General Overview About This Form:
To submit a Richter summer application, you will need to provide the following:
Funding for Summer Projects
Students may request funding to help defray their summer housing and living costs incurred during their project. Students can also request funding to help cover specific expenses related to the project. Such as materials/supplies for the project, books, some equipment (restrictions apply). Funding awarded by the Vovis Center will not exceed $2,000 in total.
Students who are completing a summer independent study for academic credit are ONLY eligible for materials (not stipend or housing support).
Evaluation of Richter Applications
The Richter Advisory Board is charged with the distribution of Richter funding to support student research and creative projects. Applications are evaluated on completeness, feasibility and quality.
Important Information
NOTE: Students who are completing a summer independent study for academic credit are ONLY eligible for materials (not stipend or housing support).
Warning: END date can't be before START Date. Please recheck your dates.
Project Proposal: Proposals should be typed, double spaced, and no more than 5 pages in length. In-text citations and a reference (bibliography) section are required. Please use headings in your proposal, responding to the following:
1. Abstract (250 words or less) summarize the main goals of your project 2. The primary objectives and the significance of the project within the broader context of the academic literature and body of knowledge.3. The methods or strategies you will use to conduct your project.4. The anticipated timeline of conducting the project. Note: Research/creative projects should involve ~75+ total hours of work or more in order to be eligible for Richter funding.5. A description of your academic preparation for this project.6. An explanation of the relationship of the project to your academic and career goals.
Note: Honors project or ASSET applicants should upload their Honors/ASSET proposal instead of writing a new proposal
Academic SourcesAll proposals must include at least 3 academic sources in order to situate your project within the larger body of research/creative work surrounding it (unless you are applying for internship funding). These sources should be referenced as in-text citations and then in a reference/bibliography section. You should format your citations in the style used within your discipline (APA, MLA, etc).
Feel free to reach out to Lisa Harris or the Knox librarians if you need help writing your proposal.
Proposal for Internships or Related Experiences
Students requesting funds to support an unpaid/underpaid internship or related experience must write a typed, double spaced, and no more than 5 pages in length proposal that outlines the following items:
1. Summary (250 words or less) summarize the organization you will be working for and the main goals of your specific role/internship 2. The primary objectives of your specific position within the organization3. The methods or strategies you will use to complete your internship/experience. What support will you receive? What challenges do you anticipate and how will you overcome them?4. The anticipated timeline of your internship in the summer.5. A description of your academic preparation for this project.6. An explanation of the relationship of the experience to your academic and career goals.
Feel free to reach out to Lisa Harris or if you need help writing your proposal.
Note to Internship Applicants: You must provide an official letter or email from the organization confirming the following:
Housing & Living Expenses
The Richter Memorial Grant may be able to help defray summer housing and living costs in order to support your research/creative project or internship, including:
If awarded, note that the student is still responsible for paying their own housing bill and living expenses (presumably with their Richter funds).
These awards are taxable and processed through payroll (students will need to be setup in the payroll system for direct deposit). Taxes will be withheld and withholdings will vary. For a rough estimate, calculate 22% in tax withholding. [$1000 stipend - $220 (22%) = $780 deposit amount]. For a more accurate calculation contact the Knox Payroll department.
Reminder: Funding awarded by the Vovis Center will not exceed $2,000 in total.
Funding for summer housing is for costs that are outside of your normal housing expense. What is your housing situation for this summer?
How many hours per week will you intend to work on your project and for how many weeks? Be realistic and consider any other commitments you may have during the summer. Generally, research/creative projects should involve somewhere around 75 hours of work or more in order to be eligible for the full $1,000. Be honest! If your total hours will be less than that but you are looking for a smaller stipend, let us know! That's an option too.
Project-Related Expenses
Funding may also be requested to help cover expenses related to the project, such as materials for the project, books, some equipment (restrictions apply). An itemized budget is required and there should be a clear connection between budget items and your proposed project.
For each budget item you are requesting, use the drop down menu to select the most accurate Budget Item Category. Group items that fall within the same category together. The Amount should reflect all expenses related to that category. Please start by completing Budget Item Category (A). Complete additional Budget Item Categories (B,C,D, E) accordingly as needed.
As a reminder, funding awarded by the Vovis Center will not exceed $2,000 in total.
Please note -- Funding awarded by the Vovis Center will not exceed $2,000 in total
Your "faculty sponsor" is the faculty member at Knox who is familiar with your project and supports your application for funding. You should have talked with your faculty sponsor to obtain their support prior to completing this application and provide them with a copy of your project proposal.
In the summer months, as funding is competitive, the Richter Advisory Board requires a written letter of recommendation from your faculty sponsor. The letter should be roughly one page, addressed to the Vovis Advisory Board, and outline: 1) your (the student's) preparedness to take on the proposed project, 2) any academic/other experiences that have prepared you (the student) to do so, 3) observations about your motivations/ability to complete the project, as well as 4) showcase the faculty member's support/mentorship for the project.
Please have your faculty sponsor submit their letter of recommendation to the Vovis Center. They should email their letter to Sandy Jones at sljones@knox.edu by the application deadline.
Applicant Agreement
By signing below, I grant the Vovis Center and the Vovis Advisory Board to access and review my academic records (courses taken/completed, grade point average) to consider as part of the application process. I affirm that I have completed this application truthfully and to the best of my ability.