Undergraduate Research Program

The Kentucky Academy of Science makes available funds for research planned and conducted by undergraduate students of Kentucky colleges and universities under the supervision of a faculty member. Faculty sponsors/researchers must be members of the Kentucky Academy of Science. Currently, two undergraduate research grant programs are available: Undergraduate Research Supply Grants, and Summer Undergraduate Research Grants.

Undergraduate Research Supply Grants:
These grants are intended to provide modest support for supplies and expendables necessary for student research not normally available from the host institution. This fund does not provide support for indirect costs, salaries, or conference travel. Awards of up to $500 each will be available as funding allows. Applications for these awards must be submitted to the Chair of the Committee for the Distribution of Research Funds, and must be post-marked not later than November 15th. Funding recommendations will be announced shortly after the January Board meeting with an immediate start date. Students are expected to present their research at the annual meeting of KAS, and submit a final report by January 31st the following year.

Summer Undergraduate Research Grants:
These grants are intended to provide support for students engaged in faculty-supervised research during the summer months. Allowable budget items include supplies, equipment, travel directly related to the research project, and a summer stipend for the student. Indirect costs are not allowed. Awards of up to $3000 each will be available as funding allows. Applications must be submitted to the Chair of the Research Committee and postmarked not later than November 15th. Funding recommendations will be announced after the January Board meeting with a flexible start date. Students are expected to present their research at the annual meeting of KAS, and submit a final report by January 31st the following year.
All awards are made to the institution of the faculty supervisor/researcher. Institutional cost-sharing and support are encouraged.

Applications should be limited to 10 double-spaced typed pages (excluding vitae and endorsement letters). Applications must include an original and seven copies of the following:

1. Cover sheet (Page 1) –Should include the project title and the names, affiliation, and postal and e-mail addresses of student and faculty sponsor
2. Project summary (Page 2)
3. Project description. This should include:
   • Major Objectives
   • Literature review and rationale
   • Research methods including experimental design, procedure and analysis
   • Role of student in project
   • Significance
   • References
4. Facilities and equipment required and availability
5. Detailed budget (Subdivide the budget into stipends, travel, equipment, supplies and expendables, and other costs. Each category should be itemized and justified.)
6. Brief curriculum vitae of student and faculty sponsor (two-page maximum each).
7. Endorsements and/or letters of institutional support are required
8. Projects involving human or animal subjects must submit appropriate institutional review board approval prior to funding.
9. A conflict of interest form should be completed by each applicant (students and faculty members) and included with the project

Evaluation of the above criteria will be enhanced by a succinct, well-written proposal. Submit completed applications to the Chair of the Committee on Distribution of Research Funds:

George F. Antonious, Ph.D.
Kentucky State University
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Water Quality/ Environmental Toxicology
218 Atwood Research Center
Frankfort, KY 40601

Office: 502/ 597-6005
Lab: 502/ 597-6253
Fax: 502/ 597-6381
E-mail: george.antonious@kysu.edu