Smithsonian
Institution
National Museum of Natural History
Research
Training Program
Schedule
of Events
Item
Due
Guidelines
for Research Project Proposals
2006
Location:
Academic Resources Center
- ARC
NHB, Main Building, Ground Floor, Room 60A
Due:
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
The
purpose of the Research Training Program Project
Proposal is to provide students insight into the
research process, which usually begins by defining
the topic and, where appropriate, requesting funding
to support the research activities.
I.
General Information
The research process is often driven by grants
and awards to support specific initiatives. This
generally includes providing an accurate description
of the proposed research topic including the hypothesis
to be tested, the methods and procedures planned,
the staff and facilities involved, and, when appropriate,
the budget required to carry out the proposed
research.
Project proposals are required for each student/advisor
team participating in the 2006 Research Training
Program. Proposals prepared by students will be
reviewed by advisors to ensure that students understand
the research topic and project focus, to confirm
that staff and facilities have been informed of
their involvement, and to assess if a realistic
timetable has been established.
II.
Timetable
7 June 2006 - Proposals due.
III. Submission Procedure
Format: Proposals
should be submitted via e-mail AND a paper copy
provided. Paper copies should be 1-2 single-spaced
pages and must include the Project Proposal Cover
Form, to be used as the cover sheet with the appropriate
spaces filled in and bearing the approval signature
of the research advisor.
Narrative:
The description should not exceed two pages and
must include:
*
Project summary - A short paragraph summarizing
the project.
*
Project description - This narrative description
is a concise statement about the work to be undertaken
and is the basis for the technical merit of the
proposal. It should contain a description of the
research to be conducted and the planned activities
including complementary options.
*
Materials and Methods - Special techniques, equipment,
and supplies should be summarized.
*
Staff and Research Facilities - The names of key
staff participating in the project and the anticipated
use of special facilities (e.g. LMS, SEM lab)
should be listed.
*
Timetable - The time table should include the
exact dates of any proposed travel to off-site
locations, such as travel to participate in a
scientific meeting or field studies, and anticipated
time frame (e.g. spring 2007) of research publication
or presentation, if appropriate.
IV.
Additional Information
V. Responsibility if granted funding for enrichment
activities
If granted funds for enrichment activities, students
are expected to provide a summary of the activity
(e.g. attend meeting, join field work) as well
as assume the major responsibility to ensure that
all obligations are met including final vouchers
and reporting.
Deadline
for proposal submission/receipt is BEFORE 4:00
p.m. Wednesday, 7 June 2006.
Smithsonian
Institution
National Museum of Natural History
Project
Proposal Cover Form
In
addition to providing a paper copy, please submit
this information as part of the text of an e-mail
message to Mary Sangrey. Title the e-mail "project
proposal"
Date:
Project
Title:
Project
Hypothesis:
RTP Student Name:
NMNH room no.:
NMNH Telephone no.:
Mail Stop:
List
any anticipated dates away from the NMNH during
the RTP session:
Research Advisor Name:
NMNH room no.:
NMNH Telephone no.:
Mail Stop:
List
any anticipated dates away from the NMNH during
the RTP session:
Please
send via e-mail a concise statement targeting
a general audience describing the research focus.
Title the e-mail "First Project Summary"
and include the description in the body of the
message - NOT as an attachment.
Advisor
signature of approval:
Deliver
to the ARC.
Receipt must be BEFORE 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, 7
June 2006.
