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KilmerKilmer Undergraduate Research Program

The Kilmer Fund was established by an anonymous donor to honor Dr. Frederick Barnett Kilmer, a physician and analytical chemist, who was the Director of Scientific Affairs for the Johnson & Johnson Company from 1889 to 1934.

As a result of this generosity, the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning is able to offer a variety of Kilmer grants for our undergraduate researchers and creative artists.  These grants are meant to encourage and support independent and collaborative student/faculty research and creative projects in all academic fields of study.

The following opportunities exist:
  • Kilmer Undergraduate Research Projects
    • Available for fall, spring, summer, or two consecutive semesters
Deadlines
  • Spring 2024 has been extended to December 1, 2023 by 4 p.m.
  • Summer and Fall 2024 April 5, 2024 by 4 p.m.
Requirements
  • 2.5 GPA or above (3.0 for Summer Research Fellowship). This threshold must be met at the time of the award and maintained for the duration of the apprenticeship. In rare cases in which a student's GPA is slightly below a 2.5, but high in their particular field of interest, the student’s academic advisor will be asked to write a letter of support for the project.
  • Register for and complete a research or independent study course (or APLE 499 Kilmer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship) with a faculty mentor for the project during the academic year (as appropriate). This course may earn from 1-3 academic credits. Summer Kilmer projects are exempt from this requirement (but may earn credit if desired).
  • For two-semester Kilmer awardees, must register for and complete APLE 450 Advanced Honors Colloquium (1 cr.) to discuss and share your work. Multiple sections of APLE 450 will be offered every term. Class meets for one hour per week for fifteen weeks. (Summer Researchers and single-semester Kilmer awardees are exempted from this requirement).
  • Present the results of findings or the culmination of creative/scholarly projects in an academic forum or venue appropriate to the discipline. All Kilmer recipients are expected to present at the campus’s annual Learning & Research Fair (in Spring). Students are encouraged to submit their work to a discipline-specific conference or meeting/scholarly journal.
  • All public presentations associated with the Kilmer Program must include the following acknowledgement: “This project is supported by SUNY Potsdam’s Kilmer Program. To learn more about the program, click the link in the description or search for SUNY Potsdam Kilmer Program.”
Application Procedure
  • Read and follow the Guidelines for completing the Kilmer Grant   
  • The application and budget form must be submitted by the designated application date
  • Faculty mentors must complete and submit a Faculty Mentor Support Form

Note: Students will want to consult with their faculty mentor, but the application should be completed by the student. Late, incomplete or previous versions of the application will not be considered for funding.

Awards (To be used only for expenses directly related to the project)
  • Year-long projects (two full semesters): up to $600
  • Semester projects: up to $400
  • Summer projects: up to $1000

Award amounts will be based on documented budgetary needs, and funds must be expended within the projected timeline. Failure to expend the awarded funds within the designated time will result in the reallocation of funds. Students are eligible for one award per academic year, and only one summer award during their undergraduate course of study.

Note: Funding levels depend upon annual endowment earnings, which may fluctuate with the financial markets.

Application Forms