NSF HBCU UP RIA Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Guidelines, Expectations, and Objectives

The NSF HBCU UP RIA Undergraduate Research Fellowship is designed to promote and support research endeavors of undergraduate students. This initiative strives to foster a research culture and enrich the academic experience by involving students in meaningful research projects.

Guidelines

  1. Eligibility
    • The award is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled in Tougaloo College.
    • Priority will be given to those in their sophomore or junior year with a strong academic standing.
  2. Application Process
    • Submission of a research proposal (max. 2 pages) detailing the aims, methodology, and expected outcomes of the research.
    • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member familiar with the student’s academic performance.
    • Updated academic transcript.
  3. Duration
    • The fellowship lasts for one academic year, starting from the award date.
  4. Funding
    • A stipend will be provided to the selected recipients, intended to cover research-related expenses and a modest honorarium for their efforts.

Expectations

  1. Commitment
    • Selected students should commit a predefined number of hours per week for their research project.
  2. Mentorship
    • Each awardee is expected to work under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
    • Regular meetings with the mentor are advised.
  3. Reporting
    • A midterm progress report and a final report, summarizing the findings and achievements during the fellowship period, must be submitted.
  4. Presentation
    • Recipients may be asked to present their research findings at an annual research symposium or a similar platform.
  5. Publication
    • Awardees are encouraged to aim for publication, whether in internal university journals, conferences, or external scholarly journals.

Objectives

  1. Skill Development
    • Enhance the student’s skills in research planning, data collection, analysis, and presentation.
  2. In-depth Understanding
    • Provide students an opportunity to delve deeply into a specific area of interest, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subject.
  3. Mentorship
    • Build a mentor-mentee relationship between faculty and students, facilitating academic growth and career guidance.
  4. Publication and Recognition
    • Foster an environment where student research is recognized, appreciated, and potentially published, boosting the academic profile of both the student and the institution.

All fellowship recipients must adhere to the institution’s code of conduct, academic integrity policies,