Deadlines:

There is a rolling deadline for applications for the 2018-2019 academic year (no specific day/time.)

Note:

With this new monthly schedule for submitting applications, this will actually make it much easier for COPH students, as they can submit their applications when they are completely ready to initiate their research projects, and have already received an official letter of approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee or the Institutional Biosafety Committee. In essence, this monthly submission process allows for a simple, one step review process.

Award Amount:

This award will provide a maximum of $1,000 for master’s level special projects/theses, and a maximum of $1,500 for doctoral dissertation research studies.  Note: For students whose project will involve data collection (e.g. administration of a survey), please apply prior to collecting your data.  For students whose research will involve secondary data analysis, please apply prior to conducting the data analysis.

Award Administration:

The COPH Student Research Scholarship is administered as a competitive internal award within the COPH.  Students’ proposals will be reviewed by COPH Research Committee members.  Students applying for the COPH Student Research Scholarship are advised to prepare a well-written grant proposal, according to the guidelines in this web site and the downloadable application form.

Eligibility:

•  Students must be registered for their special project, thesis or dissertation for the semesters during which they will (a) receive the award and (b) conduct their research.
• Students must be enrolled for at least 2 credits in COPH courses which should include their special project, thesis or dissertation hours.
• Doctoral students must have successfully completed their doctoral dissertation proposal.
• If applicable, proof of application for approval from:  Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and/or Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Certifications required PRIOR to submitting your application:
  • Certification in Human Subjects Training (Also known as IRB training)
  • Live Vertebrate training (if applicable)
  • Biohazard training (if applicable)
    
    

‘Certifications’ required PRIOR to submitting your application:

Plan ahead! You must complete and be able to provide a copy of your certification with your application for:

• Certification in Human Subjects Training (Also known as IRB training)
• Live Vertebrate training (if applicable)
• Biohazard training (if applicable)

Helpful Hints:

• Students should adhere to the page and formatting limitations provided in the application form. 
• Students are advised to ask others to review their proposal (e.g. an academic or research advisor, or another student. Be sure to allow enough time to accommodate these reviews.) 
• This is a highly competitive process. Neatness and spelling are very important. 
• Revisions or additions will NOT be accepted after the due date. 
• Make sure all attachments are included. 
• Failure to disclose complete and accurate information may result in loss of the SRS award. 
• Signature form must be complete and delivered with the hard copies. 
• Questions? Feel free to contact Lisa Sleek at lsleek@usf.edu.

Step 1:  Students should download the application form for completion.  Be sure to complete all sections and answer all questions within the application.

Step 2: Submission of the Application

• Email a copy of the completed application with all signatures and supporting documentation (certifications, proof of submission for IRB, IACUC or IBC if applicable, proof of successful dissertation proposal defense) to lsleek@usf.edu.   Name your file as follows: Yourlastname-SRS. Please try to combine all information into one PDF file.  Subject line should read:  SRS Application
• Students can expect an email acknowledgement from Lisa Sleek confirming receipt of the application within approximately 2-3 business days.
  
  

Step 3: Lisa Sleek will forward the applications to COPH Research Committee members for review.

Step 4:  Fund distribution

Each student will be notified via e-mail by Lisa Sleek regarding the committee’s decision to fund or not fund their SRS application. Applicants who receive notification of the Research Scholarship Award must provide written documentation that their IRB, Vertebrate, or Biohazard applications have been granted by the university, prior to receiving their actual monetary student research scholarship award. The research scholarship award will be deposited directly into the student’s account if they have e-deposit through the University. Otherwise, a check will be issued to the student at the address listed in Banner.  If awardees are financial aid recipients, cash awards can only be distributed based upon their “unmet needs.” As the award is distributed through the University’s financial system, if there are any pending charges on an individual’s student account, the award will first be used to cover those charges, with any remaining funds distributed to the student as allowed by their unmet need

Students will be expected to submit:

• A brief update on use of funds and progress at 3 months, 6 months and if necessary, 9 months. 
• A final, typed research report (2-3 pages) upon completion of the research project and prior to graduation, should be submitted to lsleek@usf.edu to include collection of data and summary of report.  Subject line should read:  SRS research report
  
  

Following is a checklist which the review committee will use in reviewing each application.

• Application submission instructions were correctly followed
• Cover page is complete
• All signatures are in place
• Project summary, abstract, anticipated benefits and key words are completed
• Budget page is complete
• Biosketch is completed according to the NIH guidelines; click here.
• Research plan is complete and thorough
• Make sure all attachments (certifications; if applicable: proof of submission for IRB, IACUC or IBC) are included.
• The student has completed all required final reports for prior SRS and SHARP awards which he/she has received from the COPH.
  
  

For assistance/questions:  Please contact Lisa Sleek at lsleek@usf.edu or 813/974-2149 or your faculty mentor/major professor for questions.