University Honors Program

Honors Thesis Research Proposal and Fellowship Application

Please see Guidelines for Applying for a Thesis Fellowship at www.udayton.edu/honors/thesis/proposal.php for full details
regarding submission of your proposal.
FORMAT
The student should follow the outline below in the preparation of his or her thesis fellowship proposal, using the template
following. Note that the proposal is required to be submitted as a double-spaced document to Ramona Speranza. Please
include your last name in any document file names.

SECTIONS I-VIII ARE REQUIRED

I. COVER SHEET

Scan the completed and signed document and submit it separately to Ramona Speranza.

Include the students last name in the document file name.

II. GENERAL AUDIENCE PROJECT SUMMARY

The general audience project summary should be written for educated readers outside of your discipline.

The goal of this summary is to provide a broad scope of what the expectations for the project are, how this will be
accomplished, and why this is important.

This summary should not be identical to the project abstract (Section III).

This summary should be no longer than 300 words.

III. PROPOSED THESIS TITLE AND PROPOSED ABSTRACT

The abstract should be consistent with disciplinary and advisor guidelines, but typically consists of 200-300 words.

Discipline-specific language in this section of the proposal is appropriate.

This is each students first attempt to draft an abstract and the scope of the work is expected to evolve prior to the
submission of the actual thesis.
IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Discipline-specific language may be used in this section of the proposal to explain the problem / hypothesis /
argument and the specific aims of the thesis.

The project description should be a narrative; an outline is not acceptable.

Discuss any relevant research design or research methods to be used.

Discuss progress made to-date on the project.

If needed, figures, pictures, graphs, etc. are appropriate for this section (and encouraged) and are not used to
evaluate the length of the written portion. Please note that proposals will be photocopied in black and white for
review. As such, figures and their references should be done in grayscale.

The written portion of the description is not to exceed five double-spaced pages in length.
V. TIMELINE

A detailed accounting of the milestones necessary for the completion of the project.
VI. WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY

Include citations to works already referenced and works likely to be referenced in the course of the project.

The student should consult the thesis advisor in order to identify a format consistent with standards in his or her
discipline.
VII. BUDGET

Include a full itemized budget for the project that estimates all likely expenses to be incurred regardless of the total
cost.

Include a narrative budget justification to explain the need for the funds requested.

Projects may have budgets that exceed the fellowship amount that the UHP can provide.

Projected expenses must be clearly identified, itemized, and justified by the research design that is planned. For
example, references to be purchased should be listed by title, author and cost.

Identify sources for cost estimates.

List other secured and requested sources of funding.

Thesis writers can submit a proposal with a request for $0.

As of 6/20/14

University Honors Program

Honors Thesis Research Proposal and Fellowship Application

Thesis fellowships are capped at $1500 (except in the case of the Palermo Founders Fund recipients), but it is still
appropriate to list the full cost of the project.

All expenditures must be documented and receipts included before the expenses can be reimbursed. One copy of the
expense report and receipts goes to the department, and a second copy to the University Honors Program office (124
Alumni Hall).

VIII. LETTER OF SUPPORT

A letter of support from your Advisor or Advisor of Contact must be included.

In addition to discussing the shared background of the advisor and student, and the student's academic prowess, the
letter should also address appropriateness of the budget request, and the tangible support the advisor can provide
including space, supplies, equipment, and access to contacts necessary for the completion of the research.

A letter of support for the thesis proposal is similar to a letter of recommendation, including a discussion of the
research project and the advisor's commitment to seeing the student succeed.

The Advisor should submit the letter of support directly to Ramona Speranza via email.
IX. APPENDICES (IF NECESSARY)
Include any additional materials that support the project described in Section III. Suggested appendices include but are not
limited to:

Letters of support from contacts necessary for the completion of the thesis.

Letters of support for funding promised from other resources.

Draft or status of IRB or IACUC proposal.

SECTION X IS OPTIONAL
X. PALERMO FOUNDERS FUND APPLICATION

Not to exceed two double-spaced pages in length.

Identify why the thesis will be of exceptional merit, and how it involves international research, service and leadership
in community, or advances the realization of a just society.

The student is encouraged to apply for this fund if he or she meet these qualifications, independent of the level of
funding requested in Section VII.

SECTION XI IS OPTIONAL
XI. ARNOLD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

State major(s) (must be within the College of Arts and Sciences)

List Honors credits (at least 12 Honors credits earned toward an Honors diploma with thesis, or at least 15 Honors
credits earned toward an Honors with Distinction diploma)

Compose a reflective essay (500 to 750 words) discussing applicants contributions as a leader in the University
Honors Program and/or at the University of Dayton, and what role the thesis research will play in applicants life after
graduation
Financial need will be determined by the University Office of Financial Aid

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Complete and submit a double-spaced, electronic document of the Thesis Research Proposal and Fellowship
Application to Ramona Speranza by April 1.
Include students last name in any document file names.
Advisor should electronically submit the letter of support to Ramona Speranza by April 1.
Fellowship awards are announced in early April.

As of 6/20/14

University Honors Program

Honors Thesis Research Proposal and Fellowship Application

II. GENERAL AUDIENCE PROJECT SUMMARY (300 words)

III. PROPOSED THESIS TITLE AND PROPOSED ABSTRACT (200-300 words)

IV. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (not to exceed 5 double spaced pages in length)

V. TIMELINE: Provide a detailed monthly timeline of project milestones as needed for the completion
of the Honors Thesis Project.
2014
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
FALL TBD

Attend required Senior Thesis Workshop

SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
2015
JANUARY 31

Complete the Symposium Registration Form to register thesis information for the Honors Students
Symposium

FEBRUARY
MARCH 20

Oral presentation of thesis at the Honors Students Symposium (HSS15)

APRIL 8

Submit electronic copy all Word documents of the thesis to Ramona Speranza

April 15

Present thesis project at a poster session of the Stander Symposium

VI. WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY

As of 6/20/14

University Honors Program

Honors Thesis Research Proposal and Fellowship Application

VII. BUDGET
Itemized Budget:
Materials/Supplies:
Item

Estimated Cost

Travel: (If required for Thesis Project)

Automobile Mileage

X miles X ($0.55/mile) =
*The current UD rate for mileage reimbursement will be used.

Other:
Item

Estimated Cost

Other Source(s) of Funding

Source

Pending/Secured

Total Amount Requested: $ ____________

Narrative Budget Justification:

VIII. LETTER OF SUPPORT

Advisor should submit the electronic letter of support directly to Ramona Speranza by April 1.

IX. APPENDICES (if necessary)

X. PALERMO FOUNDERS FUND APPLICATION (Optional)

As of 6/20/14