What Is Expected of a Mentor
- Assist your student in development and articulation of the project idea and plan. (Please note: the student is the primary author of the proposal but should work in collaboration with you through the editing process.)
- Help your student understand the methods and concepts of research and scholarship within your field.
- Guide and train your student in the skills and/or techniques needed to complete the project (including compliance with human subjects/IRB and animal care and use).
- Be available during the project period. You and your student should establish ground rules and expectations during the planning stage.
- Oversee and manage account expenditures. Mentors and students are responsible for overages.
- Ensure your student meets the program requirements, terms and conditions.
Mentors anticipating sabbaticals and/or extended leave during the Magellan Scholar project period must identify a secondary mentor during this absence or consider alternatives.
Research Contracts
Some mentors have found it helpful to develop a research contract that can assist
in establishing duties, expectations, and deadlines. This contract template [doc] may be helpful and can be modified to fit your needs.
Your Application Responsibilities
You will need to help your student as they prepare their project description, budget, and other application materials.
Formal Project Proposal
You will need to submit the formal proposal (project description, budget form, and mentor forms) through USCeRA.
Help submitting
See our Guide for Magellan Scholar mentors: forms and USCeRA submission [pdf].
Trouble submitting?
Call Julie Morris at 803-777-4649.
The 5 p.m. deadline is for submission of the completed application and proposal into USCeRA. Electronic signatures from the chair and dean can be submitted later.
Fall Deadline
October 11, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Announced: December 13
Grants start January 2024
Spring Deadline
February 7, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Announced: April 12
Grants start May or August 2024
EXCEPTIONS
College of Education - Columbia
- Requires an internal review of your proposal five business days before the stated deadline.
- Contact Queenie Bell at bellq@mailbox.sc.edu as soon as you intend to submit.
College of Nursing - Columbia
- Submit the internal intent to submit form [pdf] ASAP.
- Final version of proposal is emailed to Lisa Spruill, not into USCeRA. DEADLINE: 10 business days before the stated application deadline.
- Contact Lisa Spruill at lspruill@mailbox.sc.edu with questions.
Arnold School of Public Health
- Requires submission into USCeRA 1 full business day prior to the deadline.
- Contact Charlotte Stalvey, CSTALVEY@mailbox.sc.edu with questions.
Commonly Asked Questions
Visit the Using Your Money page for details on managing the Magellan Scholar grant.
Please contact Julie Morris in the Office of Undergraduate Research to discuss the situation and options (jmorris@sc.edu; 803-777-4649). I'm here to help support you and your student throughout the process!
No. Magellan Scholar awards are made to a specific student, and no other student may be supported through the grant.
If the project involves vertebrate animals, it must have approval through the Animal Care and Use Committee and the student must have appropriate training. If the project already has approval, the student must be added. Contact the Department of Animal Resources, 803-777-8106, iacuc@mailbox.sc.edu. For USC Aiken, contact the Sponsored Research Office.
If the project involves humans (including but not limited to interviews, surveys or review of personal/private information), mentors must review the Student Research guide. Based on this guidance from the Office of Research Compliance, most student driven projects will not require further review. Faculty oversight and student training through the CITI Human Subjects modules are required. Some projects may also require use of the Undergraduate Research Consent Form. A template is available on the Student Research page. If a student is "engaged in the research" on a mentor's project requiring IRB oversight (new or approved protocol), the student must be added. Contact the Office of Research Compliance (803-777-7095) with questions.