College of Arts and Sciences

Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Grant Competition (CASUGR)

WIU's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) makes funds available each semester to support undergraduate students' research/scholarly activities, as well as to help defray travel costs for students presenting research at off-campus conferences. If the product of that research is accepted for presentation, a second grant application for travel funds may also be submitted. Each student must have a faculty mentor helping that student with the application process as well as providing guidance during the research process itself.

The grant program is administered by Associate Dean Kyle Mayborn and the College's Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity Grants Committee. CAS offers grants for undergraduate students engaged in research under the direction of CAS faculty. The purpose of these grants is to support and promote the research efforts of our undergraduate students.

The CAS Undergraduate Research Grants are intended to fund undergraduate research that may be difficult or impossible to conduct without financial support. Students use the grant funds to travel to archives, travel to professional conferences, etc. -- whatever is necessary to conduct their study. Students can apply for up to $300 to fund their research.

The Norman and Carmelita Teeter Undergraduate Research Award

In addition, students may apply for the Norman and Carmelita Teeter Undergraduate Research Award, regardless of whether they seek grant funds through the CAS Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity Grant Competition. These awards are intended to recognize the most outstanding student projects for the academic year. One set of awards will be made each spring semester. However, students may apply for the awards in either fall or spring semester, and all will be entered into one pool. Each project that receives recognition will receive a monetary award, amount yet to be determined.

Both competitions have the same eligibility requirements, obligations, and all students must complete an application form. Please read detailed instructions here.

Completed Applications:

A completed application must be submitted by a full-time faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences along with the student researcher. A completed application will include all the following and received in the College Office, Morgan Hall 114, no later than 4:00 pm on  Wednesday, February 13, 2019,  for Spring semester applications.

  • A completed typed or word-processed application form
  • a letter of support from a full-time faculty member
  • evidence of IRB/IACUC approval, if appropriate
  • evidence of paper acceptance for conference travel funding

The deadline for receipt of completed applications in the Dean's Office, Morgan Hall 114, is 4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2019,  for Spring semester applications.

 

What Undergraduate Researchers are Saying:

"My decision to do undergraduate research in the physics department was easily the best decision I made in college. While working with Dr. Boley on carbon nanotubes, I learned a lot about a wide range of topics. I gained crucial skills in hardware repair and problem solving techniques. Additionally, I was able to greatly improve my public speaking ability by presenting my research."

Brandon Selph, working with Dr. Mark Boley, Physics