Research
Undergraduate Research can begin as early as your freshman year. Students that begin undergraduate research before their senior year are likely eligible for the Distinction in Undergraduate Chemistry Research Program, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments in undergraduate research. These activities are funded by entrepreneurial activities of the faculty and alumni donations. Most of our faculty are actively involved with our undergraduate majors as both classroom and research teachers.
Undergraduate Research
During the past several years, numerous presentations have been made by undergraduates at national and regional meetings of the American Chemical Society, the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Academy of Sciences. Regional and national meetings take place in cities like Orlando, Salt Lake City, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego, and Anaheim, to name a few. Significant funding for their expenses has been provided by the University.
Two emeritus faculty members from the Chemistry Department have created an endowment award called the Swindell/Jackson Award (see section below), which provides summer pay for undergraduate research.
The department has also created a Student Research Grant (see section below) competition that allows both undergraduates and graduate students to write and submit a research proposal, fund their research project, and write a final report. Those students that successfully complete the requirements of the award are often selected for a Student Research Award which is presented at our annual spring banquet.
The Eugene A. Kline and Ruth A. Kline Undergraduate Chemistry Endowment (see section below) is another award that supports basic research in order to help students develop essential skills in better preparing for a variety of careers.
For more information, visit the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Research & Economic Development Undergraduate and Graduate Research Programs and Funding web page. This page includes information about NSF, URECA! and REU funding.
Why should I begin research as an undergraduate?
It is becoming increasingly more important for you to carry out undergraduate research. Many graduate and professional schools expect you to have some form of undergraduate capstone research experience before they will consider accepting you into their programs. Other reasons for conducting undergraduate research include:
- Academic credit1
- Professional development
- Refined career development
- The potential for publications in referred journal
- Travel to professional meetings to present research results
- Further development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills
- Exposure to laboratory techniques, instrumentation and scientific literature
- Development of communication skills
- For the fun of it!
1For academic credit, students can register for CHEM 4991, 4992 or 4993 for 1, 2 or 3 hrs credit, respectively. Each credit hour is a three-hour weekly commitment to working on a project in a chemistry faculty research mentors laboratory – prior mentor approval required (see your mentor, or go to the chemistry office for the required form). For any chemistry degree (including biochemistry), only a total of 4 hrs can count towards your degree; however, more than four hours can be taken for academic credit. This form should be completed in advance of the last day to register for classes.
How do I begin?
- Explore the chemistry faculty profiles on our website and read about each one's background and research areas.
- Contact those faculty members who have research interests that are similar to yours and request a time when you can meet with them.
- Select a research professor who has indicated that he/she is interested/willing to work with you, and inform them of your decision.
- Discuss your research options and scheduling needs with the professor.
What options are available?
- On-site research during the academic year and/or summer with a ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech faculty research mentor.
- Off-site research at .
- Off-site research at a .
- Off-site research at one of many summer programs (Research Experiences for Undergraduates).
- Off-site research at
Student Research Grant
The Student Research Grant program was established during the Fall 2009 semester to stimulate student research in the Department of Chemistry at ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech.
Students may apply for a Student Research Grant by writing a small research proposal and submitting it for potential funding. If the student's proposal is accepted, they will then conduct the research and write a final report. Successful completion of all of the above makes a student eligible for a Student Research Award, presented at our annual Chemistry Awards Banquet.
Student Research Grants are managed by the Student Research Committee. The committee evaluates student written proposals and recommends the most competitive applications for funding based on scientific merit, overall quality, and proposed budget.
Program Overview
The ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Student Research Grant Committee invites students to submit original research proposals for competitive funding. This program supports undergraduate and graduate student researchers in the Chemistry Department, enabling them to advance scientific knowledge and develop research skills. There are two application cycles each year: Spring and Fall.
Eligibility:
· Undergraduate students (any level), first- or second-year M.S. students, and first- or second-year EVS Ph.D. students actively conducting primary research in the Chemistry Department.
· Currently enrolled at ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech University.
· Supported by a faculty mentor who is willing to supervise the proposed project.
· Have not received SRG funding within the previous two academic years..
Application Deadline(s):
The next SRG deadline is Monday, October 20, 2025 before 12:00 a.m. CST. The completed application package should be submitted electronically as a single PDF file via email to Dr. Ranil Gurusinghe (rgurusinghe@tntech.edu). You may use the copier in the chemistry department office (LSC 1104) to scan your file(s). Applications submitted late or incomplete will not be considered.
