PLEASE NOTE: ALL UPLOADED DOCUMENTS MUST BE PDF's ONLY!
Tips for a strong PUF application
1. Emphasize your independent role
While many students work within a faculty-led project or lab, your proposal should clearly define your independent contribution. Projects that are fully student-designed are welcome, but not required. If your work is part of a larger study, explain how your role is distinct and self-directed within that broader context.
2. Group projects are not eligible; linked proposals may be
PUF funding is for individual projects. However, separate but related proposals from different students may be considered. For example, multiple applicants could propose unique creative works that together form a series. Each proposal must stand on its own and be viable even if others are not funded.
3. Write for the educated non-specialist
Reviewers come from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Use language that is accessible to readers outside your discipline. If your proposal is too technical or assumes prior knowledge, it may not be scored favorably.
4. Provide broader context
Explain why your project matters beyond its specific scope. What are the wider academic, cultural or societal implications? For example, a study of basking turtles becomes more compelling when framed as a conservation issue involving species displacement.
5. Reflect on animal research
If your project involves live animals or animal tissue, briefly address the ethical considerations. Could your question be explored using alternative methods? If not, explain why live subjects are essential.
6. Include research instruments
If your project uses surveys or interviews, attach a draft of the survey or interview protocol with your application.
7. Address required approvals
You are responsible for ensuring the necessary approvals are in place before your project begins. These may include IRB (for human subjects), IACUC (for vertebrate animals), or other campus approvals for use of hazardous materials. Your sponsor should reference these in their letter, and your proposal should demonstrate awareness of this process.
8. Explain how you’ll stay in touch during travel
If your project involves travel or takes place abroad (including through UC Education Abroad), describe how you will stay in contact with your UC Davis faculty mentor throughout the project.
9. Submit a clear and realistic budget
Budgets must be itemized, realistic and directly tied to your project. Specify actual costs and identify suppliers when relevant. High-priority items include expendable supplies, modest travel for research purposes and low-cost materials. Low-priority items include personal living expenses, large equipment, publication costs and travel to conferences.
Reminder
All uploaded documents must be in PDF format. The application system will not accept Word or other file types.