First recipient of the AHI Award, Blaine Shillington, an engineering major, with his faculty mentor, Dr. Cindy Knall in the WWAMI Biomedical Program.  Photo by Carol Jones.

These grants fund a significant undergraduate research project in biomedicine under the guidance of a faculty mentor.  Each grant funds up to $5000.00 in project costs, plus tuition for up to 6 credits of HNRS 497 (Individual Research) and a $1500.00 stipend awarded upon completion of the project. This award is sponsored by the University Honors College and co-sponsored by Alaska's Medical School, the WWAMI biomedical program.

Deadline:
Fall 2008:  5pm on Friday, October 3, 2008
Spring 2009:  5pm on Friday, February 6, 2009

Proposals should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship. 

Eligibility: Students must be accepted in an associate or baccalaureate degree program at the University of Alaska Anchorage (any campus) and must be enrolled in at least three credits each semester for the duration of the research (with the exception of the summer semester).  Students in all disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

Fall 2008 Proposal Guidelines

Research Proposal: The project should reflect an original idea that will extend knowledge in biomedicine. Your proposal should consist of the following:

1.  Alaska Heart Institute Fellows Program Cover Sheet – Include the project title, student’s name, and student’s signature. The faculty advisor’s name and signature should be included, certifying that they have reviewed the research proposal for content and that the student is capable of performing the research, and that the faculty member agrees to mentor the student for the duration of the
project and serve as the instructor of record for the HNRS 497 credits.

2. Abstract and Specific Aims (1 page) – A one paragraph summary of the project proposal, and a one paragraph summary of the project goals.

3. Introduction (1 page) – A review of the literature that supports the need for your research in biomedicine. The proposal should include (a) a statement of the research questions, problem and/or hypothesis; (b) a historical discussion of the impacts; and (c) a discussion of present understanding and/or state of knowledge concerning the question or problem.

4. Research Design (1 page) – The proposal should include a detailed description of how the research project will be completed including (a) a sampling protocol and/or design plan; (b) the methods and/or procedures to be used; (c) the data reduction and statistical analysis to be conducted or a description of the final form of the product.

5. Anticipated Results (1 page) – Provide the reviewers with a list of the results expected.  The results should include an interpretation and explanation of results as related to hypothesis tested. Also, applicants may want to discuss or suggest further work that may help address the identified problem.

6. Project Budget (allow one page for the budget and one page for budget justification) – Include the cost of supplies, equipment, and travel, and a brief justification for each item.

Please note the following:
a. The student stipend should not be included in the project budget.

b. Travel will be allowed only if it falls within the same academic year(s) as your research and there is a direct relationship between the research and the travel being proposed (e.g. for the purposes of conducting research, or to present results at a conference). Funding for travel to a conference will be granted only if the student is accepted to present at that conference and supporting documentation is included (e.g., letter of acceptance) in the proposal.

c. Expenses that will not be allowed include:

i. Compensation for the student’s time
ii. Tuition to get credit for the project
iii. Amounts for supplies or equipment that exceed reasonable and customary expenses

d. Equipment purchased with the grant will belong to UAA after the research is concluded.

e. Proposed expenses must be in accordance with UA Policy and Regulation, and funds must be expended as specified in the proposal.

f. For this reason, please be as accurate as possible in estimating your expenses. Do not over-inflate your budget; conversely, do not underestimate what your actual costs will be.

7. Project References (1 page) – Use the standard convention of discipline including the author, title of article, journal title, volume, pages, and date.

8. Project Timeline – Outline the anticipated dates of completion of various stages of the project. For example: When do you anticipate completing background research, fieldwork, lab work, budget expenditures, etc. Be sure to include in this timeline your presentation date at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, the expenditure deadline, and final written report deadline. 

9. Appendix (up to 3 pages) – Include your academic vitae and an unofficial copy of your undergraduate transcript.

Review Process:  The proposal is judged on its scientific strength and on its emphasis on advancing knowledge in biomedicine. The objectives and evaluation methods must be clearly defined. The proposal must be written by the student. The faculty mentor may review and provide advice on the writing of the proposal, but it must be clear that the student has written the proposal and understands the project.

The academic record, particularly in the sciences, will weigh heavily in the selection of the proposals. Preference will be given to students who are at least in their junior year.

Additional Requirements and Conditions:  A Final Report (2-3 pages) must be submitted to the UAA’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship when the project is completed. The Final Report (2-3 pages), should be written for a general audience and should summarize the student’s research activities, progress, findings, and conclusions. Awardees are required to present their results at UAA’s Undergraduate Research and Discovery Symposium held in April of each year. Additionally, awardees are required to meet and share their project findings and conclusions with members of the Alaska Heart Institute at the conclusion of the project.

Visit the Success Stories Website to view the proposals from the past winners. 

Download:
Alaska Heart Institute Fellowship Announcement
Alaska Heart Institute Fellowship Criteria
Alaska Heart Institute Coversheet

AHI award winner, Blaine Shillington, with his faculty mentor, Dr. Cindy Knall (WWAMI Biomedical Program).  Blaine, a mechanical engineering student, researched and built an In Vitro Smoke Exposure machine to assist with Dr. Knall's research. Photo by Carol Jones.