Undergraduate Research Committee

Fall applications are due November 10 each year and spring applications are due March 20 each year.

The LSSU Undergraduate Research Committee announces a call for undergraduate student research proposals. The application window for fall is from August 30 – November 10. The application window for spring is January 30 – March 20. Awards of up to $500 to support senior capstone project/research-based equipment, supplies, and travel will be granted on a competitive basis. Please note that plane tickets, car rental, lodging, and food expenses cannot be supported by the grant. Conference fees and mileage for project conduction may be considered for reimbursement. Students should consult with their faculty mentor and read the application guidelines. Submitting an application is the final step. Contact one of the URC members if you have questions.

Undergraduate research is an integral part of the student experience at Lake Superior State University. In fact, the University mission and vision statement emphasizes LSSU’s role in helping students develop their full potential, as well as contributing to the growth, dissemination and application of knowledge.

The Undergraduate Research Committee (URC) is charged with promoting and recognizing the student research efforts that occur across campus, as well as encouraging new efforts. The committee consists of faculty members from various academic disciplines.

One of the main roles of the URC is to oversee the Undergraduate Research Fund, a program sponsored by the LSSU Foundation that awards grants of up to $500 to students to support project or research-based equipment, supplies, and travel.

The student grants are awarded once each semester on a competitive basis. To apply for a research grant, students are required to watch the information session power point, fill out the online application form (link below) and request a faculty letter of support.

Guidelines for Application

  • Have your faculty mentor approve your project description.

  • Watch the information session power point.

  • Complete the online application (link above). Please see the power point for guidelines on proposal description, references (citations should be included where appropriate), timeline, budget requests/justification and limitations on budget funding. Be sure to include how the rest of the budget will be paid if your budget is greater than $500.

  • Request a letter of support from your faculty project advisor/mentor.

  • If your project involves the use of humans or vertebrate animals, please submit your proposal to the appropriate LSSU committee: Vertebrates: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Humans: Institutional Review Board (IRB)

  • Students may apply for multiple URC grants, but preference will be given to first-time applicants.

Expectations for Successful Award Recipients

  • Upon award notification, recipients are encouraged to write a letter thanking the donor.
  • Funds will be reimbursed only with appropriate receipts or documentation. Students should submit all receipts to their department for reimbursement. For internal transfers, it is recommended that when a student is awarded the money, the amount would be transferred to the department at the time of the award so that they could reimburse the student directly when the purchases are made and the receipts are turned in.
  • A final report, including project pictures, is due no later than four semesters after award receipt or before graduation, whichever comes first. Yearly progress reports are also expected.

The Foundation

The funding for the URC student grant fund is made available by donations to the LSSU Foundation Office. If you are interested in making a donation or have questions about donations, please contact Sharon Dorrity, the Director of Constituent Relations.