SAFS Capstone Project and Undergraduate Research Grant Proposal Format

This outline is the format in which all SAFS Capstone Proposals and SAFS Undergraduate Research Funding Requests should be designed.

Due Dates

Capstone Projects: Due to Faculty Sponsor and/or Worksite Supervisor by the Friday of the third week of the quarter in which the student is enrolled in Fish 494. Due to the SAFS Student Services Office by the Friday of Week Four. Needed entry codes for subsequent quarters will not be given without an approved proposal on file.

Undergraduate Research Funding Requests: Due to Student Services with all other required materials by 5pm on Friday of Week Two of the quarter for which funding is requested.

Format

  1. Title
  2. Abstract—A short, descriptive summary of the proposal to follow.
  3. Introduction (2 paragraphs max.)—What is the scientific context within which your project will be placed? Relate your proposed research to: (a) the existing state of knowledge, and (b) timely and interesting questions within the field/discipline.
  4. Question (one sentence each)—What in the general question your research will address? What is the specific hypothesis(es) you will be testing?
  5. Methods—How will your experiment or project be organized? What data will you collect and how? Once in hand, how will your data be organized, analyzed, and presented? Methods section should contain:

Data Collection (one paragraph)—Describe the methods, including a table of any equipment, supplies, transportation, etc., you will use to collect the data. Describe how these data address your question (the experimental design, if appropriate.) What is your sample size and why?

Data Organization and Analysis (one paragraph)—Describe what you plan to do with your data. How will you bring your data together into a coherent form? Describe statistical methods used, if appropriate.

  1. Products and Timeline—In bulleted or table format, list the specific product(s) you will produce (e.g. scientific paper, manual, website.) What is your proposed schedule for the data collection, data analysis, and completion of your product(s)? Be specific. Include a minimum of two meetings each quarter with your faculty sponsor and three meetings with your Worksite Supervisor. Make sure to pick a date toward the end of the quarter for an evaluation meeting.
  2. Signatures—Please use the following statement:
  3. "We have read and discussed the above proposal thoroughly and we believe this is an achievable yet challenging project for the student named. We have also discussed how the student will get any needed supplies, etc. for this project."
  4. Include typed names and lines for signatures, and dates for all parties involved (Student, Faculty Sponsor, and Worksite Supervisor, if appropriate.)