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Stanley Undergraduate Awards for International Research 2010-2011

Funded in part by the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization

Deadline

February 24, 2010

The Stanley Undergraduate Awards for International Research are given annually to outstanding University of Iowa undergraduates in good academic standing for the pursuit of learning activities in international studies that are not available on the UI campus. Awards will be made to students who have, in close consultation with faculty members, developed well-conceived, small-scale research or fieldwork projects on international topics that require travel abroad.

Award Overview

Award stipends range from $1,000-3,000 depending on merit, and on travel and living costs associated with the research project. Recipients for Spring 2010 will be notified in late March 2010 and must use the award by May 2011.

Eligibility

  • The Stanley competition is open to all University of Iowa undergraduates.
  • Students may focus solely on their research project while abroad or combine the research with a structured study abroad program.
  • Applicants for 2010 are expected to spend a minimum of one month and in most cases, will not exceed three months in the field. Recipients must plan to return to the UI for at least one semester after the period abroad and before graduation.
  • No previous overseas experience is required.
  • Strong preference will be given to applicants proposing research in countries other than their own.
  • Stanley Awards may be used in conjunction with other scholarships.
  • Former Stanley Award recipients are ineligible to reapply.
  • Recipients must comply with IRB guidelines.

Application Process

See the Application Form and FAQ for details.

The selection committee is seeking proposals that:

  • provide adequate evidence of academic and linguistic (if applicable) preparation.
  • have clearly defined academic and personal objectives.
  • contribute to the student's overall academic program.
  • demonstrate the adequacy of the research or fieldwork design.
  • are well-written and complete.

Since IRB approval is important for ALL student research projects and must be obtained PRIOR to receiving funding,
**PLEASE SEE THE IRB INFORMATION PAGE**

Recipient Requirements

  • must submit a written report within six weeks of their return from conducting research abroad.
  • will be asked to present the results of their research to the university community and may be asked to participate in the Stanley Awards Open House.

Applications forms are also available from the International Programs Grants Office, 1111N UCC, tel. (319) 335-2823 or 335-0659, or the application/information packet can be downloaded from this page. The office is happy to offer guidance in preparing your application.

Please consider the environmental impact of your international travel.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to have experience in the language of the country I want to go to before I apply? Before I leave?

There is no official requirement within the Stanley Awards guidelines for language proficiency, although the application does ask for information about language study. Students should understand that communicating in the language of the chosen country for study or research is, at least in most cases, highly desirable, and often necessary for conducting the work. Rudimentary knowledge of the language is also a courtesy to the country’s people and often necessary for day-to-day survival.

When will the awards be made?

International Programs tries to inform applicants quickly concerning the results of the competition to enable them to make plans efficiently. We will make every effort to announce the results of the competition 3-5 weeks following the deadline for submission. This means that for the undergraduate student competitions, which have a submission deadline of February 2010, applicants should be notified in late March 2010.

How is the money disbursed?

When a student has a travel itinerary and definite dates for travel, he/she notifies the IP Grants Office by e-mail or letter and sends a copy of the receipt for travel, along with all required documents provided in the award packet. We will notify the UI Scholarship office to disburse the funds.  If you have a direct deposit set up through the Office of Financial Aid your award will be automatically deposited to your account, otherwise a check will be mailed to you. 

Do I have obligations as a Stanley Award recipient?

All recipients are required to file a report of the activities that were funded. The report must be filed within 6 weeks of the student’s return from abroad. In all instances, the report must be in the IP Grants Office no later than April 15 of the year following the awarding of the funds. (If you received an award in Spring 2009, you must file your report by April 15, 2010.) Failure to file a report may require you to return the funding. (If you are still abroad working on your project in April 2010, please notify our office so we can make arrangements for late submission of the report.)

All recipients are required to present the results of their research to the UI community in a class, seminar, or other appropriate venue. Opportunities for seminar presentations can take many forms; the International Programs Grants Office can provide information about options or in some instances can facilitate opportunities for presentations.  Recipients may also be asked to participate in the IP Student Funding Expo.