Research Funding for Summer Project

[Poopsicle]

Hi, I'm new to the forum, although I do browse the topics when I need homework help.

I have a question about research. I'm going to be working with one of my professors in the summer but she is new to the school and does not have much funding at the moment. Although she told me I would definitely be working over the summer and that she could pay me, it would be difficult to pay me full time unless I could get something to support her funding. She said there's things like scholarships but I'm not exactly sure what kind of scholarship I would have to get in this case. Usually a scholarship would be almost as if I'm the one getting funding. Any ideas so that I can help my professor pay me full time in the summer ?

 

[Choppy]

One option might be to head down to your school's financial aid office and talk to the people there about any possible awards or scholarships that you might qualify for. I worked for one summer supported by an award from the faculty of science that I had to apply for, and this is likely the type of award this professor is referring to.

Something else to keep in mind is that sometimes faculties will agree to support students doing research work provided they can demonstate that they have applied for external funding and been denied - so sometimes those rejection letters can be valuable.

 

[Ryker]

There could also be programs at your university intended just for that, to support students working on campus. Where I'm at we have a program like this for international students, and they encourage campus employers (ie. professors, departments) to hire said students by reimbursing them a certain amount of the salary. I don't know whether there is something similar for home students, as well, but I'd imagine if there isn't it's because there are so many other avenues where they can get money to support their research (if you're in Canada, you have NSERC, for example).

 

[Poopsicle]

Thanks for the responses guys. I went to the Financial Aid office about an hour ago and they only have work study available. I guess I'll just apply to that then.

 

[Matrix0]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Research funding can be a challenging aspect of any project, especially for new professors who are still building their resources. In this case, there are a few options you and your professor could explore to secure funding for your summer project.

Firstly, you could look into grants specifically designed for undergraduate research projects. These grants are often offered by organizations or institutions that support scientific research and can provide financial support for your project. Your professor could also reach out to other faculty members or researchers at your school to see if they have any suggestions or connections for funding opportunities.

Another option could be to apply for a scholarship or fellowship that supports undergraduate research. These can often be found through your school's financial aid office or through external organizations. It may require some additional effort on your part to apply for these opportunities, but it could be worth it to secure full-time funding for your summer project.

Additionally, your professor could consider reaching out to industry partners or potential collaborators to see if they would be interested in supporting the project. Many companies have funding allocated for research and development, and your project could be a potential opportunity for them to invest in.

Overall, it will likely require some creativity and persistence to secure funding for your summer project, but with some effort and determination, it is definitely possible. Best of luck to you and your professor in finding the necessary resources to support your research!