MSVU Student Research Assistantships
During the Learning & Leading campaign, one priority identified by faculty was an endowment to be used for research. The Committee on Research & Publications has been asked to advise on the criteria for this endowment, which is now yielding monies to make possible an annual competition in support of faculty research. The conditions are outlined below.
The Committee on Research & Publications invites applications for one available research assistantship. These assistantships will be available to undergraduate students, full or part-time, to work under the supervision of a faculty member on a clearly defined research project. The faculty member must be eligible for funding under our policy for internal grants (consult our Policy for Internal Grant Applications).
This year, the Committee on Research & Publications will adjudicate applications for one (1) assistantship worth up to $1,945.00 (including benefits). The awarded funds are available for the period of April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The award must be completed by March 31, 2012. The intent of the assistantship is to enable a student to work directly with a faculty member on a research project of mutual interest. The emphasis on the training component for the student is a key criterion.
All disciplines are eligible for support. Therefore, the Committee is prepared to vet a variety of requests (e.g., literature review, archival work, questionnaire development, data collection, analyses, etc.). The budget is restricted to the hourly rate of pay and benefits for the student. Supervisors needing funds for other research items to complete the research project (e.g., paper supplies, tape recorders, telephone charges, etc.) are expected to provide these through their own internal grant applications or current grant accounts. The individual student does not need to have been identified at the time of application.
The format for the application is open-ended and eight (8) copies are required. The application is made by the faculty member who will supervise the student. The supervisor must submit his/her C.V and a cover letter containing a clear description of:
What the student will be doing;
How the student activity fits with/arises from the faculty member's research;
How the activity will benefit the student's own training;
A budget justification with how long it will take to achieve the objectives of the assistantship and the rate of pay (approximately $9-14/hr, plus 11.5% benefits, dependent upon qualifications);
A statement of how the supervisor will evaluate the success of the assistantship when complete. The Committee expects that the supervisor will provide this evaluation to the Research Office within one month of completion. As well, the student is expected to provide the Research Office with a one or two page summary of his/her accomplishments/training while holding the assistantship. This summary must be submitted no later than April 30, 2012.
Deadline: February 28, 2011 (4 P.M.)
Please submit eight copies to the Research Office, Evar. 231