2008-2009 DHA Capstone Project Reimbursement - College of ...

2008-2009 DHA Capstone Project ReimbursementDHA Upper Division Honors Program in the College of DesignThe DHA Capstone Project Reimbursement Fund is available to seniors undertaking a capstoneproject leading to a degree with Latin honors and to encourage significant research and creativeprojects. Each application is considered on the merits of the project and the justification of thebudget. Ordinarily, a Capstone Project is funded up to $250. Final application deadline for 2008-09 is January 20, 2009.Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but it is in your best interests to submit yourapplication by the January 20 deadline. Applications will not be considered if the CapstoneProposal Form has not been submitted to and approved by the DHA Honors Program. Receiptsmust be submitted by April 1, 2009. If you receive a reimbursement, you will receive your awardby May 15, 2009.Eligibility. To be eligible you must be a senior in the DHA Honors Program completing acapstone project to satisfy degree requirements for graduation with Latin honors.Deadlines. Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis, you should submit yourapplication well in advance of beginning work and before you make expenditures.Amount Awarded. You may request reimbursements up to $250. However, be aware thatindividual students may not necessarily receive the maximum amount requested. Awards aregranted as reimbursements for expenses and you must submit receipts for your expenditures.Notification. The DHA Honors Program will notify you by e-mail if you will receive an award.You should not make expenditures in anticipation of an award.Use of Animal and Human Subjects in Research. If your capstone project involves humans oranimals, you must receive prior IRB approval for your project and provide proof of approval orexemption from these committees to receive funds. Please see the Research Subjects’ ProtectionProgram at: http://www.research.umn.edu/subjects/index.cfm for more information. They also canbe reached at (612) 626-5654.Application procedures. Successful applications should be legible, well organized, and writtenin clear, grammatical English. Follow the preparation instructions below and be sure yourapplication is complete by submitting all requested materials:• the application cover sheet, with your faculty adviser’s signature• an updated copy of your proposed project/timeline, submitted with the Capstone ProposalForm• an itemized budget sheet• a budget justification• a copy of the approval of the Research Subjects’ Protection Programs, if applicable

Application Proposal GuidelinesPlease answer the following questions and attach to the application cover sheet. Number yourresponses to correspond to each section.Section 1: Project Proposal and Timeline. Submit an updated copy of your project proposaland timeline that was attached to the Capstone Proposal Form.Section 2: Itemized Budget Sheet. Attach an itemized budget to this application. To prepareyour budget, list each of the reimbursable costs that you expect to incur in the project. Theestimated cost for each budget item and for the total estimated cost must be stated in dollaramounts. The rationale for particular expenses must be specific. If the reimbursement isawarded, you must submit receipts for these expenditures before payment.Travel. Long distance travel by plane, train, bus, or automobile to a site for purposes ofresearch is eligible, but local travel within the metropolitan area is not generally covered.You will need to use least costly method of transportation. See websitehttp://travel.umn.edu.Lodging. Hotel bills related to research in another city or state are allowed, but meals ortips for service are not. Per diem rates are determined from website: www.gsa.gov.Materials. Exhibit materials or other materials for creative projects will be considered.These materials may include special paper, videocassettes, film, rental of audiovisualequipment, fabric, or other materials approved by your capstone faculty adviser.Receipts are required indicating who, what, where, why, when.Research Subjects. Payment to research subjects (as can be demonstrated ascustomary in the department or program where the project is undertaken) is eligible.Preferred method of paying human subjects is by using gift cards. All information ofnames of participants is kept confidential in a locked file and must be maintained forauditing purposes for 3 years.Photocopying. Receipts are required indicating who, what, where, why, when.Computer costs. Computer costs not funded by the department may be eligible.Computer hardware, including home computers or modems, is not covered. Computerdisks, including CDs and Zip Disks, may be allowed if they are central to the project.Computer software is generally not covered. Receipts are required indicating who,what, where, why, when.Conference participation. Funding covers payment of expenses for attendance at aconference or meeting if a strong case can be made that this experience is central oressential to the completion of the project. Students may also be eligible for funding ifthey present their capstone work at a conference, including NCUR.Other expenses. Expense items such as telephone calls, postage, and literaturesearches are also eligible, but the relationship of these items to the project must be veryclear and documented on a receipt. Again, who, what, where, why, when.Section 3: Budget Justification. Each item on the budget sheet must be justified in narrativeform. Justification statements should answer these questions: Why is this specific amount ofmoney (no more and no less) crucial to the completion of the project? What would be the result ifthe application were not approved?Faculty Advisor Approval. Your capstone faculty adviser must approve the proposed budget bysigning in the designated space on the Capstone Project Reimbursement Fund Cover Sheet. It isimperative that your faculty advisor looks closely at the proposed budget and approves theexpenditures as necessary for completion of the capstone project.