Student's Academic Success:

GPA, Extracurricular Activities, Leadership, etc.

Qualifications of the Mentor and Research Team (if applicable):

Clear plan for support, research history, experience in the field of proposal, contributions to undergraduate research.

Innovation/Originality:

Generates new ideas and/or applies existing ideas in a new context.

Significance of the Study:

Outcomes are clearly proposed and Impact is anticipated.

STEM – Addresses an area of importance to the discipline and shows potential to advance the science.

Non-STEM - Expands knowledge of best/creative practices in the field, increases creative output.

Appropriateness of the methodology:

STEM - Research design, Sampling approach, Data collection protocol/plan, Data analysis procedure/plan, Protection of human subjects and/or plan for seeking IRB approval.

Non-STEM – Preliminary Research showing selection and citation of primary and secondary sources, Hermeneutic framework, analytical approach is well defined or creative process and products are well planned/described.

Merit:

STEM - Utilizes established scientific principles, Demonstrates how scientific knowledge will be gained, Problem/topic being investigated is of value to the larger scientific community.

Non-STEM – Uses best practices and innovative approaches in the field, betters the understanding of the human experience, benefits and engages the fields community.

Other Criteria:

Reference Letters, plan for dissemination, appropriate budget, feasibility of completing the project in projected timeframe, cohesiveness and coherency, clarity of writing