* ANNOUNCING,
for 2007-2008 *
The Trinity College Research Forums for
Undergraduate Independent Research in the
Biological or Neural Sciences
The primary goals of the Trinity College Research Forum
in Biology and the Trinity College Research Forum in Neuroscience--known formerly
as the Howard Hughes Forums--are to encourage undergraduate independent research
in the biological or neural sciences. Students selected to be Research Forum
Fellows participate in a special seminar course and poster session in the spring
semester in which they present and discuss their research projects. Portions
of the seminar will be devoted to preparing and defending a written research
proposal on either the work the student is doing or on future directions the
work could take.
Each Forum will award 15 grants of up to $500 to support independent projects. These grants will be awarded to Third- and Fourth-year students for their projects on the basis of applications they prepare and submit, as described below.
The research must be carried out in connection with a formal independent study for which the student is enrolled in Fall 2007 and/or Spring 2008 and is supervised by a Duke faculty member. Faculty are welcome to sponsor more than one applicant in any given year. Prior Hughes Forum participants are not eligible to participate. Students need not major in Biology, Neurobiology, or Psychology; nor must the research be conducted in these particular departments.
A panel of faculty will select the Research Forum Fellows. Please note that the deadline for receipt of proposals is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 4, 2007, and is firm. Applicants will be notified by e-mail, no later than November 1st. If you have any questions regarding this program or proposal preparation, please e-mail Ms Deborah Wahl (deborah.wahl@duke.edu).
Application Guidelines. Applications should be typed (single-spaced) and should include the parts listed below. Together, sections 2 and 3 should not exceed one page in length.
1. Cover page -- This should include the title of the research, departmental affiliation of the research mentor and the student's and mentor's names, e-mail and mailing addresses, and telephone numbers Note the academic year (Junior or Senior) of the student, and specify whether you wish consideration for the Biology Forum ("B"), Neurosciences Forum ("N"), or either of these ("E"). Please note that successful applicants will be admitted to a single forum; offers of acceptance are not transferable between forums. No plastic report covers, please.
2. Background and Justification -- a brief, single-paragraph description, including reference citations where appropriate, of the scientific context for the study, written so as to be accessible to a non-specialist but scientifically literate reader. (This and the following section should be composed and written by the student.)
3. Objectives -- A clear statement of the central problem or question and the student's role in addressing it.
4. Budget and Budget Justification.
THREE copies of the application, PLUS
5. A Letter of Support from the Advising Professor -- This should be confidential, with two copies submitted in a single sealed envelope accompanying the proposal. The letter may clarify how the approach the student will take is appropriate to the goals of the study.
should be submitted to:
Dr. V. Louise Roth, Director, T.C. Research Forum in Biology, Department of
Biology, Box 90338
or
Dr. Warren Meck, Director, T.C. Research Forum in Neuroscience, Department of
Psychological & Brain Sciences,
Box 91050
If delivering by hand, look for the "Research Forum" mail bins in
135 BioSciences Bldg. (for “B” or “E” proposals); or
bring to Room 245 Soc/Psy Bldg (for “N” or “E” proposals)