{"id":7781,"date":"2022-07-21T17:36:54","date_gmt":"2022-07-21T21:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/?page_id=7781"},"modified":"2025-07-31T11:17:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:17:37","slug":"student-research-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/student-research-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Research Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Understanding Funding <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are There Sources of Funding to Support Your Work?<\/h3>
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Many offices at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ support students conducting research. Usually ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ funding is secured through competitive grant processes. Consult the Summer Funded Opportunities portal<\/strong><\/a>, which has links to these key offices that may have programs to support your research:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dean of the Faculty’s Office:<\/strong> Summer research fellowships, Otis and Phillips Fellowships, student-faculty research grants, environmental internships, thesis and academic-year research grants, conference travel funds. Consult the student summer research portal<\/strong><\/a>. http:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/student-research\/summer\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harward Center for Community Partnerships:<\/strong> Harward Davis Projects for Peace can be found via this portal<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purposeful Work Program:<\/strong> Purposeful Work Internships and ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in Asia Internships, which can be research-based. Information can be found here<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also check out the Center for Global Education<\/strong> if you are studying abroad and plan to undertake a thesis related to your study abroad experience. Visit their information site here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some faculty members, especially in the STEM fields (science and math), have external grants that include funding for student researchers. So do not be shy about asking professors if they hire summer researchers and what type of work student researchers do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Off-campus opportunities abound as well, though these generally involve placement in existing research programs. Google “summer undergraduate research” and you will find many links to programs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Funding Source<\/h3>
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As you identify possible sources of funding, be sure you read the funder’s guidelines thoroughly. Look especially at the eligibility guidelines. If a funder only supports rising seniors and you are a sophomore, don’t apply! If the funder supports research in the humanities and you are a biology major, don’t apply. If the funder requires that you work on campus but your plan is to work in New York City, don’t apply! Your time is both limited and valuable so you want to use your time in a way that creates the greatest chance of getting funded. If either you or your project does not meet the eligibility requirements of the funder, you need to look elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a funding program, such as an NSF-REU program or the C3 Fellowships, has a start and end date, you should not apply unless you can be present for the entire duration of the program. They will not accept you if you plan to arrive two weeks late.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Preparing a Strong Grant Proposal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tips <\/h3>
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Think about why you want to do research. <\/strong>To hone your research skills? To challenge yourself? To contribute new knowledge in your field? To jumpstart your thesis? To see if you want to make research your career? Your own reasons for wanting to conduct research will help you frame a good proposal. Make sure you know why you want to take on a research project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s your research question?<\/strong> What do you want to study, and why is it important to you and to the rest of the world? What is it that you want to know? A faculty advisor can help you frame your research question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s your methodology?<\/strong> How will you go about finding the answers to your research questions? Are you familiar with the methodology in your field or is this something you’ll develop in the process of doing this research project? To write a good proposal, you must have a clear understanding of HOW you are going to the do the research. It might include background reading on the topic, developing an experiment, conducting interviews, consulting material in archives, analyzing data sets, watching and analyzing films, or composing a piece of music. Your method depends on your topic, but you need to be able to articulate a logical order in which you will undertake the work. Again, a faculty advisor is best equipped to help you develop this plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you familiar with related scholarship?<\/strong> The more you know about existing scholarship on your research topic, the better. Even basic background on a topic, if it’s new to you, is important in helping you formulate the right questions. A faculty advisor (again!) can help you identify sources to consult as you put your project together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the ethical considerations of your research? <\/strong>Every researcher must understand the ethical obligations of a scholar. Every researcher needs to be mindful of intellectual honesty, proper citation of sources, and the consequences of fabricating data. Familiarize yourself with the Student Research Handbook (http:\/\/www.bates.edu\/academics\/student-research\/student-research-handbook\/), which covers many topics related to research ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are working with human subjects<\/strong>, your research plan may be subject to review by the Institutional Review Board, the college committee that approves research protocols when humans are involved. Some grant applications will ask you if your project requires IRB approval and if you have such approval, so it’s important to be familiar with the IRB guidelines. See the IRB website for more info: http:\/\/abacus.bates.edu\/~bpfohl\/irb\/ .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are working with vertebrates<\/strong>, your work will likely require the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which review research protocols involving animals. If you are working in a ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ lab, your faculty advisor will manage the IACUC approval. For questions contact Professor Ryan Bavis in Biology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of support do you need? <\/strong>Once you have your idea ironed out, you are in a good position to determine what kind of support you need, if any. If you are running experiments that use consumable supplies, the budget may be straightforward. If you need to travel to a field site or an archive, you can estimate the number of trips and the cost. If you are doing a psychology study with many subjects, you may need to compensate those subjects for their time and to keep them engaged in the entire experiment. If you are spending the summer studying the novels of Jane Austen and living at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, you may not have any operating expenses, but your TIME has value. If you would otherwise have to work at a job in the summer, you’ll need to replace those earnings in order to conduct full-time research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Developing a Research Grant Proposal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Summer Research Planning Guide <\/h3>
