There are several competitive senior thesis funds to which undergraduates may apply for support of travel, research and supplies for field research on an environmental topic in the United States and abroad. Students must comply with the University’s standards of conduct  and requirements for undergraduate travel in order to receive funding from HMEI.

Click here for an archive of funded senior thesis research organized by year.

 

Applying for Funds

Applications for senior thesis research support are coordinated through the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE). Students may apply for funds during the spring semester of their junior year for summer senior thesis research, or in the fall of their senior year for research during the academic year. Students planning to apply for funds are encouraged to speak with their advisers as soon as possible.

Contact Emily Ahmetaj, Internship Program Manager, with any questions regarding senior thesis funding and/or the application.

Fall 2023 Application Deadline
Tuesday, September 26, 11:59 p.m.

Spring 2024 Application Deadline
Sunday, March 24, 2024, 11:59 p.m.

 

Getting Ready to Apply

As you prepare your materials for your thesis funding application, please keep in mind you will need to organize the following items:

  • Personal contact information;
  • General information, including your thesis topic, netID, thesis adviser name, and travel plans;
  • A list of all funding you have received to date for your thesis research (including current and past commitments);
  • Total amount of research funds you are requesting from other sources;
  • A project statement detailing your proposed research, the methods you intend to employ, and the work accomplished to date;
  • A clear project budget and itemized list of anticipated expenses with travel expenses clearly delineated (allowable expenses listed below);
  • An itinerary indicating destination(s), research plans and people you will work with on-location. Indicate whether you have contacted the appropriate person at the research location for the necessary documents, lab access or archives; and
  • Your qualifications, including language, quantitative skills, coursework or other training, or skills which have prepared you for this type of research.
Princeton undergraduate students from any department can apply for financial support from HMEI related to their senior-thesis research.
Pictured are Meera Burghardt ’24 and Bailey White ’25 taken by Bing Lin.

Project Budget

Students applying for senior thesis research funds are required to submit a detailed budget. Eligible expenses are listed below.

  • Travel to and from the research location, unless the site is in the student’s hometown or country. All students are required to register with the University’s Travel & Expense website as a condition for receiving funds. (See restrictions under Undergraduate Travel Policies and Conduct section below.)
  • Travel-related expenses, including food ($25 per day maximum), accommodations and local transportation (off-campus only).
  • Required research supplies and equipment, including lab expenses. All reusable equipment must be returned to the High Meadows Environmental Institute upon completion of your research for use by future students and researchers. If the requested item is already in HMEI’s inventory, the student may be provided it on loan, and the budget will be reduced by the cost of the loaned item.
  • Access fees for research facilities.
  • Payments to study participants with departmental and IRB approval required (limits will apply).
  • Research-related books.
  • Research-related photocopying.

“Over two summers studying herbivore diets in Mozambique and Kenya, I learned how connected everything is. I hope to pursue a career in environmental research or conservation and my experiences with HMEI gave me the skills and the mindset I need to do so.”
Maria Stahl ’20 – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology/Environmental Studies and HMEI Summer Intern

Expenses Not Covered

Senior thesis research expenses that are not covered include:

  • Personal travel not associated with research;
  • Entertainment expenses;
  • Dry-cleaning and other personal costs not essential for research;
  • Supplies that are not necessary for research, including toiletries and clothing;
  • Travel between Princeton and a research site that is near the student’s permanent home;
  • Living expenses for students who will be doing research in their home cities; and
  • Vaccines and immunizations.
student with swim mechanic in the ocean
HMEI’s Becky Colvin Memorial Award is open to juniors in the Environmental Studies minor or majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology seeking support for senior thesis-related fieldwork.
Pictured is 2016 Colvin recipient Zoe Sims ’17.

 

Project Funding

Formal award letters will include details pertaining to the funded award and the terms and conditions of using research funds. Students must accept or decline the offer within one week of award notification. It is imperative that students complete the acceptance form as quickly as possible to secure their funding and to expedite award processing. When Applicable, IRB and IACUC approval(s) must be obtained prior to receiving funding.

 

Becky Colvin Memorial Award

The Becky Colvin Memorial Award provides juniors enrolled in the Minor in Environmental Studies or majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) with support for travel, research supplies and other expenses associated with field research for their senior thesis. Awardees are selected by the director of HMEI and the chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in consultation with the Colvin family. Click here for more information on applying or contact Emily Ahmetaj, Internship Program Manager in HMEI, with any questions regarding the Becky Colvin Memorial Award.