Students with big ideas for research projects but low funds may want to check out the Undergraduate Research Program. The Office of Sponsored Programs has created a way for students to receive $1,000 to conduct research in a field of their choosing.

The deadline for submitting a proposal to participate in ‘The University of North Alabama Undergraduate Research Program,’ is currently set at March 2, 2014, according to a document emailed on Jan. 6 by Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs Tanja Blackstone.

“I personally believe that for students to engage what they learn in the classroom in a real-world application is invaluable,” Blackstone said. “If you want to go on to graduate school, presenting to the public shows the graduate committee that you have initiative at the undergraduate level.”

Recipients of the grant will receive their awards in May and will conduct research until April 2015. They will then present their findings at the Eighth Annual UNA Research Day, according to the document.

“Having published research as an undergraduate is a great way to set yourself apart from others in your field,” said Kevin Daniel, a senior general science education major. “How many people can walk into a job interview and say they have published research under their belt?

The purpose of the $1,000 is to meet the student’s needs for the project and can be used throughout the year. In addition to the $1,000 grant, students participating in URP will receive a three-hour tuition scholarship. They will receive credit for an independent study course upon completing their project, Blackstone said.

“The total award is roughly $1,700,” Blackstone said.

There are currently four grants available to undergraduates to participate in the URP. The committee assessing the applications had been known to accept a wide variety of proposals from students, Blackstone said.

“We’ve had some research projects in social sciences, some in hard sciences, an exploratory analysis of literary works,” she said. “There have been students who have submitted ideas on the visuals arts. It runs the gamut.”

Hillary Taylor, a freshman, believes the public presentation aspect of the project would give her needed experience for possible future careers, she said.

“I feel that it would make me stand out more because most people just do internships,” Taylor said.

It’s also important to acknowledge the research presentation may not be as applicable to some people, Daniel said.

“(Research is) a subjective thing,” Daniel said. “Its value is subject to the person, their major and their goals for their education.”

Regardless, participation in the URP is not limited to students of a particular set of interests or level of academic performance. Many faculty support the program because its purpose is intellectual development, Blackstone said.

“There are people with all kinds of potential,” Blackstone said.

Editor’s note: Senior Staff Writer Jill Glover contributed to this report.