Proposal Requirements:
· Maximum Length: 6 pages (excluding references and budget)
· Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
· Spacing: Double-spaced
· Margins: 1 inch on all sides
· File Format: Single PDF document
Required Sections:
1. Description of Project
2. Scientific Merit & Impact
3. Research Plan
4. Resources & Facilities
5. Dissemination of Results
6. References
7. Budget and Justification
Proposals without all seven sections will be returned without review.
Evaluation Criteria:
1. Description of Project
A strong proposal clearly defines the research problem and grounds it in existing
knowledge.
· Problem Statement: Is the research question or activity articulated with precision and clarity?
· Justification: Does the proposal provide compelling reasons why this work is necessary?
2. Scientific Merit & Impact
Evaluate both the intellectual contribution to the discipline and broader benefits.
· Intellectual Merit: Does the project promise innovation or novel insight within its field?
· Broader Impact: Does the project promise to generate novel insights, refine existing methodologies, and establish a foundation for future investigations within the discipline?
· Alignment with University Mission: How well does the research further ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech’s vision for scientific excellence and student development?
3. Research Plan
A feasible, well-organized plan.
· Methodology: Are experimental designs, data-collection methods, and analysis approaches fully described and appropriate?
· Management Plan: Is there a clear, step-by-step timeline with milestones and deliverables?
· Compliance: If human subjects or minors are involved, is an IRB approval strategy addressed?
· Student Engagement: Does the plan incorporate meaningful roles for the student applicant (e.g., training, hands-on research, data analysis)?
4. Resources & Facilities
Adequate resources ensure project success.
· Laboratory Equipment: Are essential instruments and materials available and accessible?
· Facilities: Does the department provide necessary space, safety equipment, and technical support?
· Mentor Support: Is the faculty mentor’s commitment of resources and expertise clearly documented?
· Collaborative Resources: If collaborating with other labs or centers, are those arrangements justified and feasible?
5. Dissemination of Results
Effective dissemination maximizes impact.
· Publication Plan: Identification of target journals or conferences for sharing findings.
· Presentation Strategy: Commitment to present at ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Research and Creative Inquiry Day, departmental seminars, or professional meetings.
6. References
· Must include a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed sources.
· All citations are formatted correctly in ACS style.
7. Budget & Justification
A realistic budget aligned with research needs.
· Itemized Budget: Are all expenses clearly listed?
· Justification: Is each cost reasonable, necessary, and directly supporting project
objectives?
Allowable Costs:
· Materials & Supplies: Consumables and minor equipment directly required for research
· Field Travel: Essential fieldwork transportation, lodging, mileage, per diem (all field travel must conclude before project end)
· All other expenses, including conference travel, student salaries or benefits, major equipment purchases, tuition, and publication costs, are not allowed.
Application Process and Timeline:
1. Call for Proposals: Issued each Spring and Fall semesters with a deadline; late submissions are not considered.
2. Pre-Application Consultation: Meet with the faculty mentor to discuss the project.
3. Proposal Preparation: Develop narrative and supporting documents following these guidelines.
4. Faculty Endorsement: The faculty mentor provides a consent letter.
5. Submission: Single PDF (seven-section narrative + mentor consent letter) emailed to the chair of the SRG committee by deadline.
6. Review Process: The committee, consisting of four chemistry department faculty members, evaluates proposals using the seven-section criteria.
7. Notification: Chair of the SRG committee notifies applicants within 2–4 weeks of the decision.
Period of Performance and Funding Conditions:
· Duration: One year from the award date; all funds must be expended within this period.
· No Indirect Costs: IDC must not be budgeted.
· No Carry-Over: Unexpended funds after one year are forfeited.
· Continued Activity: Award recipients are encouraged to pursue ongoing scholarly work beyond the duration of the funded period.
Compliance Requirements
· Human Subjects/Animal Care: Awards contingent on IRB or IACUC approval for projects involving human participants or animals.
· Safety Training: Complete required laboratory safety training before project start.
Reporting and Dissemination:
· Final Deliverable: Submission of a final report, presentation (poster or slide talk with published abstract), or peer-reviewed publication within one year of award.
