A vital component of a solid liberal arts education is the opportunity for students to engage in research that is both original and independent of the normal classroom requirements. This program is designed to encourage this type of scholarly activity primarily by sophomore and junior biology students. Programs of student summer research stipends exist to provide support for directed student research at Wittenberg.

The program goals include the following:

1. To increase research opportunities for Wittenberg students.
2. To foster collaborative research between students and faculty.
3. To provide meaningful summer activities for the intellectual growth.
4. To provide a forum for intellectual exchange between students and faculty.
5. To promote the publication and/or presentation of research authored by students, or co-authored by students and faculty.

Student Development Fund Board

Since student faculty research is such an integral part of the Wittenberg experience, the Student Development Fund Board (SDFB) provides research stipends for both semester and summer student research.

Academic year research grants:

This board offers $250 grants for student faculty semester research. These grants provide funds for reimbursement of supply costs, travel and other incidental research costs for students.

Summer research grants:

The summer research grant is a more extensive research opportunity and provides students with a $2100 student stipend and $250 for supply costs. The summer research grants are highly competitive and are considered to be equivalent to a fulltime summer academic load. For more information on the guidelines and application process please visithttp://www4.wittenberg.edu/academics/frfb.

Biology Department Summer Research Grant Application Guidelines

This program is competitive and only a limited number of summer stipends will be awarded to the best research proposal(s) submitted by declared Wittenberg biology majors. This research experience may carry up to 5 academic credits according to the university guidelines for regular Directed Research.

1. Students interested in conducting research should, in consultation with an appropriate faculty member, prepare a research proposal that shall include the following elements:
   • A short descriptive title.
   • Abstract and starting date of the research.
   • Background information related to the research and a definite statement of the question or hypothesis being investigated.
   • Objectives that you believe you will be working towards, and when you intend to start the investigation.
   • Methods as specific as possible on how you intend to investigate the problem.
   • Proposed plan of study including a schedule for the summer (assumed to be approximately 10 weeks).
   • Statement of how appropriate faculty members will be involved in the project, whether through collaboration or supervision.
   • A personal assessment that outlines what preparation you have had allowing you to engage in the proposed project.
   • Students who submitted grants to the Student Development Board for summer funding may submit the same proposal to the Biology Department.
2. A letter from the cooperating faculty member(s) assessing your ability to carry out the project, and outlining the role that the faculty member(s) will play.
3. A current copy of your WATCH report.
4. Students receiving research stipends will be expected to present the results of their work at the Wittenberg Poster Session or a department seminar during the academic year following the summer experience. Presentation at other meetings such as an undergraduate research conference, or other professional conferences or meetings is encouraged. Faculty members working with students should help facilitate this requirement.
5. Students submitting proposals must demonstrate a high degree of previous academic success and appropriate preparation for the type of proposed research. Evidence of meeting these qualifications might include, but would not be limited to, such indicators as GPA, course preparation, previous research in the field, faculty assessments, etc.
6. Students are not eligible to receive this award more than once during their college career.   A student may not receive both the Student Development Board award and this award in the same summer.

Outside Funding Opportunities

Biology students are encouraged to seek outside funding to conduct research projects at other institutions.  Several links are provided here.

National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates:http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517&from=fund

GrantsNet: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/funding

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.noaa.gov/research.html