Research Award Opportunities
The
Virginia Tech Chapter of Sigma Xi, with support from the Virginia Tech Office
of Research, gives awards to current undergraduate, master’s level, and doctoral
level students for the conduct of research. Recipients are selected on the
basis of their academic history, research accomplishments, a brief research
proposal, and a letter of support from the student’s research advisor or
mentor. All awardees must be full time students at the time of the award and
for the duration of the award period. For each recipient, a sponsored program
account will be established for the amount of the award, with the respective
mentor listed as the principal investigator. The award can be used for the
student’s tuition, research materials and related expenses, professional
travel, books, and other education and related expenses. Items purchased are
expected to follow University purchasing guidelines. Selections will be made by
the Awards Committee of the Virginia Tech Chapter of Sigma Xi. Awards issued in
2012 can be used during the period of May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013.
Please
note the selection criteria for awards have changed from previous years.
The three award categories are:
1. The Sigma Xi Award for Outstanding
Undergraduate Research
a. Candidates are expected to have
demonstrated academic excellence, as defined by a 3.0 or above Grade Point
Average.
b. Eligible candidates must be actively
conducting research during the award period and submit a 1-page statement
detailing the nature of the proposed research.
c. Recipients will receive a letter of the
award at the annual banquet of Sigma Xi. This letter will indicate the amount
of the award and information about access to the award monies. Usual amount of
the Undergraduate Research Award will be $1,000.
d. Recipients will also receive a
certificate noting their achievements, a one-year membership in the Society,
and a ticket to the annual banquet.
2. The Sigma Xi Graduate Award for
Master’s Degree Candidates
a. Candidates must have demonstrated above
average scholarship as students. A QCA of 3.3 or above is required. They must
also be pursuing a Master’s degree as a full time student.
b. Eligible candidates must be actively
conducting research during the award period and submit a 1-page statement
detailing the nature of the research project.
c. Recipients will receive a letter of the
award at the annual banquet of Sigma Xi. This letter will indicate the amount
of the award and information about access to the award monies. Usual amount of
the Master’s Level Research Award will be $1,500.
d. Recipients will also a certificate
outlining their achievement, a one-year membership in the Society, and a ticket
to the annual banquet.
3. The Sigma Xi Research Award for
Ph.D. Degree Candidates
a. Candidates are expected to have exhibited superior
academic scholarship and performance in coursework. A QCA of 3.6 or above is
required.
b. Eligible candidates must be actively
conducting research during the award period and submit a 1-page statement
detailing the nature of the research project.
c. Recipients will receive a letter of the
award at the annual banquet of Sigma Xi. This letter will indicate the amount
of the award and information about access to the award monies. Usual amount of
the Doctoral Level Research Award will be $2,000.
d. Recipients will also receive a
certificate outlining their accomplishments, a one-year membership in the Society,
and a ticket to the annual banquet.
All nominations should be
submitted using the following format. Nominations not following this format will be returned for revision if
time permits such revisions to be made. If time does not permit revisions to be
made, these nominations will be rejected. Nominations should be submitted
electronically.
VT
Sigma Xi Research Award Nomination
1. Name of candidate:
2. Type of Award:
3. Department:
4. QCA:
5. Projected date (mo/yr) of
graduation:
6. Major Professor/Advisor/Mentor:
7. A brief 1-2 page Resume/CV
8. Title of research proposal along
with a 1 page, single-spaced, abstract of the research
9. One page letter of
recommendation from Major Professor/Advisor/Mentor
Nominations for all awards are due Feb 28th, 2012. Send nominations to:
Dr.
Sarah Karpanty, Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
President,
VT Chapter of Sigma Xi
E-mail:
karpanty@vt.edu; Phone: 231-4586
Please
visit the Virginia Tech Sigma Xi website for more details about the Society: http://www.sigmaxi.org/chapters/web/index.php?chapter_id=139