· Presentation: Share findings at the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Research and Creative Inquiry Day.
Contact Information
For questions, contact Dr. Ranil Gurusinghe, SRG Committee Chair, at rgurusinghe@tntech.edu.
To download or print the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Student Research Grant(SRG) Faculty Mentor Consent Letter, click here.
Eugene A. Kline and Ruth A. Kline Undergraduate Chemistry Endowment
This research scholarship supports basic research in order to help students develop essential skills in better preparing for a variety of careers. It was started as a result of the appreciation for the good relationship the Klines had with the students, faculty, administrators, and staff on campus and in the community. It is also in honor of their many students who worked hard to succeed.
Eugene A. Kline started at ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Technological University in 1973 as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry. He became advisor to the Chemical Medical Sciences Club in early 1974. He became the chairman of the department’s scholarship committee in the mid-1980’s and became a health professional advisor in 1990. Ruth Ann Kline taught at ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Technological campus school from 1974 until it closed. She went to teach at Northeast Elementary until 1997 when she retired with a total of 34 years of teaching in several states. The Kline’s daughter, Natalie, was graduated from the University and went to pharmacy school.
The current award is for $3,500 which includes a stipend of $2450 ($1225 Fall; $1225 Spring) for the student, $525 for chemicals and supplies, and $525 for instrument purchase/maintenance to support the applicant’s research experience during the fall and spring semesters.
The next submission deadline for this endowment is October 15, 2023 before 12:00 a.m. CST.
Eligibility:
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Must be a current undergraduate student in good standing with current institutional policies.
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Must be a chemistry major who may have a strong interest in a career in a health science.
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Must be selected on the basis of merit of an original research proposal.
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Must be sponsored by a member of the research faculty in the Department of Chemistry.
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Must have completed 8 semester hours of organic chemistry (CHEM 3010 and 3020 or equivalent). The scholarship may be offered in the spring, pending successful completion of both courses by the following fall or before using the scholarship funds.
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Must choose a professor who is willing to oversee the student’s work in his or her lab.
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Must provide progress reports as requested by the Chemistry Department Research Committee.
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Must provide a final written report. The report will cover the progress made toward the research proposal. If the student does not reach the final proposal, the report should include an explanation of why.
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The scholarship may be renewed if the current recipient receives a satisfactory progress report on research conducted in previous years.
Application Process:
To Apply you will need:
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A ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech scholarship application for the upcoming year on ScholarWeb must have been submitted (the deadline is usually December 15th of the previous academic year)
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An original research proposal written according to the requirements for the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Student Research Grant Program
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A one-page essay discussing the applicant’s educational and professional aspirations
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Financial budget for the proposed research (estimates for student stipend, supplies, chemicals and instrument maintenance
All completed applications should be forwarded as a single PDF via email to Dr. Wilson Gichuhi (wgichuhi@tntech.edu) by the deadline indicated above.
Swindell/Jackson Summer Undergraduate Research Endowment
The ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Student Research Grant Committee invites undergraduate students to submit applications for support as Swindell/Jackson Undergraduate Research Assistants for research during the summer semester. The assistantship includes a $1,500 stipend to support the applicant’s research experience over a ten-week period. This program is supported by the Swindell/Jackson Research Endowment. The next deadline for the Swindell/Jackson Assistantship is March 30, 2025.
Eligibility:
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Must be a full-time rising sophomore, junior, or senior in good academic standing
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Must be a chemistry major
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Must have completed CHEM 3010 and 3020 in addition to 60 total semester hours of credit
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Must work with a member of the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Chemistry Department
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Must have completed a ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Scholarship application
Application Process:
A completed application will consist of a ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Scholarship application, an original research proposal written according to the requirements for the ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech Student Research Grant Program, and a one page essay discussing the applicant’s educational and professional aspirations; in addition to any financial need. All completed applications should be forwarded as a single PDF via email to Dr. Wilson Gichuhi (wgichuhi@tntech.edu).
Note: Recipients of a ³ÉÄêÈËÉîÒ¹¸£ÀûÔÚÏß¹Û¿´ Tech URECA! Mini Grant or CISE Grant for summer are ineligible to apply. For more information please contact Dr. Gichuhi.
Creative Inquiry Summer Experience (CISE) and Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URECA)
Please click on the links below to find more information about these two research opportunities.