The Kindschi Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the Sciences provides financial support to students pursuing rigorous, independent scholarship during the academic year, mentored by a faculty member in one of the following areas: aquatic sciences, allied health sciences, biology, biomedical sciences, cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, information systems, mathematics, movement science, neuroscience, physics, recreational therapy, and statistics. Proposals related to the Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse are also encouraged.

The funded projects must be in one of the fields noted above, and conform to the definition of undergraduate research as defined by the Council on Undergraduate Research: "An inquiry or an investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline."

The goals of this fellowship are to encourage students to experience the beauty and excitement of disciplinary research through discovery of original results and independent learning outside of course work, and to better prepare interested students for graduate and professional education.

About the Award

AWARD
The award provides students with a paid fellowship per semester, or per academic year, a $1,000 project supplies budget per semester, and a $1,000 dissemination fund. The award can be distributed in the following ways:

• $2,500 fellowship for approximately 10 hours per week for an academic semester
• $2,500 fellowship for approximately 5 hours per week for an academic year
• $5,000 fellowship for approximately 10 hours per week for an academic year
  • Applications of this type will be more competitive

Please specify the amount and duration of the award in the application. Also, please note that this fellowship is not renewable.

ELIGIBILITY
The fellowship is available to undergraduate students at GVSU who have not completed the requirements for graduation. It is preferred that the student will be enrolled at GVSU as an undergraduate for at least one full semester of study beyond the period of the award. Successful applicants generally have a 3.0 GPA or higher in their major. Please note that this fellowship cannot be awarded to support an independent study (399 or 499), or an Honors Thesis.

All tenured, tenure-track, visiting, and affiliate faculty are eligible to mentor Kindschi Fellows.

Proposal Requirements

The application is a collaborative effort between an undergraduate and faculty mentor. An undergraduate student may propose a research project to a faculty member, or a faculty member may actively recruit an undergraduate student for a potential research project. Applicants can apply for either a Fall Semester Fellowship (10 hours per week), Winter Semester Fellowship (10 hours per week), or an Academic Year Fellowship (5 hours per week OR 10 hours per week).

The proposal must include the following sections:

1. Project Description: Description of the project (Limited to 1 page, 12-point font, double spaced, 1 inch margins)
    
2. Project Goals and Feasibility: (limited to 2 pages, 12-point font, double spaced, 1 inch margins, exclusive of references). This should include the following:
   1. Background – What specific research problem or creative process is being addressed?
   2. Significance – Explain the significance or interest of the proposed project. What are the goals of the project? What is the ideal outcome of this project?
   3. Methodology – Describe the nature of the research, including the types of activities the student will engage in, how goals will be set, and how progress will be assessed.
   4. Timeline – Include a timeline of the project detailing the responsibilities of the student at each stage. What are the significant research tasks for the student?
       
3. Quality of the Student Learning Experience: This should include the following:
   1. Student focus – What are the faculty member’s student-centered goals for this project? What pedagogical techniques will the faculty member use to help the student achieve those goals? What active collaboration will take place?
   2. Independence – Describe the steps to be taken to allow the student to become a more independent researcher/scholar during the project.
       
4. Student Qualifications and Motivation: This should include the following:
   1. Preparation – A statement written by the student that articulates his/her interest in the project, how s/he is prepared to meet the project objectives and outcomes. Students must disclose their academic and non-academic commitments for the proposed semester(s). It is the expectation that this fellowship will be a significant part of their co-curricular experience.
   2. Qualifications – A one page résumé listing major GPA, overall GPA, work, volunteer, and educational experiences that will help the student complete the project.
   3. Coursework – Copy of your Unofficial Transcript
       

Proposal Review: Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty committee using a rubric.

How to Apply

The DEADLINE for awards for FALL semester only will be in early May. The DEADLINE for awards for WINTER semester only will be in mid-November. The Faculty and student should prepare the proposal per the requirements listed below. The proposal needs to be one complete PDF document that you will submit online. There is only one upload button, so please be sure your document is complete.

Application Form

Spring/Summer 2024 Deadline
March 22, 2024

Fall 2024 Deadline
May 24, 2024

Grantee Responsibilities

STUDENT SCHOLARS DAY
Kindschi Fellows are required to present on campus at Student Scholars Day, or another venue as described in the fellowship proposal. Fellows are also encouraged to present on campus at departmental seminars, as well as present off campus at disciplinary conferences.

BUDGET TRACKING
Fellows and their mentors are responsible for monitoring this budget and initiating any reimbursements. Project funds are distributed through departmental transfers or Travel and Expense reimbursement. We process reimbursements and department transfer requests. We do not order supplies, make travel arrangements, etc. Please see the Budget and Reimbursement Information web page on the OURS Summer Scholar Programs website. We will follow the same process for Kindschi Fellows as we do for our summer scholars.
 

KINDSCHI FELLOWSHIP REPORT
Successful applicants must provide a final report to the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship. The report must include a project abstract, a description of the current status of the project, and intentions for possible dissemination. The report will be due on the last Friday of classes of the project semester (i.e., the Friday before Exam Week).

Request Project/Dissemination Funds

Submit your Report