Apply for the Research Fund

NARRATOR:Listen to a conversation between a student and a professor.

FEMALE STUDENT:Professor Jennings? I hope I'm not interrupting, but you wanted to see me?

MALE PROFESSOR:Oh, hello, Suzanne. Yes, yes, come right in. How're you doing?

FEMALE STUDENT:Alright.

MALE PROFESSOR:Well, good. The reason I wanted to talk to you was that while you were presenting your linguistics project in class the other day... well, you know, I was thinking,you're a perfect candidate for the Dean's Undergraduate Research Fund.

FEMALE STUDENT:Um, professor, I'm not really sure what the uh... Dean's...

MALE PROFESSOR:[interrupting]Undergraduate Research Fund is? It is a mouthful, I suppose.OK, here's the thing, every year the school has a pool of money to fund a number of research projects of undergraduate students because, as you can imagine,in-depth research often requires monetary support.

FEMALE STUDENT:[thinking aloud]I would like to expand on my research...

MALE PROFESSOR:Good. First a panel of professors reviews the applications for the grant, and then they decide on which research projects should be funded.The allotted money could be used for travel expenses, to attend a conference, for example, or for things like supplies, research equipment, resources that are necessary to conduct the research.

FEMALE STUDENT:I see...

MALE PROFESSOR:Right. And I think you should apply for this grant.Your project is definitely eligible. And you could expand it if you had the necessary resources.[hopefully, rising tone]So, does it sound like something you'd be interested in?

FEMALE STUDENT:Oh yeah, it sounds great. I thought the topic I worked on was really interesting.And it's certainly relevant to my linguistics major.I assume it would also look good when I try to get into graduate school.But how do I apply for the grant?

MALE PROFESSOR:It's pretty straightforward.A brief description of your proposed project, and an estimated budget-how much you'd need to spend and what you intend to spend it on.Also, a glowing letter of recommendation from a linguistics professor wouldn't hurt, which I'd be more than happy to write up for you.

FEMALE STUDENT:[light laughter]OK, cool. I'm pretty clear on how to carry out my project, but I'm not sure where I can find more information on the subject...

MALE PROFESSOR:Well, I've already thought of that.There's this private library at a university in Boston- by the way, because I graduated from that school, I can get you access to it, no problem- see, the library houses lots of unpublished documents that are relevant to your topic.

FEMALE STUDENT:So I could put that in the application for the grant... that I plan on using material from that library for my research,and figure a trip to Boston into my budget?

MALE PROFESSOR:Exactly. I really think, judging from your work in class, and the relevance and clarity of this project,you really have a good chance of getting the funding.

FEMALE STUDENT:OK, I'll definitely apply then.

MALE PROFESSOR:Well, the sooner the better, it's due in a few weeks,good luck, and I'll get that letter written up right away.