Biology Muehrcke Award Guidelines | Department of Biology

Muehrcke Award Description

The Muehrcke Award will fund:

One Graduate Award between $3,000 and $5,000 and

One Undergraduate Award between $1,500 and $2,500

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

An undergraduate student with a research mentor in the Biology department who will complete a Biology Degree program within 1-2 years.
A graduate student with an advisor in the Biology department in year 1-2 of their graduate studies.
Must be enrolled in one of the above programs during the award period.
Submit a written research proposal describing the significance of the proposed work.
Demonstrate scientific merit and financial need for the award in the research proposal. This requires a clear, detailed budget.

Award Limitations:

Award can be used for research materials or field activities.
Students may apply for both the Undergraduate/Graduate Research Awards and the Muehrcke Award. Separate applications are required.
The award cannot be used for travel to, or attendance at, professional conferences or educational trainings.
No limitations to the topic of study, as long as it is Biology focused.
Students must complete spending the funds within the one-year period or prior to graduating, whichever comes first.

Muehrcke Award - Guidelines for Graduate Student Proposals

The Muehrcke Award may be used for any graduate student-centered activity judged by the Budget Committee to be professionally appropriate. Such uses include, but are not limited to: research supplies, research materials, and research-related travel and lodging. Not intended to cover conference travel or publication fees.

Eligibility: All full-time graduate students with an advisor in the Department of Biology in their first or second years are eligible to apply for Muehrcke Awards. All proposals must be accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member in the Department of Biology.

Format: Complete proposals must include:

a title, name, and email address for the principal investigator (the applicant)
a project narrative
a timetable
a budget (between $3,000 and $5,000)
any other associated appendices such as progress reports, IACUC protocols, and support letters from faculty advisor (see below)

Narratives for proposals seeking to support research must describe the research rationale, the materials and methods required, and the expected outcomes or deliverables. The narrative portion of the proposal must not exceed four (4) single-spaced pages, in a 10 point font, excluding literature cited. A timetable, a detailed budget, and a current curriculum vitae (CV) for the principal investigator must be attached as an appendix to the proposal. The timetable must describe how the award will be spent within the year it is awarded or prior to graduation. Budget items must include annotations (or hyperlinks) demonstrating that the projected costs are justified. If the proposal is to support research in progress that previously received Department or University support, the applicant(s) must include an additional appendix describing the accomplishments to date and explain the need for additional support. If IACUC approval is needed, the applicant should document submission or approval of an IACUC protocol. A support letter from a sponsoring faculty advisor in the Department of Biology must be attached as an additional appendix.

Award Evaluation: Muehrcke Award proposals shall be evaluated by the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee will judge each proposal on its significance, clarity of presentation, methodology and planning, and budget justification. The Budget Committee will provide a recommendation for funding to the Department within three (3) weeks of the proposal due date. The Budget Committee Chair will notify applicants of funding decisions after the Budget Committee's recommendation has been voted on by the Department.

Application Deadlines: Applications must be submitted as a single electronic file to biologygrants@nmu.edu. The proposal application deadline is at the close of business (5pm) on March 15. In the event this date falls on a weekend or a campus holiday, applications will be due at the close of business (5pm) on the next business day.

Limit on Awards: No principal investigator may receive more than $5,000 during a single academic year (fall semester, winter semester, and spring and summer sessions). Full award amount must be spent within one year and prior to graduating.

Distribution of Funds: Money will not be distributed from the Muehrcke Award unless the Budget Committee has made a positive recommendation for funding that was approved by the department. The Department of Biology Office will handle the allocation, distribution, reimbursement, and accounting of Award monies.

Muehrcke Award - Guidelines for Undergraduate Student Proposals

The Muehrcke Award may be used for any undergraduate student-centered activity judged by the Budget Committee to be professionally appropriate. Such uses include, but are not limited to: research supplies, research materials, and research-related travel and lodging. Not intended to cover conference travel or publication fees.

Eligibility: All full-time undergraduate students with a research mentor in the Department of Biology and within 1-2 years of completing their degree are eligible to apply for Muehrcke Awards. All proposals must be accompanied by a letter of support from a faculty member in the Department of Biology.

Format: Complete proposals must include:

a title, name, and email address for the principal investigator (the applicant)
a project narrative
a timetable
a budget (between $1,500 and $2,500)
any other associated appendices such as progress reports, IACUC protocols, and support letters from a faculty mentor in the Department of Biology (see below)

Narratives for proposals seeking to support research must describe the research rationale, the materials and methods required, and the expected outcomes or deliverables. The narrative portion of the proposal must not exceed four (4) single-spaced pages, in a 10 point font, excluding literature cited. A timetable, a detailed budget, and a current curriculum vitae (CV) for the principal investigator must be attached as an appendix to the proposal. The timetable must describe how the award will be spent within the year it is awarded or prior to graduation. Budget items must include annotations (or hyperlinks) demonstrating that the projected costs are justified. If the proposal is to support research in progress that previously received Department or University support, the applicant(s) must include an additional appendix describing the accomplishments to date and explain the need for additional support. If IACUC approval is needed, the applicant should document submission or approval of an IACUC protocol. Support letters from a sponsoring faculty mentor in the Department of Biology must be attached as an additional appendix.

Limit on Awards: No principal investigator (applicant) may receive more than $2,500 during a single academic year (fall semester, winter semester, and spring and summer sessions). Full award amount must be spent within one year and prior to graduating.