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Conducting research as an undergraduate gives you the chance to apply what you’ve learned, challenge yourself, work independently, and contribute to new knowledge. Summer research, in which you work full-time on a project, also lets you experience the life of a scholar, especially important if you are considering graduate study. It can also inform your career plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conducting research as an undergraduate gives you the chance to apply what you’ve learned, challenge yourself, work independently, and contribute to new knowledge. Summer research, in which you work full- time on a project, also lets you experience the life of a scholar, especially important if you are considering graduate study. It can also inform your career plans.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thinking about Research? Consider These Questions:<\/h3>
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WHY do you want to undertake research? How does summer research relate to your undergraduate academic program? Your post-graduate plans?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT type of research do you want to undertake? Do you want to work with a faculty member or another scholar as their research assistant? Do you want to develop and undertake your own research project? Do you have the research skills and academic preparation for the project? What do you hope to gain?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Developing a Research Question<\/h3>
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  • I want to study:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Because I want to find out:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • So that I can understand:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • This is important because:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What’s Your Research Question?<\/h3>
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    WHERE is the best place to undertake your research? At ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½? At another university? At a different type of research institution such as a think tank or a museum?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    WHO is the best person to serve as a research advisor, and how can you line that up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    HOW much will your research cost? What do you need? Do you need to be paid so you will not need to take another job? Do you need money for travel, supplies, texts, data sets, equipment, or subject reimbursement?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    HOW can you secure funding for your project? Consider ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ sources: Dean of the Faculty’s Office (for research and fellowships); the Harward Center for Community Partnerships (for community-engaged projects); Purposeful Work\/BCDC (for career internships); Off- Campus Study Office (for Barlow Grants).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your project might also be fundable through a faculty member’s external grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Or you may consider participating in a research program at another institution (C3 Fellowships, SROPs, NSF-REUs).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Developing an Abstract<\/h3>
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    • General topic and the background; previous scholarship:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • My research question:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • The methodology I will use:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Why this matters:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Tips for Writing a Narrative <\/h3>
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      • Pitch your proposal based on the guidelines: don’t get off-topic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Don\u2019t bury the lead: get right to the point (abstract helps here)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Avoid repetition \u2013 don’t repeat the abstract<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Demonstrate clear thinking and writing: logical progression of ideas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Simplify technical language<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Passive vs. active voice: one or the other!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Demonstrate interest and passion in the topic<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Have an informative title \u2013 helps the reviewers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Structuring the Narrative<\/h3>
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        Existing Scholarship (include only of it is NOT in the abstract)<\/strong>:
        \u201cBuilding on previous scholarship that\u2026”
        Methodology<\/strong>:
        \u201cIn order to study XX, I will begin by…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        • Be specific about the order of your work, timetable (what you\u2019ll do when)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Analysis\/interpretation<\/strong>:
          \u201cOnce I have collected these data\/After studying these texts, I will \u2026
          Qualifications:<\/strong>
          \u201cAs a XX major, I am qualified to undertake this project because\u2026”
          Significance<\/strong>:
          \u201cThis research will lead to my thesis\/will inform policymakers about \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Advising and Financial Support for Your Research <\/h3>
