Grants and Aid

The Biology Department provides financial support for student research and travel to scientific meetings. This support is made possible by the generous contributions of donors to the Biology Gift Fund.

Eligibility

  • Upper-division undergraduate or graduate students enrolled full-time at USF at the time of application and during the proposed period of research.
  • Minimum Science GPA 3.0

Maximum amount of support per year

$2,500

What is supported:

  • purchase of supplies, services (e.g., DNA sequencing, interlibrary loan) and minor equipment (up to $2,500) necessary for the conduct of research.
  • travel to and from research sites
  • travel to a scientific meeting, accompanied by a faculty member

Priority will be given to students who are presenting the results of their research as an oral or poster presentation.

What is not supported:

  • salary or stipends
  • items for which Faculty Development Fund support can be sought by the sponsor within a reasonable time to initiate the research

Application for research funds

The application (2 pages, maximum) should be typed, single spaced, on plain paper, and consist of the following numbered sections, along with a letter of support:

  • Specific goal(s) that you intend to accomplish with this funding.
  • Itemized budget, detailing all proposed expenditures.
  • Brief (1 paragraph) description of the research problem being investigated, including appropriate literature citations.
  • A statement of the scientific hypothesis being tested or question being addressed.
  • Description of materials and methods to be used to test the hypothesis or answer the question. Include a description of statistical analysis.

An attached letter of support from the sponsoring faculty member should explain the reason that the Faculty Development Fund cannot be used to support this project.

Application for funds to attend a scientific meeting.

Submission dates are open

  • A statement of your purpose for attending the meeting.
  • Itemized budget, detailing all proposed expenditures.
  • If presenting a paper, a copy of the abstract.

Review Process

The application will be reviewed and discussed at the next scheduled faculty meeting. Applicants will be notified in writing of the department’s decision.