Aresty Research Center

Overview

The Small Grants Program is designed for juniors and seniors, or for students with previous research experience, who would either like to pursue an independent research project with a faculty endorsement or present their already-conducted research at a conference. We invite students to submit proposals for funding to help defray the cost of research including books, photocopying costs, supplies, travel, and presentations at conferences. Funding cannot be used for meals, living expenses, tuition, or equipment that will be used beyond the duration of the research project. 

Funds are allocated through a competitive application process at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. 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 $1000; the average amount awarded is $500. Funded students share their research with the university community at the Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.

For Summer 2012: While we do not have any research funds available for the summer, we do provide support for students who have been selected to present at conferences. If this is the case with you, please contact us and we will arrange for you to apply for funding to help defray the expenses of your conference presentation. All of the same rules and eligibility requirements found below will apply. These applications will need to submitted by Wednesday May 2, 2012.

Eligibility and Requirements

Many successful applicants are registered for a research course. Students may also apply for funding to work on an independent research project; it is important to work closely with a faculty advisor. Here are a few important guidelines regarding eligibility:

• Any Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduate student is eligible to receive funds;
• Each applicant will need to have a faculty advisor who is willing to supervise his/her project;
• Projects may range from an idea that the student is beginning to pursue on his/her own, to a joint student-faculty project in which either the student or the faculty member is the principal investigator.
• In all cases, the undergraduate must have significant involvement and independence in both formulating the question and conducting the investigation. Please note that the ARC does not fund faculty projects or graduate students.
• If the application is for funding to continue a project previously granted an Aresty Research Grant, no award will be made unless the applicant submits a progress report relating the previous work done to the currently proposed stage of the project and justification for new funding.
• If the project will be conducted by multiple undergraduates, only one application may be submitted.
• If applying for funds related to a conference presentation, you must provide proof of acceptance to that conference.

For a more detailed list of guidelines, please download this helpful document.

How to Apply

Begin by discussing your proposed project with a faculty advisor. This advisor should work closely with you to develop your budget request and should approve your proposal before submission to the ARC.

For detailed application directions, download this helpful document.

Then, finish your application by submitting the following documents in hard copy to the Aresty Research Center for Undergraduates by 4:30pm on the application deadline:

• Printed online cover sheet
• Project overview
• Personal statement
• Budget request (Click here to download a blank budget form. For guidance, click here to download a sample budget.)
• Advisor endorsement
• If applying for conference funding, provide proof of acceptance to the conference to present your work.
• Supplemental application, if proposing a trip abroad (Click here to download the supplemental application).

For Summer conference funding, applications are due May 2, 2012. Contact us with questions.

For Fall 2012, applications are due September 14, 2012.