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          CONSULT<\/strong> with a faculty member about your project, both its design and avenues for funding. Take advantage of advising through the dean of the faculty’s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          SECURE<\/strong> a research advisor who is willing to work with you. Each research mentoring relationship is different, so student and advisor need to have a clear understanding of the role played by the advisor as well as the advisor’s expectations for the student researcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          DEVELOP<\/strong> a project with specific research questions grounded in sound methodology and your solid understanding of the existing scholarship on the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          BE MINDFUL<\/strong> of research ethics and your responsibilities as a researcher. Take a research ethics training course (available online at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ through CITI). Does your research involve human or animal subjects? Understand your protocol review requirements for working with humans or animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          FIND<\/strong> funding. Study funding opportunities and make sure the goals of the funder align with your research goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          PREPARE<\/strong> a proposal for funding that is clear and well written, with a defined scope of research (don’t undertake a project in one summer that really requires a Ph.D. dissertation!), a feasible plan, a timetable, and your understanding of the existing scholarship. Have your essay reviewed by your advisor or your writing center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          DO NOT LEAVE<\/strong> your request for a faculty letter of recommendation or a transcript until the last minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          MAKE SURE<\/strong> you’ve clearly understood the funding program’s application requirements. Submit everything that is required but don’t add superfluous materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          OBSERVE page limits and MAKE THE DEADLINE!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Application<\/strong> Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          Aligning Your Project with Funding Program’s Goals<\/h3>
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          If the goal of the funder is to encourage diversity by creating as many research experiences as possible for students from underrepresented groups or who are first-generation to college, and you are neither first-gen nor from an underrepresented group, you will probably not be selected and the position will go to an equally qualified student who will held advance the funder’s goals. If the Otis Fellowship Program supports experiential learning rather than straight-up research, do not propose a pre-thesis topic, because it will not meet the Otis program goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Bottom line: Both you and your project should be eligible for the funding program and align with its goals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Understand the Guidelines<\/h3>
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          Often proposals do not get funded because the student has simply not read through the guidelines, leading to all sorts of major and minor problems, so be sure to read all the guidelines before doing anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Be aware of the deadline and mark it in any calendars you have! Given the deadline, be sure to ask for any letters of recommendation or transcripts requests well in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Some students find that it’s helpful to develop a checklist of proposal components so that they do not inadvertently omit any required component of the proposal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Understand the Method and Format of Submission<\/h3>
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          Do you apply through Handshake? On paper? Online? Be sure you understand how you will be applying. It is CRITICALLY IMPORTANT that you understand the format of the proposal. If the guidelines call for a 2-page narrative, double-spaced, do not submit 3 pages, or any pages single-spaced! If there are word count limits, you must abide by them or many funders will discard your proposal. This may sound obvious, but ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ students routinely ignore these instructions and this puts their funding at risk. In the real world, incorrect formatting almost always means no funding, so compliance with these requirements is good to start practicing now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ proposals often ask for a one-paragraph abstract. This is intended to be a summary of your research questions and plan. Do not create a full-page “one-paragraph” abstract! An abstract should not exceed 150 words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Depending on the guidelines, you may be able to include attachments such as short bibliographies, sample interview questions, maps, and budgets, but these documents only support your narrative. Do not rely on endless attachments to tell the story of your project. The review committees will consider your narrative as your project’s description. DO NOT include email threads that prove to the committee that you have done planning. You need to convey that in your narrative.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          Key Ingredients to a Good Proposal: Time, Knowledge, and Writing<\/h3>
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          Time.<\/strong> Deadlines for summer grant funding at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ come in February, March, and April, all months when the student work load is heavy. This makes it challenging to carve out the time to write a good proposal, but you need to make that time if you are serious about summer funding. You need time to think, to conduct background research, to consult with your faculty advisor, draft a proposal, edit and revise it, perhaps to seek help from Writing at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, and to secure your letters of support. Before you begin, determine if you can set aside the time necessary to do a good job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Knowledge.<\/strong> You are an emerging scholar and you are developing your own expertise in the topic you wish to study. Your narrative needs to demonstrate that you have a solid handle on the topic and the previous research, that you have a well-defined scope of research, that you know what questions to ask and how to go about finding answers. You need to show that you understand the methods in your field and how to deploy them in your project. The committee needs to see that the project is feasible within the limits of several weeks in the summer and your financial resources. Finally, you need to show that you have ironed out the details of your research plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Writing.<\/strong> Your writing not only reports to the committee what you will be doing, but also reflects your capacity to think, organize your ideas, and argue effectively. Your writing reveals how well you are prepared to undertake scholarship, so you must devote time and attention to crafting a well-written proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ grant proposals tend to be very short: for research grants, you have a one-paragraph abstract and 2 additional pages, double-spaced, in which to describe you plan. For Phillips and Otis Fellowships, you provide an abstract and a 5-page narrative, double-spaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In that limited space you must articulate:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n