Western Fund for Scholarly Opportunities, Undergraduate Research, and Creative Expression

Project proposals are limited to five (5) pages and travel proposals are limited to two (2) pages.

All proposals must adhere to the guidelines described below. Proposals not meeting the detailed guidelines will not be considered. Complete proposals must be submitted by the published deadline. Students and mentors are encouraged to discuss the proposal with the Teaching and Learning Center director.

General Instructions

• Proposals must be written and submitted by the undergraduate student(s) initiating the project.  Mentors may not submit proposals on behalf of students.
• Students must be enrolled at Western during the grant-award period
• Individual students may receive no more than one project award and one travel grant per fiscal year.
• For collaborative or group projects only one submission is required, which must designate a “Primary Investigator” or primary contact person for the project, in addition to the names of all participants.
• Proposals must be written so that reviewers outside of the applicant’s discipline understand the project description and budget justification.
• Avoid the use of jargon whenever possible and explain clearly any technical terms and procedures critical to the proposal.

Project Grant Proposals must include the WRC online SOURCE Application form, Project Description, Itemized Budget, Citations, and Faculty or Staff Mentor Statement (signed and submitted with the application).

1. Project Description should not exceed five double-spaced pages (please number) and must include a(n):

• Statement of purpose, goals, or objectives. Provide an appropriate background to contextualize your purpose.
• Methodology, work plan, or design process.
• Brief personal statement describing how you became interested in the project and how the project fits into your career, academic, and/or life goals. Describe why you are doing this work and what impact or significance you expect the project will have on yourself and others.
• Description of the activities and expected results, products, or outcomes which may include, but are not limited to, a performance, exhibition, paper, or presentation.
• Statement of how the work will be communicated to the broader campus community, such as a presentation at the Celebration of Academic Inquiry, a public display on campus, or a contribution to a campus event that would enable you to demonstrate your learning.
• Timetable for completion of the project.

2. Itemized Budget and Budget Justification

Proposal must include an itemized budget and justification for funds requested. Project Grant Proposals may request:

• Money for consumable items and materials not already available at the University.
• Students can request $15/hour for a maximum of $2,500. All project hours must be justified based on project work. Budgets for work completed over the summer must include benefits.
• Description of all matching funds and whether they are secured or pending.
• Calculate mileage reimbursement per the Colorado mileage reimbursement rate, which can be found here: Mileage Reimbursement Rate

3. Bibliography or literature cited (as appropriate for the discipline).
4. Faculty Mentor Statement must be attached to the student’s proposal. This statement must be signed by the mentor and include a(n):

• Statement indicating how the student’s project is related to the ongoing work of this mentor or whether the student initiated the project.
• Statement indicating that the project is an undergraduate project.
• Analysis of the viability of project objectives and methodology.
• Verification of budget needs and costs.
• Description of the mentor support that will be provided.
• Description of the student’s background and preparation for the project.

SOURCE Fund Application

Travel Grants are available for conference registration, airfare, mileage, lodging, or other appropriate travel-related expenses. Travel grants are capped at $500/student for travel to a conference where the student will be presenting, and $300/student for professional development travel. Food is not covered.

Travel grant proposal submissions must include the WRC online SOURCE Application form, Travel Description, Itemized Budget with budget justification, and Faculty or Staff Mentor Statement (signed and submitted with the application).

1. Travel Description should not exceed two double-spaced pages (please number) and must include a(n):

• A brief personal statement (200-300 words) for each student requesting funding. Each statement should explain the purpose of your travel and how this experience fits into your career, academic, and/or life goals. The requirement for each student to write their statement applies, regardless of group size. The 2-page limit excludes these personal statements.
• Timetable for travel plans.

2. Itemized Budget and Budget Justification

Proposal must include an itemized budget and justification for of funds requested. Include a description of any and all matching funds and whether they are secured or pending.

