Research Program

Students, in collaboration with mentors, will make proposals to fund the work they want to perform.  Undergrads earn money for creating knowledge based upon the scholarly method. Motivated students will find a thrilling experience in the intellectual community while enriching their graduate school aspirations or entry into industry.  What better way to maximize your potential in engineering?

 

Research Program Application

 

Getting Started

Students can have their own research idea or work with a faculty member on their research. It is up to the student to connect with a faculty member and then apply for the FURI program.  If a student is looking for ideas or faculty members to work with, it is useful to view the link on this webpage called "Finding a mentor."  This link advertises faculty or doctoral students looking for undergraduate engineering students to work with.  It may also be useful to visit the following link (research). After reading about the various research activities in the School, then the student should knock on doors and see if there is anyway to participate. The good news is that this program will pay the student to try the research area. The mentor, in turn, gets to try the student's talents.

 

Program Requirements

Students selected to participate in this program will be expected to:

1. Conduct their research on campus.  FURI does not fund students to conduct research at off-campus locations.
2. Meet with the mentor during the first week of the spring semester to execute the research plan and be placed on the payroll.
3. Maintain good standing in the program by meeting regularly with the mentor, performing the research activities, and attending the workshops.
4. Attend two workshops, one at the beginning of the semester as an introduction to the program and, one at the end of the semester to obtain information about the Abstract Book and the Symposium.
5. Submit a one-page summary of completed research and check-in with Student Initiatives Coordinator.
6. Submit a 100 word abstract for the Abstract Book.
7. Participate in the semi-annual Research Symposium by presenting a poster displaying the research achievements.
8. Submit a 2-page summary of accomplishments prior to the respective semester's Reading Day.
9. Attend events where FURI will be represented.
10. Failure to fulfill these requirements may result in the loss of funding.

 

Mentoring

• A mentor is a faculty member or a doctoral student in the Fulton School of Engineering.
• A mentor agrees to guide the student research by assisting in the proposal preparation, defining the timetable in the proposal and developing the supplies budget.
• A mentor meets regularly during the semester with the student, averaging about one hour per week.
• A mentor guides the design and production of the poster for the Research Symposium
• The mentor will receive a total of $500 at the end of the semester, pending the student completes all requirements.

 

Duration

Students are eligible for 3 semesters of funding.  Honors students are eligible for up to 5 semesters of funding.  FURI is during Fall and Spring semesters.

 

Important Date

Application Deadline - Friday, May 9, 12pm, ECG 125A

Start of research - Monday, August 25, 2008

Research Symposium - Friday, November 21, 2008 from 1-3pm

 

Financial Support

Students will be paid an hourly rate of $8.50 for 10 hours weekly equaling a total of $1360 per semester. Students will be paid bi-weekly.  Of course, students must perform to the mentor's satisfaction to receive the entire semester employment and complete all the requirements of the FURI problem.  The cost of supplies, up to $400, may be covered. Mentors will receive $500 (after the student completes the semester in FURI).

 

Application

Applications are accepted in May for fall semester and in December for spring semester.  Students applying in May are eligible to apply for fall and spring semesters or fall semester only.  Students applying at in December are only eligible to apply for spring semeter. 

 

Evaluation Criteria

Complete applications will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Intellectual challenge being proposed
• Budget
• Leadership
• Feasibility of accomplishing the targeted objective for the semester
• Written quality of the proposal
• Academic standing

 

Frequently Asked Questions for the Research Program

Who is eligible?

Any Fulton School of Engineering undergraduate student in good academic standing is eligible to apply.

Can students conduct research at an off campus lab?

No. The FURI program supports students who conduct research on campus at ASU and with a Fulton School of Engineering mentor. Off campus laboratories are not accepted.

Are construction students eligible for this program?

Yes, construction students are eligible for all the programs in FURI.

Does a student need to work with a teaching faculty member?

No. The mentor can also be a faculty member or a doctoral student.

Can students team on a proposal?

There are no provisions to fund teams of students. However, it is possible that several students could submit individual applications, and then work together on the research.

Can a student get academic credit for the research?

The program does not award credit, however students may speak to their department and honors students can register for HON498.

Is there money for supplies or materials?

Yes. These costs will be paid on a reimbursement basis to the student, faculty sponsor or department. It should be detailed in the proposal.

Can the mentor be in a different department than the student?

Yes, the only restriction is working within the Fulton School of Engineering.

Can the research be a senior design project?

No, this program is designed to pursue ideas outside the usual classroom setting.

Can I get money to do a project associated with a student organization?

No, the program is designed to fund individual students being mentored on a one-to-one basis.

If I complete the application and submit all the paperwork, what are the chances that I will be selected for the grant?

The program is competitive.  The best applicants will be selected. The chance of getting funded is dependent on the quality and competitiveness of your proposal.

What if I have more questions?

We encourage you to come to one of the information sessions to receive further information on the program. Or email your questions to furi@asu.edu.