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Grants-In-Aid of Undergraduate Research

Description
The Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) and the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH) are pleased to award small grants in support of faculty-supervised research by Harvard College undergraduates. Projects in any subject area are eligible for support, although priority may be given to projects that utilize MCZ or HUH research collections, laboratories and other facilities, and to related fieldwork. Funds from the HUH are primarily available to support projects in the field of plant biology. Projects that facilitate senior honors theses or associated preliminary studies are particularly encouraged. Priority is given to first-time applicants.

Awards range from $500 to $2500 and may provide support for the academic year (fall and spring semesters) or summer. Applicants for spring and summer grants are strongly encouraged to simultaneously apply for research support from the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP).

Eligibility
Harvard College undergraduates only

Application
Applicants must complete the GUR Application Form AND the standard application form through CARAT (Centralized Application for Research and Travel). Applications consist of a brief research proposal (approx. 750 words) with citations, resume, transcript (unofficial accepted), and must identify a Harvard faculty member who has agreed to supervise the project. The proposal should describe the project's goals, the specific plan to accomplish those goals and the role of the faculty sponsor. The faculty reference letter may be emailed or mailed separately by your sponsor. Reference letters must be written by your faculty sponsor. Faculty sponsors should review complete applications before the proposal is submitted.


To view an example of a successful GUR proposal, please click here.


You may submit your application, including a scanned copy of your CARAT registration, via email to grants@oeb.harvard.edu or mail*/drop off one hardcopy of the complete application to:


Catherine Weisel
Museum of Comparative Zoology
Harvard University
26 Oxford Street
Room 108
Cambridge, MA 02138


*Mailed applications, including letters of support, even if mailed separately, must be received by the application deadline.

Deadlines
Proposals are reviewed three times a year.
Fall: Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Spring: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Summer: Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Decisions typically will be announced within one month of each deadline.

Questions
Please direct all inquiries to Catherine Weisel via email or 617.495.2460.