Spring 2025 Minerva Center Undergraduate Research Awards Application

Part 1: Student Personal Information

During the review process, you may be asked to provide additional information. All correspondence and notifications will be generated from the information your provide below. Be sure to use proper spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
General Information

Use this application to apply for the Minerva Center Research Award for Spring 2025. This application contains all the information you need to apply for this award. Note: You may also apply to one of the six Endowed Awards (you will not receive more than one award). Undergraduate sudents from all majors and class years are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Awards up to $1,000 are available.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of University at Albany faculty and professionals. Awards are determined by the highest weighted point total for all required application materials.

Note that the Minerva Center Award is funding for upcoming work, which is expected to be completed over the duration of the semester funded. That is, if you apply in the Fall, funds should go towards a project to be worked on over the Spring (all 15 weeks of the semester).

Deadlines

Applications will close on November 10, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Faculty Certification must be received by November 13, 2024, at 11:59 PM.

You will be notified of the review committee's decision by the end of November 2024.

All materials, including faculty certification, must be received before the deadlines.

Expectations

Student recipients of funding from the Minerva Center will be required to present their funded work at UAlbany Showcase Day in April 2025. More information will be provided about Showcase in early 2025. Students who receive funding will also be required to attend two professional development seminars/workshops (options will be provided) and compelte a final survey about their experience and use of funds.

Eligibility
1. The applicant must be a full-time matriculated undergraduate student.
2. Students must already have an identified research mentor to apply; this can include currently working with the identified mentor or beginning work with the identified mentor in the funded semester (i.e., you do not need to currently be working on a project but must start in your funded semester). Research mentors can include faculty or staff with the knowledge background to support in the identified research area. Graduate students may also serve as mentors; however, the principal investigator (e.g., lead faculty/staff) must provide certification for the award.
3. The research may contribute to any academic discipline, concentration, or content area. Projects involving credit-bearing experiences (research internship, independent study, or course-based research) may be considered.
Application Requirements

Complete applications include:
- Full application completed by the deadline.
- Research summary
- Detailed summary of your role and responsibilities for the research project. Specific descriptions will help the review committee have a better understanding of your role.
- Stated acknowledgment that as a recipient you will be required to present your research project at UAlbany Showcase Day in April 2025, complete professional development requirements, and complete a final survey about your experience.
- Projected budget summary (the budget will include expenses for the funded semester, not already incurred expenses)
- Faculty Certification, completed by the certification deadline.
For detailed information on this award's requirements and expectations, review the full Call for Applications - Minerva Center Research Award.
Minerva Center Undergraduate Research Awards Application

Spring 2025
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
University at Albany Email Address*
ex: ddane@albany.edu
University at Albany Student ID Number*
ex: 001234567
Permanent Mailing Address - this is where your check will be mailed to if selected as a recipient*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Your Class Year*

Freshmen (Class of 2028)Sophomore (Class of 2027)Junior (Class of 2026)Senior (Class of 2025)
Academic Major*
2nd Academic Major
Academic Minor*
If no minor, write N/A
2nd Academic Minor
Are you enrolled in at least 12 credits for Spring 2025?*

YesNo
If you are not enrolled in at least 12 credits in Spring 2025, you are not eligible for undergraduate research funding.
Optional Demographic Information

Information regarding gender, ethnic origin, and race are optional. The information provided below will only be used for report generation and in no way affects an applicant's selection for undergraduate research funding.
Gender

FemaleMaleTransgender FemaleTransgender MaleGender Variant/Non-ConformingNot ListedPrefer not to answer
If you selected Not Listed, you may use the below space to share your gender
Pronouns

She/herHe/himThey/themZe/Zir/ZirsZe/Hir/HirsPrefer not to answerOther
Which of the following best describes you?

Asian or Pacific IslanderBlack or African AmericanHispanic or LatinoNative American or Alaskan NativeWhite or CaucasianMultiracial or BiracialA race/ethnicity not listed herePrefer not to answer
You may use the space below to provide your race/ethnicity if not listed above or if you wish to provide more after selecting Multiracial or Biracial
Part 2: Research Project Information

A copy of this application and associated materials will be sent to the faculty mentor/supervisor that is listed as part of the full application requirements. A representative from the Minerva Center for High Impact Learning will contact your Faculty Mentor/Supervisor for the Faculty Certification.
Do you have a research mentor? You can already be working with your mentor or beginning work with the mentor in Spring 2025.*

YesNo
You must have a research mentor lined up in order to apply.
Research Project Title/Name of Project*
When did you begin this project? If you haven't yet started, say N/A.*
Ex: Spring 2022
How have you engaged in this research project throughout your time working on it? Select all that apply

In-PersonHybrid (some in-person, some remote/virtual)Remote/VirtualOther
Faculty/Staff Mentor Name*

