Senior Research Project Supplement

Description

SRPS is designed to support expenses associated with senior research projects in 500 or 700 level courses. For AY 2022-23, maximum reimbursement is $1,200; the average expense request in AY 19-20 was $964 with an average approved amount of $788. Expenses are reimbursed or charged directly (see details below). We do not fund expenses that are incurred prior to our funding approval.

Projects must adhere to current college health and safety guidelines. If your project involves international travel, please review the travel-specific information below. 

Funding Amount and Deadlines

Up to $1,200 (Oct. 1, Jan. 24, or Apr. 15 deadlines) and up to $350 throughout the academic year as funding permits. Applications eligible for the Hoskin Research Fund can be submitted for these deadlines. 

For Fall 2022: Because Oct 1 falls on a weekend, we will accept applications received by 9 am ET on Monday 10/3. We will not be available to provide technical assistance over the weekend, so we encourage students to begin the application well ahead of the deadline. Questions about the Middlebury Apply platform can be emailed to uro@middlebury.edu . 

Projects with expenses exceeding SRPS maximums need to provide information on additional funding sources (departments, programs, etc). Depending on the additional funding amount, SRPS funding may be limited.

Project Scope and Design

Students should work with their faculty advisors to develop projects that are feasible to complete in the time frame proposed and appropriate given the student’s academic and research experience. For projects involving technology not available through Middlebury, please contact Tom Woodward (twoodward@middlebury.edu) in DLINQ early in your planning and note that in your application.

Selection

Funding will be awarded on the basis of the quality of the application and the availability of funds. Preference will be given to students who do not have access to funds in their major departments. Please note: you may only be funded through SRPS once. If you have multiple senior work projects you must choose one. Students who will have senior status during their project dates may apply. If you have questions about your eligibility please contact us.

Faculty Endorsement

Students must have a statement of support from the faculty advisor for the project and be enrolled in the appropriate independent study and/or thesis course during the relevant semester(s) of work. The online application submission is also sent to your project advisor, who can then reply to uro@middlebury.edu with their endorsement. Faculty advisors will be asked to discuss project feasibility and student preparation.

How to Apply

To apply for SRPS funding, complete the online application in Middlebury Apply. You’ll need to login and create a password. This is a new application process so please reach out to uro@middlebury.edu if experience any issues and we appreciate your patience!

Details of Key Online Application Components

Project Description: Describe in 750 words or less the senior research project for which you seek support (theses, essays, or other independent projects in your major or minor department or program). Explain how your past academic work has prepared you to implement this project. It is expected you will have researched the specifics for your project and incorporated adequate time to address any issues (such as IRB) into your project timeline. We expect you to provide details regarding project activities, research methods and time frame as appropriate. All projects must conform to current college health and safety guidelines.

Hoskin Justification: If applicable, include an additional paragraph explaining how your target research country fits the country definition at the Hoskin Research Fund.

Human Subjects: If your research involves human subjects, such as interviewing or testing, it must be reviewed by the Institutional Review Board. IRB review and approval is required before we can provide funding for your project.

Travel: Carefully review the travel page for specific details about types of travel expenses before submitting your budget. Travel plans must adhere to college travel policy and safety guidelines. For international travel, review the information at Global Ops. If you are traveling to a country with a Level 2 designation, you may need to have your travel plans approved by Global Ops. If you are traveling to a country with a Level 3 or 4 designation, you will  need to have your travel plans approved by Global Ops and submit a Level 3 or 4 travel waiver to us before with can provide you with funding. This review process can take up to 2 months, so you will need to plan well in advance and contact Global Ops with questions. You may also need a visa for proposed travel, which can also take time to secure. It is your responsibility to understand and manage the travel approval requirements and process for your travel destination, plan accordingly, and ask questions.

Additional Support: Indicate any other funding, including internal or external grants and/or departmental funds, which you may receive in support of this work, especially if the total project cost is greater than $1,200, to demonstrate the project will be adequately funded.

Budget Details: (uploaded file) Provide a brief description, along with an itemized budget, of the expenses associated with this project (travel, supplies, etc.). Indicate total project cost (not just items you are applying for SRPS support). Please review the approved expenses list and tax information. Expenses occurring prior to the application submission will not be funded.

URO Budget Template

Allowed SRPS Expenses

Supplies: Needed to conduct research. Some equipment purchased shall remain the property of Middlebury College for future use by other students.

Travel to Conduct Interviews, Fieldwork, or Research: Save all travel related receipts and keep track of all mileage as we do not reimburse gas receipts.

Compensation of Research Subjects: Compensation as a gift certificate from a Middlebury facility (Grille, College Store) or a dining credit is preferred. However, arrangements can be made to pay small cash stipends (up to $10 each) with the appropriate documentation.

Photocopying Research Materials: (not thesis proposals or completed theses) A receipt must accompany reimbursement requests for photocopy expenses.

Requests to Purchase Computer Software, Technological Resources, Books or Media: Students should first confirm that Middlebury does not already own or have license to use the materials, technology or software needed.

To identify if Middlebury has an item available see these resources.

• For books and journals: MidCat
• For equipment: https://www.middlebury.edu/library/services/borrowing  
• For computer software: go.middlebury.edu/software

For items not available through the college:

• Requests for technological resources or computer software should be reviewed with Tom Woodward in DLINQ (twoodward@middlebury.edu).
• Requests for books and journals can be made at go/requests.

All non-consumable resources will remain property of Middlebury and need to be turned in to Undergraduate Research at the completion of your project.

Not Conference Travel: Because they are limited, these funds are intended to support the conducting of research, rather than the presentation of research results. Students looking for funding to attend an academic conference should apply to the Academic Conference Travel Fund.

Please contact us if you have reimbursement needs that are not listed above.

Accessing Funding

Funding notification will be emailed approximately 3 weeks after the application deadline. Otherwise, rolling applications are reviewed weekly.

Reimbursement: Reimbursements for expenses incurred require scanned or e-receipts and a completed URO Funding Receipts and Summary Form. You will only be reimbursed for activities that were approved in your SRPS application. Reimbursements take 2-3 weeks to receive payment.

Direct Charges: Materials can often be ordered directly through your department coordinator. Cash advances for human subjects are also available. All requests require at least 7 business days for processing.

Reimbursements for projects are due before the end of the academic year of the award or before you graduate. Reimbursements take 2-3 weeks so if you are leaving campus or closing your bank account due to graduation, please plan accordingly.

Concluding Your Project

At the conclusion of your project, please submit the URO Funding Receipts and Summary Form whether you need a reimbursement or not. We want to hear how your project went and any feedback you might have to share.