• Calculate mileage reimbursement per the Colorado mileage reimbursement rate, which can be found here: Mileage Reimbursement Rate

3. Faculty Mentor Statement must be attached to the student’s proposal. This statement must include a(n):

• Statement of support.
• Statement indicating that the travel is supporting undergraduate experience
• Verification of budget needs and costs.
• Description of the mentor support that will be provided.

Please note: unused funds from your account after April 30 (for fall grants) or Sept. 30 (for spring grants) will be reallocated toward grants for the following year.

Please note that:

• The mentor may recommend termination of the grant and the cancellation of further funding if the student is not fulfilling the terms of the proposal.
• All expenditures must be in accordance with University policies and should be based upon principles of economy.
• Actual expenditures must be for items requested in the proposal. Deviations from this policy must have prior approval of the WRC Chair.
• Title to materials and equipment purchased with grant funds remains with the University. Western Colorado University policies relating to copyright, royalties, patents, or income apply to these grant programs. Questions regarding these matters should be addressed before submitting the proposal.
• Funded projects involving human subjects in research must be approved by the Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) before they are initiated. Funds will not be available until documentation of IRB approval is received.
• Funded projects involving animals used in research must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before they are initiated. Funds will not be available until documentation of IACUC approval is received.
• Publications or presentations resulting from projects supported by the Undergraduate Fund for Scholarly and Creative Activity should include the following statement: “Funding provided by the Western Fund for Scholarly Opportunities, Undergraduate Research, and Creative Expression” at Western Colorado University.
• Funded projects that produce a written report or other documentation fixed in time must deposit a copy of the report with the University for future access and reference. Creative projects, like works of art, can be documented visually for the university record.
• All funded projects must submit a final report to the WRC upon completion.
• Awards that cover educational expenses will be reported to Financial Aid and may impact your yearly financial aid package.

SOURCE Workshops – Hosted in the Writing Center, Taylor 112

• September 12, 12:30-1:30 pm – SOURCE Workshop
• October 24, 12:30-1:30 pm – SOURCE Workshop
• January 23, 12:30-1:30 pm – SOURCE Workshop
• February 20, 12:30-1:30 pm – SOURCE Workshop

SOURCE Proposal Deadlines

• September 20, 5 pm – Round I Proposal Deadline
• November 8, 5 pm – Round II Proposal Deadline
• January 31, 5 pm – Round III Proposal Deadline
• March 7, 5 pm – Round IV Proposal Deadline

Please note: unused funds from your account after April 30 (for fall grants) or Sept. 30 (for spring grants) will be reallocated toward grants for the following year.

Please note that:

• The mentor may recommend termination of grant and the cancelation of further funding if the student is not fulfilling the terms of the proposal.
• All expenditures must be in accordance with University policies and should be based upon principles of economy.
• Actual expenditures must be for items requested in the proposal. Deviations from this policy must have prior approval of the WRC Chair.
• Title to materials and equipment purchased with grant funds remains with the University. Western Colorado University policies relating to copyright, royalties, patents, or income apply to these grant programs. Questions regarding these matters should be addressed before submitting the proposal.
• Funded projects involving human subjects in research must be approved by the Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) before they are initiated. Funds will not be available until documentation of IRB approval is received.
• Funded projects involving animals used in research must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before they are initiated. Funds will not be available until documentation of IACUC approval is received.
• Publications or presentations resulting from projects supported by the Undergraduate Fund for Scholarly and Creative Activity should include the following statement: “Funding provided by the Western Fund for Scholarly Opportunities, Undergraduate Research, and Creative Expression” at Western Colorado University.
• Funded projects that produce a written report or other documentation fixed in time must deposit a copy of the report with the University for future access and reference. Creative projects, like works of art, can be documented visually for the university record.
• All funded projects must submit a final report to the WRC upon completion.
• Awards that cover educational expenses will be reported to Financial Aid and may impact your yearly financial aid package.