and provide great hands-on learning experiences for the students. These funds will help build scholarly relationships with faculty and open up new academic possibilities and graduate school interests. Two types of awards are possible. The HHS Apprentice Award is for first-time student researchers who will aid and assist faculty in a planned research investigation. Funds will be available to selected applicants for each academic term (up to $400 per term). Expectations of the HHS Apprentice are to: a) aid in participant recruitment, data collection, analyses, and summation of faculty research; b) interact with faculty mentor and graduate students; c) attend and participate in lab/research related seminars and; d) provide a written summary report to the faculty mentor and shared with the HHS Dean's Office upon the conclusion of the project. The HHS Researcher Award will be for students who have successfully assisted in faculty research (as HHS Apprentice, URISC or equivalent) and are ready to embark on more independent participation in research. The HHS Researcher will: a) participate with faculty mentor in research design, and interact with mentor and graduate students in the planning and implementation process; b) attend and participate in lab/research seminar; c) collect, analyze and summarize data from the research project; d) be involved in the professional presentation and write-up of research findings; and e) provide written summary report to the faculty mentor and shared with the HHS Dean's Office upon conclusion of the project.

Eligibility

HHS Apprentice Award: Previous volunteer research experience with faculty is preferred but not required for Apprentice applications. HHS Researcher Award: Students must have successfully assisted in faculty research (as HHS Apprentice, URISC or equivalent) and are ready to embark on more independent participation in research. To be eligible for this program you must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student at Oregon State University. Although there is not a set GPA requirement for the Research Programs (Apprentice or Researcher), each participating faculty member may set his or her own specific requirements for a project. Please check each project description carefully. All students must be majors in one of the four academic departments in the College of Health & Human Sciences. Please note that students may only be appointed to one Apprentice or Researcher position per academic term.

Award Information

HHS Apprentice Award: Funds will be available to selected applicants for each academic term (up to $400/term). HHS Researcher Award: Funds for this category will be up to $800 per academic term throughout the year. Funds may also be used for summer-only projects, when the student has sufficient responsibilities to be funded over a longer period of time and fully involved in the research process. For summer only positions, the student need not be a full-time student, but may choose to take the research experience for credit (tuition not included). During the academic year, student may choose to take the research experience for 1 credit (HHS 301-401). Funds can be used to pay student's hourly wage and/or to supplement travel to relevant scientific conferences or to acquire needed skills for active participation in the research. Awards will range from $400 - $2,400 (approximately 15 awards made annually). Applicants will be notified via e-mail of award decisions by the announcement date listed at the top of this page.

Application Procedure and Deadline

Application instructions are included in the URAP application form which is available in PDF format. If you are unable to access this electronic form, contact the College of Health & Human Sciences Dean's Office (737-2176) to request a paper copy. Please allow one week for delivery. Print and submit two copies of the completed application packet (1 original and 1 copy) to the Dean's Office in the Women's Building Room 123 by 5:00 P.M. by the deadline indicated at the top of this page. Select no more than two projects. The maximum number of applications you can submit per quarter is two. In instances where faculty advertise multiple projects you only need to make one application but you should indicate which projects that most interest you. Incomplete proposal packets will not be considered for funding.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The list of undergraduate research opportunities may be found at Undergraduate Research Opportunities. See above for submission deadline dates.

Review Procedure

Applications will be delivered to faculty for review within three days after the deadline. Please check your e-mail on a regular basis. You will be contacted by email either by the faculty member or staff from the College of Health & Human Sciences Dean's Office. The email will contain information for you to set up an interview (if requested) with the faculty member. Please do not telephone faculty unless you are instructed to do so by an email. Please understand that faculty list Apprentice positions so that they can receive assistance in collecting applications and notifying students of their application status. For most faculty, the first two weeks of each term is a busy time for getting new classes started. Please work with the staff in the College Dean's Office or Academic Advising if you have questions. Schedule an interview with the prospective faculty mentor as soon as you are invited to do so.

Selection

If you are selected: Submit a completed Student/Mentor Commitment form to the College of Health & Human Sciences Dean's Office. The faculty member will have a copy of the form. If you would like to receive course credit for your experience, obtain a HHS 301/401 Course Contract Form from the College of Health & Human Sciences Advising Office. They will provide instructions for completing the form with your mentor. If you are not selected: You will receive an e-mail notification stating that you were not selected. Re-apply another quarter when a position that interests you is posted. Check the postings each quarter as old ones may reopen and new ones may be added. Keep in mind that a large number of students may apply for one position. It takes experience and practice learning how to present your skills and assets.

For More Information

You are always welcome to contact the College of Health & Human Sciences Advising Office (116 Milam) or call them at (541) 737-8900 to get specific questions answered.