First NameLast Name
If you are working with a graduate student as a mentor, indicate their name and email below. In the faculty/staff mentor question, you should write the name of the PI (faculty/staff member overseeing the research space).
Faculty/Staff Mentor Email*
ex: ddane@albany.edu. DOUBLE CHECK SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION!!!
Graduate Student Mentor Name and Email (as applicable)
Faculty/Staff Mentor Department*
ex: Biological Sciences, Public Health, Atmospheric Science
In the space below provide a description of your project in 250-500 words.*

Provide a summary of the research project or creative endeavor. This should include background/why the project is being done (use citations as appropriate); methods; expected analyses; and what the project contributes to the field and society.0/500
In 250-500 words, describe YOUR role on the research project, how it supports your goals, and how funding will assist you in working on/completing the project.*

Must include specific tasks and responsibilities that you personally engaged with or managed. Provide as much detail as possible so that the committee understands your specific role on the project. Please avoid using "our" and avoid describing the project/research team (if applicable) goals - relate this description to the role you specifically play. You should also describe how the project will contribute to your academic/career goals.0/500
Is this project being funded by other awards? If so, please indicate the name of the award, the granting body, and the amount awarded. Is this project part of a credit-bearing opportunity? If so, please indicate the class subject and number, as well as the title (e.g., AANT 498 Independent Study in Anthropology).
If awarded undergraduate research funding via the Minerva Center Award, you will be required to share your research with the University at Albany at UAlbany Showcase Day in April 2025.

Please note that information on presenting your work will be emailed to you in early 2025.
Part 3: Budget Summary and Expense Listing
Please provide a budget summary in text form describing how you will use the funds and why they will benefit you individually.

You must also provide at least one expense in the Research Expense chart. Funds should be used to support the undergraduate research project or creative endeavor or provide you with support to complete the opportunity. Write a detailed description of the expenses to be covered in the budget area. Make sure to include the item and any associated breakdown in cost (e.g., Thermo Fisher GeneJET Plasmid Miniprep Kit, 270.65, x2 = 541.30; Gift cards for participant incentives, $10ea, 30 participants x 10 = $300). Writing "miscellaneous supplies" or "chemicals" is NOT sufficient. While prices may vary from what you indicate now vs. when they are bought, be as accurate as possible in the budget area. Funding can be used for materials/supplies, participant incentives, travel to/from a space needed to complete the research project or creative endeavor (UAlbany to/from site, not from your home), space rentals for a project, fees for access to platforms/software to complete the project/endeavor, tuition, etc.

Please note: awards cannot be used for current semester tuition/fees. If selected as a recipient the award may be applied to a future undergraduate semester student account. Funds cannot be applied to graduate school expenses at the University at Albany.

Applicants must be aware that awards will not be distributed until December 2024. The information you provide below will be used by the committee to make a final decision on your application and determine the amount of the award distributed to selected recipients.

All expenses are the responsibility of the student to incur. The Minerva Center for High Impact Learning will not make any purchases, reservations, etc. on your behalf. The award will be distributed as a check or may be applied to a future semester undergraduate tuition bill.

Expenses must be for direct support to the student ONLY. Funds need to be clearly defined for expenses for the student applicant. If selected as a recipient of funding, students are to use the funds for their expenses related to their role and funds should not be used to cover general laboratory purchases.

Expenses must go towards the project during the funded semester. That is, you should not plan to pay for something bought during the semester of application. You also should not "save" money; that is, awarded funds for Spring 2025 should be used for the project during the Spring 2025 semester.
Provide a brief summary of how you plan to utilize the funding if selected as a recipient (you may wish to refer to the Methods section of your project).*
In the below Research Expense table, please list any and all expenses related to this project that you have incurred or will incur. Be as accurate to the dollar amount as possible.

It is important that you list expenses that are related to your individual role on the project, and that you provide additional detail about the need for this funding for your own use in the above summary.

If selected, funds are distributed to the student applicant ONLY. Awards will not be distributed to faculty, PI, or others at the university.

Total Budget (total amount of all expenses listed above)*
By signing (typing) your legal name in the below space, you are certifying that all information is correct and that your are the person completing this application.

By submitting this application you are granting the Minerva Center for High Impact Learning permission to share information regarding your application and associated materials (including but not limited to, your name, hometown, university email address, research project abstract, etc.) with Academic Innovation and Student Success, as well as the University at Albany Office of Communications and Marketing. This information may be used if you are selected as one of the award recipients for the following purposes (including but not limited to): news stories, press releases, invitations to events, meetings, programs, website content (both the University and the Minerva Center), and social media posts (both the University and the Minerva Center).

When you press submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received by the Minerva Center for High Impact Learning. Please retain a copy as verification of your application.
Electronic Signature*

First NameLast Name
Date*

MonthDayYear
The University at Albany is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education. The College does not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected class.
Should be Empty:

	Brief Expense Description	Dollar Amount
Expense 1
Expense 2
Expense 3
Expense 4
Expense 5
Expense 6

Part 1: Student Personal Information

For detailed information on this award's requirements and expectations, review the full Call for Applications - Minerva Center Research Award.

Minerva Center Undergraduate Research Awards Application

Optional Demographic Information

Part 2: Research Project Information

Part 3: Budget Summary and Expense Listing