Undergraduate Research is an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline. Undergraduate research is conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor and typically culminates in a poster or oral presentation and a comprehensive written report, essay or thesis.

Creative Scholarship is likewise conducted with a faculty mentor and typically culminates in a public performance, reading or exhibition. In many cases, a creative project will also result in a reflective or interpretive essay that explores the creative process and examines the sources of artistic inspiration.

Undergraduate research and creative scholarship has the potential to create a tremendous sense of empowerment, confidence and intellectual growth, especially for undergraduates who may never have had such an experience. Since people will continually encounter problems without established answers throughout their professional careers, the skills gained through participation in original research aimed at creating new knowledge will have long-lasting, beneficial consequences for students of all majors.

Research and Creative Scholarship Fund
The Research and Creative Scholarship Fund (RCSF) was established to fund student research, creative works, or travel to present/conduct such works. This fund is made available by ASUM (The Associate Students of the University of Montana), Experiential Learning and Career Success, the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, and the Office of the Provost. Students must be enrolled in at least 7 credits and be in good academic standing to apply for funding.

All interested students will need to visit the ASUM website for materials required for submission: www.umt.edu/asum/
Funding requests for projects will be available to undergraduate and graduate students for the purpose of:
1. Conducting a Research project related to any field
2. Producing an academic creative work. Must be related to an academic department on the UM Campus
3. Travel to: present a research/creative project, volunteer/intern, or participate in professional development

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED BY A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF TWELVE VOTING MEMBER, INCLUDING GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS.

All questions: asum.businessmgr@mso.umt.edu, 406-243-2704