Student Research Enhancement Program

Science students may apply for awards from Asprey CCAS Student Research Enhancement (SRE) program to “expand their research experiences”. For example, awards may be for independent research at Vassar (including extending an URSI project into the academic year), working in labs of collaborators at other institutions, or presenting research at a regional or national meeting. Priority will be given to projects that extend beyond one semester or summer, to projects that increase the likelihood of fruitful completion and ultimately publication, to projects that expose students to new research environments or new opportunities to do science, and to projects that involve interdisciplinary interactions. Most previous awards have been reimbursement of travel expenses for presenting research at meetings.

A brief post-activity report on how the award helped the student’s development as a scientist is required. Additionally, grant recipients are required to present their research and/or report on the influence of the research experience (whether research endeavor or presentation of research at a meeting) at a campus forum at the end of the academic year. Requests for awards may be made at any time. Students may apply more than once, although priority will be given to students who are first-time applicants. Activities must occur and awarded funds must be used before June 30 of the academic year in which the grant was awarded. Awards are capped at $750. Other sources of support, such as the Dean of Studies Academic Enrichment Fund, exist for students who might have more expensive requests.

Direct questions to Asprey CCAS Director Joseph Tanski (jotanski@vassar.edu).
To apply for support through this program Students should submit the application form below.

Student Application for funding through ACCAS

  • An email message requesting a letter of endorsement will be automatically sent to the faculty sponsor.
  • Describe your request and how it fits within your overall project and related academic work in the sciences. If requesting conference travel funding, describe when and where and the nature of your presentation and participation. Describe what you will present (just include your conference abstract).
    0 of 3000 max characters
  • Detail and itemize the budget, making clear how you plan to use the funds. For conference travel, include actual projected costs of registration, hotel, travel etc. Driving your own car can be reimbursed at 0.625 $/mi; determine mileage with Google maps. Meals may be reimbursed up to $59/day. If funds have been requested or received from other sources, please specify. (We recommend coming to the Asprey CCAS before seeking other sources of funding if the project meets the criteria of the Fund.)
  • If human participants are involved in research, please upload documentation of approval or exemption by Vassar’s IRB.
    Drop files here or
    Max. file size: 32 MB.