Invitation to Submit an Application
to Work on Your Own Research Project as a Crus Scholar

Include each of the following sections in the sequence shown below. Place graphics—e.g., charts, graphs, illustrations, if any—within the sections in which they are cited.

Project Summary Statement

This section sets the stage for sections that follow by explaining why the research topic has merit (“sales pitch”), provides a general review of how the research will be conducted, and summarizes objectives of the research.

Relevant Background and Literature Review

• Background summarizes past and present status of the research topic and why conducting additional research is appropriate; explains the relationship of the proposed work and expertise of the faculty mentor.
• Literature review organizes and presents existing research relevant to the project, and notes where others' research succeeded, fell short, or is ongoing.

Specific Research Activities to be Performed

• Cites research objectives and timeline;
• Cites activities or experiments to be conducted;
• Includes a list of deadlines for completing each activity or experiment.

Anticipated Project Deliverables

Proposes methods for sharing results with others – e.g., by producing and presenting a poster for a seminar or conference, writing an article to submit for publication, or making presentations about research progress or the results of the research.

Relationship of the Proposed Work to Applicant's Future Goals

• Provides context for the applicant’s interest in the research topic;
• Highlights how the proposed work is expected to contribute to the applicant’s personal and professional development.

References

• Credits literature and sources that correspond with footnotes or references cited earlier in the paper;
• Follows either APA or MLA reference formatting guidelines.

• Digital format: Typewritten; submitted as a PDF document. Length: Maximum three pages, including all text and graphics 
• Margins: 1"
• Font: 12-point Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri or Cambria
• Justification:
  • Centered – title on first page followed by applicant’s name, then mentor’s name and mentor’s department, then current month and year;
  • Left-justification – section headings and text within each section.
• Line spacing:  Single-spaced text
• Paragraph spacing: 1.5 lines or double-spaced
• Abbreviations: If an abbreviation will be used at least twice in the paper, spell out the word(s) before using the abbreviation for the first time. Examples: 
  • lithium cobalt oxide (LCO)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Footnotes and References: Use either a superscript number or a number inside brackets at the end of the sentence that relates to a corresponding footnote or cited reference. Examples:
  • The cost of lithium has more than quadrupled since last year.²
  • The cost of lithium has more than quadrupled since last year [2]. 

Crus Scholar applications are accepted in groups called cohorts throughout the year.