University of Northern Iowa Foundation, the organization responsible for collecting donations at UNI, announced they have collected $40.8 million dollars in grants for the fiscal year of 2014.
The funding includes money from federal, state, local and corporate institutions. The money will be allocated to various projects such as research opportunities for undergraduate students and public outreach projects.
Approximately two million of the $40.8 million went to UNI professors through five National Science Foundation awards.
Typically, only five to ten percent of applicants are awarded.
“It just speaks to the caliber of our faculty,” said Christy Twait, assistant provost for research and programs. “We just do a really great job of integrating undergraduates into our works as well as making sure we are putting our knowledge into practice.”
One of UNI’s past grants, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs), has continued into 2014 funds, according to the National Science Foundation’s website.
Undergraduate students are able to work with faculty as well as perform earth science methods for different applications such as mapping and modeling land, water, soil and forestry.
Allowing undergraduates to work with professors is unusual in Iowa; both Iowa State University and University of Iowa require students to be in graduate-level courses before assisting with research.
UNI undergraduate research assistants may receive up to $3000 over a summer to work alongside faculty members.
Some of the $40 million will be directed toward UNI’s pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education initiatives, such as year-long student teaching.
There was also a portion of overall grants, about $1.8 million, going toward student internships and wages mostly related to undergraduate research.
“We take a lot of pride in the fact that undergraduates get to do research alongside faculty outside of the classroom,” Twait said, “you are getting experience directly relevant to your major and you are getting to earn and learn at the same time.”
