Kansas State University

Apply now for the Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award

Submitted by Sarah McGreer Hoyt

K-State Libraries is currently accepting applications for the fourth 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 includes three major categories:

• Individual freshman projects — $1,000 grand prize.
• Individual undergraduate projects, nonfreshman — $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 Cindy Logan, Kirmser Award committee chair.

The application deadline is April 21.

The following criteria will be used to select the winners:

• Recipients must be undergraduate students who completed research projects in any area of study. Projects must have been completed for K-State course credit.
• 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 library 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 departments in the College of Engineering. Jeune Kirmser, 1921-2012, was an educator, social worker and activist.

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