1. URCA Grant Proposal Workshop
October 2016

2. Who is Eligible to Apply?
To be eligible for an URCA grant, an applicant must be:
an undergraduate student in good academic standing and remain so throughout the funding period
AND
engaged in a student initiated project during the academic year

3. Development of a Project
Develop a research topic
Find a Faculty mentor
Develop Project Plan
Develop Project Budget
Identify and apply to all appropriate funding agencies
NOTES

4. Mentor
Must be a ladder track faculty member or a lecturer with appointment for at least the current academic year
Be a member of the Academic Senate (view the list here:
Be available for consultation for duration of the project
Mentor must submit a letter of endorsement online in the URCA Grant System as a PDF by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016.
NOTES

5. Proposal
Proposal instructions and forms found
Proposal submitted electronically using the URCA Grant System,
Will need UCSBnet ID and password to access system
May access and update proposal on system until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016

6. Proposal Components On-line Data Form
Abstract of no more than 100 words
Project plan limited to two pages standard margins font size no smaller than 11 points
Budget (must be on URCA Budget Form)
Mentor’s endorsement letter
All items are submitted online on the URCA Research Proposal Submission System (1-4 by the student and 5 by the mentor):
NOTES

7. On-line System Log In Page

8. Data Form

9. Data Form

10. Abstract Summary of the detailed project plan 100 words maximum
May be edited repeatedly until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016
The system keeps only the latest version uploaded

11. On-line Abstract Section

12. Project Plan Should Address
The two-page plan should include:
Specific Aims
Research Design and Methods
Background and Significance
A Timeline
References are not required, but if included must remain within two page maximum
NOTES

13. Specific Aims State what you intend to do
List the overall objectives and describe concisely and realistically what the project in your application is intended to accomplish
Include any hypotheses to be tested
Scripts for films or dramatic projects are not substitutes for a project plan
NOTES

14. Research Design and Methods
Describe the research design and the procedures to be used
How are you going to do the work
Include the means by which the applicable data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted
Provide tentative sequence or timetable for project
Mention if you are seeking approval to use human subjects
NOTES

15. Background and Significance
Why is the work important?
Relate specific aims to the broader goals of your undergraduate education and field of study (major/minor)
Why is the award of significance to you?
What experiences or courses have prepared you to undertake this project?
NOTES

16. Timeline
Indicate duration of research or creative activity (two quarters, one year, etc.)

17. Human Subjects
Projects involving the use of human subjects must comply with the University guidelines for the use of human subjects.
Details found at:
Please speak with your mentor as soon as possible regarding this matter.

18. Project Plan Submission

19. Budget Must use URCA Budget Form (available on website)
Listing of costs connected with the project
Maximum award per project is $750
Only valid, justifiable expenses will be considered
Conference related expenses will not be funded
Your methodology section should be the basis of your budget
For projects costing in excess of $750, list all costs on the budget form and indicate how remaining costs will be covered in order to bring the entire project to successful completion
Budget must be reviewed and endorsed by mentor
NOTES

20. Budget Components
General supplies
Other Costs
Domestic travel
NOTES

21. General Supplies General office supplies and consumables
limited to $150 with cost maximums of:
Office supplies & photocopying = $30
Computer related supplies (ink & paper) = $40
Binding of final report = $30
Poster materials = $50
NOTES

22. Other Costs
Non-consumable services & other expenditures --Rental of equipment --Laboratory supplies --Books --Duplication costs for paper surveys --Fees for access to databases, online services, etc --Cost to purchase film, music, or stage props --Payment of subjects (cash payment or drawing) --Payment for services (cannot be via payroll) Will not provide funding for salary or for the purchase of equipment or computer hardware and software!
NOTES

23. Payment of Subjects Test Subjects: We will fund $5-$30 per subject
Questionnaire or Survey Participants: will fund $1- $10 per participant
Interviews: We will fund up to $20 per interviewee
Incentive for a large pool in any case: The value of the prize may not exceed 10% of the total grant funding. (e.g., a grant of $750 would allow for a prize of $75)
Only one prize of 10% can be offered, but two prizes of 5% would be acceptable
NOTES

24. Travel
Domestic travel only outside commuter area (Santa Barbara/Goleta)
May not cover any costs connected with international travel (travel, lodging, & meals)
Must be justifiable and MUST follow UC Travel Policies (consult with departmental Financial Officer PRIOR to the proposal submission and again PRIOR to actual trip)
Will not approve multiple trips to same site - would rather see one week long trip than 3 or 4 weekend trips
Mileage reimbursement is 54 cents/mile
Airfare (economy rate only)
NOTES

25. Sample Budget General Supplies Poster Materials $50
Binding of final report
$30
Other Costs
Payment to subjects
$800
Tape and electrodes
$260
Questionnaires, info sheets, debriefing forms
$120
Total Expenditure
$1,260
Amount Requesting from URCA Office
$750
Balance to be covered by: Payment to subjects covered by mentor’s grant
$510

26. Sample Budget with Travel
Category
Item
Cost
General Supplies
Computer ink and paper
$40
Poster materials
$50
Other Costs
Archival photocopies
$100
Travel
UCSB to Stanford 298 miles x 54 cents/mile
$166.88
Stanford to UCB 50 miles x 54 cents/mile
$28
UCB to UCSB 326 miles x 54 cents/mile
$182.56
Lodging 4 nights at $80 per night
$320.00
Total:
$887.44
Requesting:
$750
Balance to be covered by: personal finances
$137.44

27. More Budget!

28. Budget Form Submission

29. Financial aid
Disclaimer: URCA grants are considered a financial resource for financial aid purposes. The total amount of financial aid that you may receive is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) and is based on federal and state policy. If OFAS finds that you have received the full amount of aid for which you are eligible, your URCA award may lead to a reduction in certain types of aid. If you are unsure about whether you have received the full amount of aid for which you are eligible, or to inquire about how receiving a URCA award may impact your existing financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (805)

30. Mentor Letter of Support
Provide mentor with “Instructions for Mentor’s Support Letter” form
Letter must be signed on department letterhead
Proposals missing support letter will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed
Letters to be submitted online in the URCA Grant System as a PDF by November 4, 2016.
A link will be sent to your mentor when you submit your proposal application with his/her address included.
NOTES

31. A Good Proposal Clearly describes the project
Contains all components and all information requested (Follow instructions & use forms supplied)
Justifies use of proposed funds
(Methodology versus budgeted items)
Has a project schedule/timeline
(That is adequate to bring the project to a successful completion)
Indicates the depth of the Mentor/Student relationship
(Proposal and Letter will show quantity and depth of communication)

32. Timeline Application deadline: Friday, Nov. 4, 2016
NOTES
Application deadline: Friday, Nov. 4, 2016
Review of proposals and budgets
Award decisions to be made by December 7
Award decisions to be sent to your U-mail account. No award decisions will be given out in person or over the telephone! Please check account frequently during the quarter break
NOTES

33. LabRATS – Sustainability Program
Offering the Surplus Chemical Program in partnership with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
Allowing labs across campus to swap excess chemicals
Free to lab group receiving the chemicals and will be delivered at no cost by EHS to the lab group
Details available at:

34. Questions?
URCA Walk Ins 2110 North Hall Monday-Friday 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00 Jacob LaViolet: Program Coordinator Alan Vu: Program Assistant