Prospective URCA Associates
Applicant Checklist
The URCA Associate application can sometimes be a bit tricky. Here are some tips and suggestions that might make the process go more smoothly:
- Be sure to thoroughly study and follow the URCA Associate Proposal Guidelines. Your proposal must contain ALL of the following sections:
1. Abstract
2. Introduction and Significance
3. Context, Background, and/or Literature Review
4. Goals, Objectives, or Operating Hypothesis
5. Materials, Procedures, and Time Line
6. References
7. Budget Justification
- Review several different Sample URCA Associate Proposals, even those in disciplines vastly different from your own. These proposals all received funding from the URA, but they are not perfect. You will find examples of both good and bad practices to follow, or not follow, as the case may be. It is especially useful to review the Materials, Procedures and Time Lines section, as well as the Budget Justification. Students find a variety of ways to present these particular components, and reviewing several of them may provide a useful template as you write your own proposal.
- Some research and creative activities require special clearance and additional paperwork. This includes projects involving Animal Care, Biosafety and Hazardous Material, and Human Subjects. URCA Associate mentors should be familiar with these clearances, and URCA Associates may need to complete special certifications and applications. SIUE's Graduate School can provide additional information on special research clearance at http://www.siue.edu/graduate/researchpolicies/index.shtml, or by contacting Linda Skelton at 650-2958.
When the time is nearing for you to submit your URCA Associate proposal, read it over carefully. It is often a good idea to have several others read your proposal and provide feedback. Check for the following:
- The proposal is free from grammatical and spelling errors.
- Make sure discipline-specific terms and concepts are explained. A glossary can also be included if necessary.
- All acronyms and abbreviations are properly referenced.
- Proper citations are made in a style consistent with that of your discipline.
- Page numbers can be found on each page of the proposal.
- Your budget summary on the Application/Cover Sheet is consistent with the Budget Justification found in the body of the proposal.
During the submission process, be advised that:
- All signatures (applicant, mentor, chair and dean of school/college) must be contained on the Cover/Application Page when it is submitted to the Office of Academic Innovation and Effectiveness.
- Both an electronic and a single hard copy must be submitted to the Office of Academic Innovation and Effectiveness (RH 3115) for a proposal to be considered viable.
- Applicants are asked NOT to put the hard copy of their proposals in report covers.
- There have been complications with the Office of Academic Innovation and Effectiveness receiving electronic proposals containing photos, pictures and illustrations. Additional difficulty has also occurred with students who use Mac computers. Therefore, it is a good idea for students to bring their proposals along on a flash drive when they turn in a hard copy of their proposals to the Office of Academic Innovation and Effectiveness (RH 3115).
For more information on the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program, contact Dr. Laura Pawlow at (618) 650-2608 or lpawlow@siue.edu.
