IREU - Iowa Research Experience for Undergraduates - Spring 2008

The University of Iowa strives to provide a high quality educational experience for its students. Participation in research programs and scholarly activities represents an opportunity, uniquely available at research universities, to enhance the overall undergraduate experience. The intention of the IREU funding program is to encourage the direct involvement of undergraduate students in the scholarly efforts of faculty/research staff by providing funds that support student involvement in research.

Objectives

Faculty members and research staff in all disciplines are encouraged to involve undergraduates in their research. Proposals that involve students in intellectual scholarly work, experimental and laboratory-based research, and/or creative work in the arts are eligible. Applications that fully engage students from contemplation of the work through analysis and presentation of results are of most interest. Projects that lead to an honors thesis, publication, or other form of recognition for the student are encouraged. Proposals that involve students in only a limited aspect of a project, such as retrieving references or assaying samples, will not be supported. Regular opportunity for the student to interact with their mentor is crucial.

This is principally a stipend program. Applications up to $3,000 will be considered and must be spent within one year of the award date. Funds must be used to pay for future involvement of the student and are not meant as a prize, honor, or reward for work already completed. A specific undergraduate student need not be identified in the proposal. In such cases, an award can be made, but funds will not be released until a student is selected and identified.

All tenure-track or tenured faculty, clinical faculty, research scientists, research engineers, and other staff members for whom research and scholarship are assigned job responsibilities are eligible. While these individuals will receive funding priority, proposals from other faculty (e.g. emeritus) may be considered and funded when the review committee finds that the applicant and DEO/Chair make a compelling case for research support.

Only full-time, matriculated University of Iowa undergraduates working on their first bachelor’s degree may be supported. A student may not be simultaneously supported by both an IREU award and an ICRU Scholar Assistant award.

The full award ($3,000) may be used to support the student and a minimum of two-thirds of the amount must be applied as a student stipend (fringe benefits must be included in the stipend amount). Up to one-third of the award may be used to support research-related supplies and expenses; these costs must be directly related to the performance of the studies. Typically, such expenses are for consumables and not for new equipment or other resources already available. These funds must "make the difference" in terms of whether the student can be involved in the project.

The proposal may be no more than two pages (single-spaced, no less than 11 pt. Times font, with margins at least 0.75 inches). It should address the six points listed below and be written for professionals outside of the investigator's field of study. Provide a short (3-4 sentence) abstract of the project in the space allocated on the "Attachments" tab of the application. The proposal and mentor's CV must be attached as PDF documents. Most UI departments have access to Adobe Acrobat Professional. You may also use a free PDF converter.

1. Description of the research or scholarly activity that includes evidence of a well-established, ongoing project. This should be limited to one-half page so the proposal can focus on the student experience.

2. Description of the work that the student will perform.

3. Level of the student's involvement in the overall project; how will he/she be integrated into all aspects of the research project and the regular, day-to-day activity with other project personnel and the principal investigator.

4. Explain the benefits to the student; this may include graduation with honors, impact on other studies, and preparation for graduate or professional work.

5. Provide a timeline for the work, showing as appropriate the student's preparation, involvement, and follow-up activities.

6. State the proposed amount of the award, not to exceed $3,000 (fringe benefits must be included in the stipend amount) and describe how the amount will be used. The full $3,000 may be used as an undergraduate student stipend but up to $1,000 of the award may be used for required supplies and expenses--please justify budget request. Indicate an approximate number of hours that the student will be engaged in the project.

The peer review of proposals will consist of assessment of:

1. responses to points 2-6 described above - please note that the merits of the principal investigator's research does not influence the funding decision;

2. existence of a suitable context for undergraduate involvement in the research project or scholarly activity; and

3. prospects for a meaningful student experience.

Upon completion of its review, the committee will convey its findings to the Vice President for Research, who will make final decisions.

Students supported through one of these awards should submit a report to the Office of the Vice President for Research at the conclusion of their research assignment but no later than one year from the date of the award letter. The sponsoring faculty member must also sign the report. These reports can be in simple letter format, and they must describe the work done by the student (one paragraph), provide an assessment of the value of the experience, including contributions to the sponsoring faculty member's work (one paragraph), and indicate any papers published, presentations given, or other forms of recognition of the work done. The students are also requested to present their work at the annual Spring Undergraduate Research Conference that is hosted by the Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates (ICRU). Information on the conference will be available on the ICRU website or by contacting ICRU (icru@uiowa.edu, 335-8336).

You are encouraged to send an email to ifi-questions@uiowa.edu or call 335-2119 if you have questions about this call for proposals.