Student Research Grants at Millersville University
STUDENT RESEARCH AT MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
The Millersville University Office of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Research exist to help both students and faculty pursue grant and fellowship funding. Millersville students can find information on internal funding supporting student creative and scholarly projects. Funding ranges between $500 and $5,000 and varies by program and project type.
Every year MU makes over $130,000 available to support student and student-faculty research or creative work. These funds create opportunities for students to develop the skills necessary for professional success after graduation. Many of the funds are open to all students, while others are restricted to specific majors.
Information on specific funding programs including applications forms, funding guidelines, eligibility requirements, and program-specific contact information can be found below. Though some of the awards are listed as "scholarships" they all support programs where research or creative activity is emphasized.
Upcoming Grant Deadlines
STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES |
DESCRIPTION |
dUE DATE |
APPLICATION |
| Biology Student Investigator | Supports student research. Any student engaged in independent research is eligible to apply. Preference to BIOL 498 or 499. | November 22, 2021 | BSI Application |
| College of Science and Technology Undergraduate Travel Fellowship | All Millersville University undergraduates who are majoring in degree programs within the College of Science and Technology may apply. Supports approved expenses associated with travel to external academic competitions or to external conferences where the results of their faculty-mentored research will be presented. | March 4, 2022 | SCTE Travel Fellowship Application |
| Joseph and Marianne Nolt Family Scholarship Fund |
Awarded as tuition for thesis credit courses (up to 6 credits) and as a grant to support applied research associated with that same thesis. Thesis credit courses for the tuition portion may include thesis-related independent study courses. Research grant projects are to be of an applied and scholarly nature, with an intended outcome of original, practical contribution to the field of education. |
April 4, 2022 |
Nolt Application |
| Karen A. Murley SURF Program in Chemistry |
This program is open to the exceptional chemistry majors of the chemistry department and is limited to two students. |
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| Keever Biology Research Training Fund |
Supports research by undergraduate biology majors. |
March 2, 2022 |
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| MUSE-Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience |
10-week long intensive student-faculty research or creative experience. Students from all colleges and majors are encouraged to apply, and students from all disciplines and majors are supported |
March 4, 2022 |
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| Noonan Endowment Fund |
Supports active student participation in conferences and performance competitions, field trips, and programs bringing speakers/consultants/activities to the campus for the benefit of large numbers of students. Generally, grants are limited to transportation, registration, and admissions fees. |
October 8, 2021 February 18, 2022 |
Noonan Application |
| Neimeyer Hodgson Research Grant |
Provide grants for student scholarly and creative projects, including those in the humanities, arts, and sciences. |
October 17, 2021 February 20, 2022 |
Neimeyer Hodgson Application |
| Parks Endowment | Supports developing a botanical research project in collaboration with a faculty member that will lead to the presentation of research results in the Dr. James C. Parks Memorial Lecture in the recipient's senior year. |
April 4, 2022 |
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| Positive Energy Fund | Faculty, staff and/or students can apply to receive up to $2,500 for projects that advance the Global Goals. | March 18, 2022 | |
| Rachel Carson/Liddell Field Course Biology Scholarship | Supports field course studies for any School of Sciences and Mathematics major. | February 11, 2022 | Carson Application |
| Student Grants for Research and Creativity Activity | Funds requested must be related to faculty-supervised research or creative project or to their undergraduate or graduate thesis. |
October 1, 2021 February 11, 2022 |
SGRCA Application |
| Susan P. Luek Endowment | Supports student-faculty research needs within the department of Psychology | Rolling Deadline | Luek Application |
| Wickersham-Burrowes Fund for Excellence in the Arts | Supports projects enriching the educational experience of Millersville students pursuing projects in the arts. | Rolling Deadline | Wickersham Burrowes Application |
| OGSPR Discretionary Fund | Funding is available through the OGSPR Discretionary Fund. Faculty Mentors must submit the application on a student's behalf. Contact your Faculty Mentor/Advisor for assistance. | Rolling Deadline | Faculty Internal Funding |
| MADE IN MILLERSVILLE (April 14, 2022) |
Annual event that embraces traditional field and laboratory work as well as projects in the visual and performing arts such as creative writing, music, drama, debate, public speaking, and other activities. |
Opens November 1, 2021 Application to Present: Due Feb 18, 2022 Application to Review: Due Apr 1, 2022 |
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BIOLOGY STUDENT INVESTIGATOR GRANT
Statement of Purpose and Guidelines
Biology Student Investigator (BSI) grants are available to support student research. Any student engaged in independent research is eligible to apply although first preference will be given to students enrolled in a BIOL 498 or 499 (Independent Study or Honors Thesis). This applies to enrollment in the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 semesters. If you plan to enroll in Biol 498 or 499 in Spring 2022, the letter from your faculty supervisor should clearly indicate your intent to register for this course.
In order to apply, you must submit a research plan with a budget. The budget may not include a stipend, but may include costs to attend, to prepare materials for presentation, or to travel to conferences helpful to your research efforts. Sample budget available here. If you are requesting funds to attend a conference please attach a submitted abstract or copy of the registration form or meeting announcement. If this documentation is not yet available the letter from your faculty supervisor should describe meeting attendance plans.
