Supporting Research with Purpose
Travel and Impact Grants are awarded to undergraduates upon the completion of their research activities. These grants are designed to support students in sharing their findings in professional settings or in extending their work in ways that make a tangible contribution to their academic field, their communities, or society at large. At their core, they fund ‘impact’. These awards recognize that research should not only advance knowledge but also serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. Applicants are invited to reflect on how their research has contributed to their discipline, impacted their community, and shaped a vision for engaged learning in service of the greater good.
Funding Categories
- Travel: Costs associated with presenting research findings at conferences. For example, travel to and from conference, hotel, meals, and registration.
- Impact: Costs associated with translation or implementation of the research. For example, working with a community partner to implement an intervention that resulted from research findings.
Proposal Guidelines:
Your proposal must include the following sections. Use clear, concise language and organize your ideas logically. The final narrative should be around 3-5 pages, double-spaced, not including the references or budget. Use a common academic formatting standard used in your discipline, such as APA or MLA.
Use the following information to write your proposal in a Word document. After you have completed the proposal, review it with your faculty mentor before submitting your application.
Travel and Impact Grant Application
I. Title
Provide a clear, descriptive title that reflects the focus of your research or implementation project.
II. Project Summary (150–250 words)
Briefly summarize your project. Include the following based on your funding request:
- For Conference Travel:
- Name, location, and date of the meeting
- Type of presentation (poster, oral, exhibit)
- Main research question or hypothesis
- Brief overview of methods and results
- Significance of attending the meeting
- For Research Translation/Implementation:
- Research topic and purpose
- Main idea for translation or implementation
- Expected contribution or benefit to the community or field
III. Proposal Narrative
Provide a concise explanation of your project and its purpose.
- Background: Brief context for your research and how it led to this opportunity.
- Rationale: Why is this travel or implementation important now?
- Objectives: What will you present, implement, or explore?
Use in-text citations as needed and include full references in the “Literature Cited” section.
IV. Travel or Implementation Plan
- For Travel:
- Dates, location, and travel details
- Whether you are traveling alone or with others
- Any additional funding sources
- For Implementation:
- Description of your approach or methods
- Timeline of key activities
- Any required training (e.g., IRB, ethics, lab safety)
V. Contribution and Significance
Explain how your project contributes to your field, community, or the common good. Focus on the most relevant areas:
- Advancement of Knowledge: How will your project contribute to your field?
- Broader Impacts to the Common Good: consider these examples-
- Community Engagement: Will you work with or benefit a specific community?
- Public Health and Well-being: Could your work improve quality of life?
- Policy Relevance: Might your findings inform policy or decision-making?
- Economic Impact: Could your project support local businesses or job creation?
- Educational Value: Will your work improve teaching or learning?
VI. Your Role and Future Plans
Describe your specific responsibilities and how this project supports your academic or career goals.
VII. Literature Cited
List only the sources you directly reference. Use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
VIII. Budget
Follow Baylor University Guidelines for budget preparation.
Download and complete the
Include:
- Itemized list of expenses (supplies, services, travel)
- Vendor names and cost estimates
- Justification for each item
- Any overlapping or additional funding