Provost Undergraduate Research Initiative

The College of Social Science announces the SSC-Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative Program (SSC-PURI), which supports undergraduate research through awards of up to $1,500 for summer semester for students majoring in our College.

The SSC-PURI provides talented undergraduates, from first-year students to seniors, with an opportunity to work closely with faculty on substantial research projects—usually, but not exclusively, as part of the faculty member’s own scholarly project.

Student researchers have usually worked either one-on-one with a faculty member or as members of a research team involving faculty and graduate students. Both models are acceptable, but the maximum size of an undergraduate group working with a faculty member as part of a summer PURI award is two (2) students. If you have a second student, please submit a second form.

Proposals are due on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Decisions will be announced by Monday, March 10, 2025.

Please use the Program Guidelines to aid in filling out the application.

Note: The Faculty Sponsor(s), will need to sign the application prior to submitting this application online. Faculty Sponsor(s) are responsible to consult with their Chair/Director about matching PURI funds of $750 per student.

Faculty Research Sponsor*

Faculty Sponsor Email*

Faculty Dept/School*

Name of Project*

Other Funding*

Undergraduate Student Researcher:

This is my only student researcher.This is 1 of 2 student researchers.This is 2 of 2 student researchers.I do not have a student researcher at this time.I do not have two student researchers at this time.

If you do not have a specific student researcher at the time of your application, please indicate "TBD" under "Name of Student Researcher", "PID", "Student MSU Email", and "Major". You cannot leave these fields blank.

Name of Student Researcher*

First and Last Name

PID*

MSU Student ID#

Student MSU Email*

Major*

Student must be a primary or secondary major in the College of Social Science to be eligible

I have consulted my Chair/Director for approval of unit matching funds of $750 per student.*

YesNo, I have noted the funding situation in the Abstract

Chair/Director Email*

example@example.com

I have notified my unit fiscal officer of my PURI application and submitted my budget proposal to them.*

YesNo, but I understand that I am responsible for providing my budget proposal to my fiscal officer prior to receiving an award, if granted.

Unit Fiscal Office Email*

example@example.com

Please note that students will receive their funds via stipend. This requires them to complete hiring paperwork. If your project is approved, it is the faculty mentor's responsibility to ensure their students complete the paperwork in a timely manner and ensure timesheets are submitted for their work.

Please include with your application:

1. ABSTRACT - A statement about the research project, its stage in development, and the specific research tasks to be assigned to each undergraduate researcher(s). This statement must include the beginning and end date of the student's involvement in the project and a description of the final research product to be delivered by the student.*

Upload a File

2. OUTCOMES - A statement of student learning outcomes and how those outcomes will be assessed by the faculty mentor (see Information Sheet for Guidelines).*

Upload a File

3. BUDGET PROPOSAL - A budget that states precisely how the funds will be spent, including the number of terms the student will be engaged in the project (see Information Sheet for Guidelines).*

Upload a File

Reminder for Faculty Sponsors and Student Researchers: Submission of a nomination gives the selection committee permission to review academic and financial aid records.

Reminder for Faculty Sponsors and Student Researchers: Submission of a nomination gives the selection committee permission to review academic and financial aid records.

By signing this application, I am stating that I have read and agreed to the requirements listed below:

I will complete required Responsible Conduct for Research modules. The Undergraduate Research Office will coordinate this requirement through email.
I will track PURI experiences in the Spartan Experience Record using the My Spartan Story platform in collaboration with my research mentor and their team.
I will present either a paper or a poster at the annual 2025 MID-SURE event on July 23, 2025 or at the 2026 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF).
I will complete a final report describing my PURI experiences by the end of the summer semester in August 15, 2025.

Signature of Student

Reminder for Faculty Sponsors and Student Researchers: Submission of a nomination gives the selection committee permission to review academic and financial aid records.

By signing this application, I am stating that I have read and agreed to the requirements listed below:

I will ensure that my student(s) work with my unit fiscal officer so they complete the hiring paperwork in a timely manner. I will follow up with my student(s) to ensure that they are submitting their timesheets and the funds are being distributed accordingly. If my student is unable to complete the project, I will notify my fiscal officer so that payment can be halted and funds returned to the college.
I will ensure that my student(s) complete required Responsible Conduct for Research modules. The Undergraduate Research Office will coordinate this requirement through email.
I will ensure that my student(s) track PURI experiences in the Spartan Experience Record using the My Spartan Story platform in collaboration with me and my team.
I will assist my student so they can present either a paper or a poster at the annual 2024 MID-SURE event on July 23, 2025 or at the 2026 University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF).
I will complete a final report describing my PURI research project combined with my student(s)' and budget report by the end of the summer semester in August 15, 2025.

Signature of Faculty Sponsor

Check box if form is complete. Make sure all signatures are complete BEFORE hitting submit:

Faculty Sponsor Approves; all signatures obtained.Faculty Sponsor Approves; Student Research TBD.

Provost's Undergraduate Research Initiative (Summer)