Before You Apply:
Funding is provided for expendable supplies and services directly related to the student's proposed research. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Conference attendance to present talks, papers, or posters
- Photocopying
- Miscellaneous supplies
- Books (that are unavailable through the Rutgers Libraries or via Inter-Library Loan)
- Travel (gasoline, highway tolls, airfare, hotel stays, etc.)
- What items and activities are NOT funded?
- Meals
- Living expenses (including rent, clothing, laundry, Internet service, utilities, etc.)
- Tuition
- Equipment (e.g. computer, or for software for the laboratory) that will be used beyond the duration of the research project
- Stipends/per diems
The Application and Proposal:
- What do I need to include in the budget section?
Your budget should be as detailed and comprehensive as possible. Each item or service for which you are requesting funding should be listed separately, along with an explanation of need for that item and a price quote.
You should also include information about other funding you have received or for which you have applied, the possibility of matching funds from your department, etc.
Please see the sample budget form for an example of what is expected.
In order for the Aresty committee to gain a better understanding of your project and your financial needs, your budget should be as complete as possible. Together with your advisor, you should draft a list of all items and services needed to complete your research project, and submit it in the format described above.
You may request as much funding as your project requires; the Aresty Research Center will give full consideration to your budget in the context of the requests it has received and the funding available for that semester. In general, the ARC does not fully fund student research projects; we encourage students to seek funding from multiple sources.
The average amount requested is $1300.
The average amount awarded is $475.
In order to develop a competitive funding application, it is important to work closely with your advisor. Your advisor should help you construct a suitable budget for your project, taking into consideration the specific needs of your research as well as the funding that your sponsor department or lab may already be providing.
To make sure that your advisor has worked with you on the budget section of your proposal, it is necessary that he or she submit a letter (hard copy or email) to the ARC endorsing your project. This letter should specifically note how the items in your budget would benefit your participation in the research experience.
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Do I need to be registered for a research course in order to request funding?
You should be registered for a research course in order to receive funding. If you are planning to work on an independent research project, you must have a faculty advisor with whom you are closely working. This advisor should help you develop your budget and approve your proposal before it is submitted. However, you, the student, must be the author of both.
Your entire research proposal, including a comprehensive description of your project, a clearly-defined budget, and all information on your application (including your GPA) will be considered when determining whether or not you will be awarded research funding. Students must be in good academic standing in order to receive funding from the ARC.
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What if I am working on a group project with other students?
All members of the group should collaborate on the proposal and budget, being sure to mention that it is a group project and to list the full names of all students involved. One of you should fill out the application form itself, listing your name, address, and other information as the primary contact person. You should submit only one copy of the application, on behalf of the entire group.
- When will I hear if I was awarded funding?
You will be notified approximately one month after the deadline for proposal submission. This deadline will be the Friday of the first full week of classes each semester. We do not accept off-cycle applications.
Congratulations! You were awarded funding.... Now what?
- What if I need to spend the money on something that wasn't in my proposed budget?
As you work on your project, if you find that your expenses are different from those you listed in your proposed budget, you will need to come speak with the ARC Administrative Director. You must have the ARC’s approval in advance of making a purchase that deviates from those we approved in your original application.
- When do I need to turn in receipts?
Please turn in all of your receipts together, as soon as you have made all purchases related to your project. You may wish to keep a copy for your own records; however, we require the original receipts.
Receipts are due on the last day of classes ( December 13, 2006 ). If you have projected expenses that will not be incurred until after this deadline (e.g., you were funded to attend a conference in June and you have yet to pay for hotel and travel costs), you must submit a written request for an extension, including documentation listing the estimated expenses (e.g., a printout of the hotel rates) and their dates. You will need to turn in actual receipts once they become available.
If you were issued copy cards as part of your ARC Research Grant, you do not need to provide receipts for their use. They come in various denominations; you will be issued one when you pick up your check, and you should return to see us when the balance on your first card approaches zero.
- What types of receipts are accepted?
- Any itemized receipt from a store (including online stores) is valid. If working within a laboratory or department that will be making purchases on your behalf, a copy of the purchase order will suffice.
- If you are traveling by car for a purpose related to your research project, the university will reimburse you in the amount of $0.31 per mile traveled, which covers gasoline and general wear to the vehicle. You do not need a receipt for this; instead, you should use a service such as http://maps.google.com or http://www.mapquest.com to calculate the exact distance between your point of origin and destination. Please hand in a printout of the directions, on which you should show the calculations for the round trip mileage and total reimbursement amount.
- Unless you were issued copy cards as part of your Aresty Research Grant, if you use your funding for photocopying services you should turn in a piece of paper including the number of copies made and the cost per copy. You may also submit receipts for any copy cards you purchase.
- What if I don’t spend all of my funding?
If you have $10.00 or less remaining, you may keep it!
If you have more than $10.00 remaining, or are unable to tender receipts for the full amount, you are required to return the unused portion to the ARC. You may do so by returning your un-cashed funding check or by writing a personal check made out to “Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey” for the remaining balance; please write "ARC Research Grant - unused balance" in the check’s memo line . The balance must be turned in with any available receipts by the last day of classes ( December 10, 2007 ). Again, if you have not yet incurred the expenses for which you were funded, you must apply for an extension; see the policy on receipts (above).
- Do I have to hand in my final project to the ARC?
No, but all funding recipients are required to submit an abstract for consideration in our second annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, which will take place on April 20, 2007. Students from across the university will be selected to present their research at this interdisciplinary symposium, which will be open to the general public and advertised to local high schools, recruiters, alumni, faculty, and the media.
The deadline for abstract submissions is February 22, 2008. If accepted, you must present at the Symposium.
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