College of Science & Health (CSH)

Supplies grants are intended to aid in the purchasing of consumable or capital supplies needed to conduct the specific research proposed by the applying undergraduate student. Funds may not be used for office supplies or copying fees (these should be supplied by the host department).

Students who are awarded a Supplies grant will be required to:

Present the results of their research at the UWL Research and Creativity Symposium of the awarding year (Fall and Spring funding) or following year (Summer funding). Graduating seniors unable to return to present their research may arrange for their work to be presented by their faculty mentor, or a student continuing the project. Information on abstract due dates and presentation requirements may be found on the  UWL Undergraduate Research and Creativity (URC)  website.

Supplies grant proposals must include the following sections, in the order indicated:

1. Application cover sheet (must use this form) 
2. Abstract
3. Narrative
4. Itemized budget (must use this form)
5. Bibliography
6. Faculty endorsement

Instructions for specific sections of the proposal are listed below.

1. Application Cover Sheet
2. Abstract:  (< 300 words) This should describe in layman's terms the significance of the proposed work, the objectives of the specific project, and a brief overview of the methods to be used. Bear in mind that the review committee is made up of members from diverse fields of study. Avoid the use of jargon.
3. Narrative:  (< 3 pages, double-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point type) This should be written to a general science audience, avoid excessive use of jargon, and should include clear and concise statements of the following:
   • the background and significance of the proposed work, including review and citation of pertinent scientific literature
   • the project objectives;
   • the project methodology;
   • the exact nature, extent, and timescale of student involvement (including the student's current year in school, expected graduation date, and expected duration of involvement in the project);
   • plans for disseminating the results;
   • a list of other resources needed e.g., space, equipment, labor, and/or additional supplies, and
   • a list of past, current, or pending funding [e.g., UWL, Sigma Xi, etc.], including the amount and the period of funding.
4. Budget: Not to exceed $500 (allowances will be made for specific pieces of equipment or supplies that just exceed the $500 limit). Relevant catalogs should be reviewed for current costs - do not estimate. The estimated cost of performing the research project should be itemized and be based on current prices from catalogs or phone quotes (indicate the source). Items should be limited to those that directly impact the proposed research project and not include other general supplies that may be needed to run the Advisor's research efforts. Commonly found bulk lab supply requests (e.g., common chemicals, plastic ware, etc.) should be clearly justified by the faculty mentor.
5. Faculty Endorsement:  (< 2 pages, single-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point type) Advisors should write a letter to the committee that includes the following information. Failure to address all of the points indicated could result in a reduction in the score of the student's proposal, and possible reduction of funding.
   • a statement of the mentor's willingness to work with the student;
   • a justification of this willingness based on: (a) the student's prior work and abilities, (b) benefits of the research to the student's educational experience, (c) how well the proposed work will contribute to the mentor's on-going research;
   • an explanation of why funds are needed from this source if the faculty member is funded from other sources or a statement of lack of funding from other sources, and
   • a verification of the mentor's willingness to help the student to prepare results for submission of oral presentations, posters, and/or manuscripts.

Faculty endorsement letters may be included as part of the student application or faculty may submit their letter using the Canvas submission process. Emailed endorsement letters will no longer be accepted.

Student Travel Grants are designed to allow undergraduate student researchers the opportunity to present the results of their work at professional meetings external to the UWL campus. Awards may be requested for travel, registration, and lodging and may be used in combination with other student or faculty research grants. Grant funds may not be used to pay for food. Students are responsible for review of and adherence to all UW-travel policies and reimbursement requirements in order to receive funding. Proposals must be submitted and approved by the Travel and Supply Grants Committee prior to the date of the professional meeting to be attended.

Students who are awarded a Travel grant will be required to:

Present the results of their research at the UWL Research and Creativity Symposium of the awarding year (Fall and Spring funding) or following year (Summer funding). Information on abstract due dates and presentation requirements may be found on the UWL Undergraduate Research and Creativity (URC) website. Graduating seniors who apply for Summer funding should plan to present their results (complete or incomplete) at the Research Symposium of their senior year.

Travel award grant proposals must include the following sections, in the order indicated:

1. Application cover sheet (must use this form)
2. Abstract
3. A short narrative 
4. A list of other presentations of work from this project (either local or off-campus)
5. Meeting information 
6. Detailed budget (must use this form)
7. Faculty endorsement 

Instructions for specific sections of the proposal are listed below.

1. Cover Sheet
2. Abstract:  The abstract should be a copy of the official abstract submitted to the conference or symposium. If the abstract has not yet been submitted, a proposed abstract is acceptable.
3. Narrative:  This section should include background, study objectives, results and a discussion of the significance of the work, along with a selected bibliography relevant to this presentation. Committee members represent a variety of different departments in the College, and are unlikely to be familiar with your particular field. While the research in a Travel grant proposal will not be evaluated, your ability to communicate the research will be evaluated. Therefore, the narrative must be written to a general science audience, avoiding excessive use of jargon, and defining terms particular to the field. Meeting information should include:
   • name of meeting,
   • description of the type of meeting (e.g., state, regional, or national event; undergraduate or professional, etc.),
   • presentation format (poster or oral presentation, for example),
   • location of meeting,
   • dates of meeting,
   • mode of transportation,
   • names of other UWL faculty and students attending. If others are attending, efforts should be made to reduce the costs of travel by sharing rooms, car rides, etcetera.
4. Budget: The itemized budget should include a detailed list of travel costs (for travel by car, see mileage reimbursement), registration fees, and lodging (indicate the the total cost per night and the number of persons per room). Students are encouraged to share a room to reduce the cost of attendance. If the total meeting costs are greater than $1000, applicants should indicate how the balance will be funded.
5. Faculty Endorsement: (< 2 pages, single-spaced, one inch margins, 12 point type) Research mentors should write a letter to the committee that includes the following information. Failure to address all of the points indicated could result in a reduction in the score of the student's proposal, and possible reduction of funding.
   • verify the student's role as author and presenter,
   • justify the travel request based on the quality and readiness for presentation of the research findings,
   • describe the type of meeting and it's value to the student presenter, and
   • indicate whether the faculty advisor will be attending the meeting, and/or if there will be any other faculty attending,
   • indicate any other sources of funding, especially if the cost of the meeting exceeds the $1000 award limit.

Faculty endorsement letters may be included as part of the student application or faculty may submit their letter using the Canvas submission process. Emailed endorsement letters will no longer be accepted.