Several awards provide different levels of funding for undergraduate students to work on research teams with MSU faculty mentors. All CNS students, except those currently appointed as a Professorial Assistant (PA), are encouraged to apply for these awards.
Application
To apply, you must be enrolled as a full-time student at MSU with a major in the College of Natural Science. Students eligible for summer support must have been enrolled as a full-time student during the prior Spring semester and not have graduated. These awards do not require that the faculty mentor(s) be CNS faculty. Students in Lyman Briggs, Engineering, Agriculture & Natural Resources and other colleges are not eligible; please see your college for similar scholarship opportunities.
Deadlines and Award Timing
Applications for these awards will be accepted until the 10th business day of the Fall and Spring semesters, and awards will be made by the fourth week of the semester. For the summer, applications are due April 1 and awards will be made before the start of summer semester.
Time Commitment
While students do not need to enroll for research credit, they are expected to engage in a research project for approximately 8 to 10 hours per week during the academic year and at least 20 hours per week during the summer.
Required Presentation of Work
Students who receive funds are expected to present their results at a research forum. This could include the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum in April, a similar departmental program, or a regional or national scientific meeting. The presentation should be within two semesters after receiving support. If you receive support for more than one semester during any academic year, you would be required to give only one presentation for that year if the support is for the same research project.
Award Programs
Different parameters govern each award. Some of the awards provide stipends (student salary support) and some pay for material support (supplies and travel). Students may apply for multiple awards.
Available Awards
Larry D. Fowler Endowment Undergraduate Research Stipends
Approximately seven awards of $3,500 will be made each summer to support undergraduate students participating in summer research in the College of Natural Science. The funds from the Fowler Grants are to be used for student stipends. Awards will be released when the mentor informs the CNS Office of Student Affairs that the student has initiated their project. Awardees will have demonstrated merit in their studies. Any student in the College of Natural Science can apply.
Deadline: April 1
Download the Fowler Application (Word)
CNS Undergraduate Research Support Program
Approximately eight $1,000 awards are funded each Fall and Spring semester and approximately five $3,000 awards are funded for the summer semester. Funds from these awards are generally to be used for student stipends; exceptions should be explained and justified. Awards will be released when the mentor informs the CNS Office of Student Affairs that the student has initiated their project. Student awardees and their mentors are required to file a brief assessment report as a follow-up to their projects. Additionally, each mentor is required to provide one judge for the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum in April.
Each award requires a sponsoring department or faculty mentor to contribute $200/semester (Fall and Spring) or $300 (Summer), either from a research grant or from a general funds account. The rest of the award will be provided from CNS funds.
Any student in the College of Natural Science can apply. Awards will be selected on the basis of both merit and financial need.
Deadline: 10th business day of the Fall and Spring semesters; April 1 for Summer semester0
Download the CNS Application (Word)
Lawrence G. and Eveline L. Mullica Research Award
One $750 award is funded each Fall and Spring semester in the form of a student stipend. While demonstrated academic success is important, financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and the availability of the research award to students with diverse academic abilities is of equal or greater importance.
Recipients are required to express acceptance and appreciation of the award in writing to the donor within six weeks of notification of the award. Funds will be released when the mentor informs the CNS Office of Student Affairs that the student has initiated their project and after the Office of Student Affairs receives a copy of the acceptance/appreciation letter.
Deadline: 10th business day of the Fall and Spring semesters; this award is not available Summer semester
Download the Mullica Application (Word)
How to Apply for these Awards
Note: Incomplete applications or failure to comply with these instructions may result in delay or denial of the application.
- Complete the appropriate Undergraduate Research Support Application(s) and print out a copy of the completed form. Obtain the signatures indicated on the form.
- Download the Fowler Application (Word)
- Download the CNS Application (Word)
- Download the Mullica Application (Word)- Submit a one-page description of the research, written by the student and mentioning any previous research experience must accompany the application.
- Sample Research Statement (PDF)
- Obtain a letter of support from your research mentor. This letter should also address financial need (if applicable).
- Submit the completed application, one-page description and letter of support to:
CNS Student and Academic Affairs
103 Natural Science Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1115
Fax (517) 432-1054
You may also scan and email your application to roache@msu.edu.
DEADLINES: Applications for the CNS Undergraduate Research Support Program will be accepted until the 10th business day of the Fall and Spring semesters; awards will be made by the fourth week of the semester. Summer applications for are due April 1 and awards will be made before the start of summer semester.
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