Students provide research panel
Lamar University’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) will host a panel discussion on the ins and outs of preparing research grant proposals on Thursday, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the sixth floor of the Mary and John Gray Library.
The student-led panel will include alumni and current students who will share their research experiences and explain the procedure of acquiring a research grant.
LU undergraduate students are invited to submit proposals in the 3rd Annual Undergraduate Grant Competition. The competition is sponsored by OUR and is designed to support students in their research and creative activity. Up to 15 student proposals may be funded in the competition, with each awarded a stipend of $500 and up to $1,000 for research support, said Kumer Pial Das, associate professor and director of the OUR.
“The panel is for the students, by the students,” Das said. “Students who have done research last year or the year before will share their experiences, such as how to think about and write the proposal, how to lay out the costs, the timeline and the abstract—because everything counts.”
There will be question and answer time after the panel discussion to give attendees ample opportunity to understand the process from students who have completed it. The panel will also serve as a way for students to find resources on research in general, Das said.
“If these students listen to those who have received a grant already, they may be able to submit a much better proposal,” Das said.
This event is open to students of all majors who wish to gain more knowledge about research grants and the Office of Undergraduate Research, whether they plan to submit a research proposal this fall or are simply curious.
Grant proposals are due on Sept. 30. Guidelines and applications can be found at https://www.lamar.edu/undergraduate-research. For additional information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at (409) 880-8430, or email antionette.henry@lamar.edu.