Applications open Fall 2021.
Selection will be based on the merits of the proposals. There is no minimum award, and the current maximum award will not exceed $1,800.
We encourage you to apply!
BIOLOGY STUDENT INVESTIGATOR GUIDELINES
BIOLOGY STUDENT INVESTIGATOR APPLICATION
FINAL REPORT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION
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College of Science and Technology Undergraduate Travel Fellowship
Undergraduate Students with majors in the College of Science and Technology are eligible to Apply
The October deadline is nominally for travel occurring from about September through February. The February deadline is nominally for travel occurring from about February through August. The deadlines are for complete applications. A complete application includes your faculty mentor's verification of your application. You should make sure your faculty mentor knows you are submitting an application and that your application is submitted far enough in advance of the deadline that your faculty mentor will have time to submit their materials. Award notifications typically occur 5 weeks after the application deadline.
All Millersville University undergraduates who are majoring in degree programs within the College of Science and Technology may apply for Undergraduate Travel Fellowships to defray certain approved expenses associated with travel to external academic competitions or to external conferences where the results of their faculty-mentored research will be presented.
- Only complete applications will be considered.
- The maximum amount available is $300 for single presenters/competitors and $500 for groups of two or more presenters/competitors (e.g., co-authors on the same abstract).
- Students are only eligible to receive funding from this program once per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
- Use of any approved travel funds is contingent upon presentation at the proposed external conference.
- All awardees are also required to present at Made in Millersville
- Travel Request Forms must be completed and approved prior to travel (https://www.millersville.edu/purchasing/travel/). Please see your faculty research mentor or department chair for assistance in completing this form. A copy of this form is to be included in your application.
- All reimbursable travel receipts must be included in your Travel Expense Voucher (https://www.millersville.edu/purchasing/travel/). Expense vouchers must be submitted per University guidelines.
- All fellowships are pending and contingent upon available university funding.
- Upon submission, the applicant and the research mentor will receive an e-mail verifying submission. In the e-mail to the faculty mentor, they will be asked to endorse the application.
Aside from the quality of the application, other evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited to: funding received by/requested from other sources, past funding received by the applicant, type of conference/academic competition, etc.
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JOSEPH AND MARIANNE NOLT FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
Awarded as tuition for thesis credit courses (up to 6 credits) and as a grant to support applied research associated with that same thesis. Thesis credit courses for the tuition portion may include thesis-related independent study courses. Research grant projects are to be of an applied and scholarly nature, with an intended outcome of original, practical contribution to the field of education.
The initial recipient will be a rising junior with a minimum CGPA of 3.0 pursuing an education degree in early childhood or middle-level education although that may be expanded to additional candidates after the first year. Financial need may be considered but is not a required criterion. The first preference is for a qualifying male student. Unused grant funds at the completion of the research project will be returned to the endowment principal. Potential candidates must complete an application following stated guidelines, both are below. ($2,500 for research portion)
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Karen A. Murley SURF Program in Chemistry
Chemistry Department
Murley SURF Information here
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KEEVER BIOLOGY RESEARCH TRAINING FUND
Statement of Purpose and Guidelines
The Keever Biology Research Training Fund was established through a donation from Dr. Catherine Keever, deceased emeritus faculty member of the Department of Biology. This award is to be used to train students in the methods and values of scientific research. This award supports research by undergraduate biology majors.
Awards will be made to an undergraduate majoring in Biology who has completed at least 60 credits of college work. First consideration will be given to applicants who have completed Zoology and/or Botany and who have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.0. See guidelines below for more detailed information.
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MENTORED UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER EXPERIENCE
MUSE
Student engagement, particularly engagement with university faculty in research or creative projects, has long been recognized as a “High Impact Practice,” directly benefitting student learning and leading to greater academic success and professional preparation.
Given the benefits towards success and preparation, Millersville University established the Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience (MUSE) Fellowship to foster collaborative creative, academic activities between an undergraduate student and a faculty mentor.
The MUSE award is $5,000 in support of a 10-week long intensive student-faculty research or creative experience. Students from all colleges and majors are encouraged to apply, and students from all disciplines and majors are supported. Recipients of MUSE awards are required to register for a minimum of two independent study credits during the summer.
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Noonan Endowment Fund
The application period for Noonan Grants begins in the Fall semester. Properly signed applications must be submitted electronically and received by the deadline awards will be announced approximately three weeks later.
NOTE: Beginning with awards made in Fall 2016, all Noonan recipients will be expected to be present at MADE IN MILLERSVILLE Celebration of Student Scholarship and Creativity. Made in Millersville is held on the second Tuesday in April annually. Please contact Rene Munoz by email or by phone at ext. 4457 for additional information.
The Noonan Endowment Fund was established to supplement classroom instruction and to encourage and facilitate academically related programs and activities for the enrichment of students at Millersville University. Preference for funding is given to programs involving active student participation at state or national meetings, activities that benefit large numbers of students, and activities that are cross-disciplinary in nature.
