Kansas State University

Now accepting applications for the Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award

Submitted by Sarah McGreer Hoyt

Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for the third annual Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award, which is given annually at the end of the spring semester. Funded by a gift to K-State Libraries from Philip and Jeune Kirmser, the award program includes three major categories:

• Individual freshman projects — $1,000 grand prize.
• Individual undergraduate projects, non-freshman — $1,000 grand prize.
• Undergraduate group project — minimum $2,000 grand prize.

Additional honorable mention awards will be acknowledged in each category.

"We have designed the award to recognize projects that reflect thoughtful, well-executed use of library sources in their research," said Jason Coleman, Kirmser Award committee chair.

The application deadline is April 24.

Faculty members are encouraged to nominate outstanding undergraduate research. The award committee will then contact the nominees and encourage them to submit an application. However, students are also welcome to apply without the initial faculty nomination.

The following criteria will be used to select the award recipients:

• Recipients must be undergraduate students who completed research projects in any area of study from July 1, 2015, through April 24. Projects must have been completed as a requirement for a K-State course.
• At least 50 percent of the research work must have been completed while the applicant was enrolled at K-State as an undergraduate.
• Use of K-State Libraries' resources to complete the project is highly encouraged.
• Projects will be scored based on creativity, organization, appropriateness of scope, quality of presentation and appropriateness of attributions.

Philip Kirmser, 1919-2012, was a longtime professor and head of the applied mechanics department at Kansas State University. He also taught in several other engineering departments. Jeune Kirmser, 1921-2012, was an educator, social worker and activist. They are survived by their son, Larry Kirmser, and daughter, Sandy Chastan.

For more information and complete guidelines, visit the Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award website.