Typically, the committee has approved funding for active student participation in conferences and performance competitions, field trips, and programs bringing speakers/consultants/activities to the campus for the benefit of large numbers of students. Generally, grants are limited to transportation, registration, and admissions fees. The committee does not fund meals and lodging; these costs must be borne by the student or another sponsoring group. Noonan requests may not exceed $500.00. In addition, activities required for classroom instruction, course, and/or degree requirements are not funded by the Noonan Grant.
The official application form can be found here. Take care that all sections are completed in DETAIL. The committee needs to understand exactly what your group plans to do and how the proposed activity will enhance the educational/cultural experience of participants. Under the "Budget" section, list your projected budget for the activity, DETAILING the breakdown of the expenses, as well as the amount requested from the Noonan Fund, and state how the remaining expenses will be met. If specific details and proper signatures are not provided, your application will be rejected.
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Neimeyer Hodgson Research Grant
ELIGIBILITY
Any full-time student attending Millersville University in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree is eligible to apply for a grant.
GRANT APPLICATION
Applicants must:
- submit a completed application
- include a brief explanation of the research project
- submit a detailed research proposal (Upload PDF)
- include a letter of recommendation from one (1) faculty sponsor
- sample of properly completed budget here
- obtain approval from a faculty sponsor
For more information and guidelines, see the alumni page here.
AWARDING OF GRANTS
Because of limited funds, no grant shall exceed $700 (per project) and partial funding may be awarded. A student shall receive only one Neimeyer-Hodgson Grant, and previous grant recipients may not reapply. If two or more students are working on a project, each student must submit a separate single application with an itemized budget not to exceed $700 (note: each project may not exceed awarding of this amount).
EXPENDITURE GUIDELINES
Please view Expenditure Guidelines for instructions on how you will submit for reimbursement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Questions may be directed to Dr. Rene Munoz, Office of Sponsored Programs at 717-871-4457 or by email.
NEIMEYER-HODGSON EXPENDITURE GUIDELINES
NEIMEYER-HODGSON FINAL REPORT AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
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Parks Endowment
The Parks Endowment is awarded to an incoming freshman with an interest in Botany. The recipient of this scholarship is expected to develop a botanical research project in collaboration with a faculty member that will lead to the presentation of research results in the Dr. James C. Parks Memorial Lecture in the recipient's senior year.
Full consideration will be given to applications received by the announced deadline.
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Positive Energy Fund
Click Here to Visit the Positive Energy Fund Site
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RACHEL CARSON/LIDDELL FIELD COURSE
The Rachel Carson Biology Field Course Scholarship and the Liddell Award are scholarships to support field course studies for any School of Sciences and Mathematics major. Recipients must be in good academic standing overall and within their academic major (2.0 GPA) and pursuing a BA, BS, or BSE in the sciences or mathematics. Applicants will be considered but preference may be given to marine biology and oceanography students. Financial need may be considered but it is not the deciding factor in selection.
The minimum Rachel Carson scholarship award will be $1,000, and the minimum award for the Liddell Award is $500. Scholarships will cover costs for credits, fees, and housing up to the amount awarded and will be paid as a reimbursement upon successful completion of the course and presentation of invoices to the Millersville University Foundation. Applicants will be considered for both awards and are eligible for multiple awards.
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STUDENT GRANTS FOR RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Student Grants for Research and Creative Activity offer funding to support undergraduate and graduate students in their research and creative projects. Calls for proposals are sent out early in the Fall and Spring semesters.
The Student Grants for Research and Activity (SGRCA) program is intended to encourage both undergraduate and graduate students to undertake research and creative projects which will contribute new insights into the student's chosen academic field. Funds requested must be related to faculty-supervised research or creative project or to their undergraduate or graduate thesis. Grants will be made up to a maximum award of $500 for undergraduate students, and a maximum of $1,000 to graduate students, and may be used for research-related travel, materials, and supplies, research experiments and data collection, books, and equipment, and other research needs. Grant submissions will be accepted in the fall and spring semesters for currently enrolled Millersville students, with up to one year from the grant award notification to complete the research project and expend any grant funds.
Use the links below to access the full grant guidelines, grant application forms, and grant reimbursement forms.Please note: Your electronic submission will be your official application. No paper copies are necessary. Upon submission of your application, you and your faculty sponsor will receive an email with a copy of your application.
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Susan P. Luek Endowment
The Susan P. Luek Endowment Fund is established to support student-faculty research needs within the department of Psychology or its successor, such as research supplies, portions of the costs associated with students or faculty preparing for, traveling to or presenting at conferences.
SUSAN P. LUEK ENDOWMENT GUIDELINES
SUSAN P. LUEK ENDOWMENT APPLICATION
FINAL REPORT AND REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION -
Wickersham-Burrows Fund for Excellence in the Arts
The Wickersham-Burrowes Fund for Excellence in the Arts was established to encourage and facilitate projects enriching the educational experience of Millersville students pursuing projects in the arts.