The Magellan Explorer Award
- up to $1,000 per recipient for salary, materials and travel
- for projects in collaboration with a mentor
- funds research, scholarly and creative projects
Eligibility
You must be:
- a current or former Preston College resident
- in good standing with Preston Residential College
- in good standing with the university
- working under the guidance of a faculty, staff or community mentor.
Application Process
You do not have to apply for the full amount to be considered for a Magellan Explorer Grant.
- Complete the Magellan Programs Application [doc].
Includes sections for project overview, research compliance, research abroad and budget - Have your mentor complete the Mentor Collaboration Form [doc].
If you have a secondary mentor, have them complete the Secondary Mentor Form [doc]. Both forms should be mailed to our@sc.edu.
NOTE: graduate students are permitted as daily advisers and co-mentors but are not eligible to be the primary mentor for a project. - Submit the online application form.
Select "Magellan Explorer" from the menu. Under "Magellan Programs Application," upload your PDF or Word document.
You may not submit a proposal during the semester you are graduating.
You must be enrolled for one full semester after the award date of the grant.
The Magellan Explorer grant has a rolling deadline. That means you can submit your proposal whenever it's ready, and we will review it.
Proposal Review Period
It will take about a month after you submit to hear whether you've been selected to
receive the award. The earlier you submit, the better.
Note: award funds must be used within the academic year they are awarded (deadline for use is June after award received).
Project Overview Tips and Hints [pdf]
How to write a successful project overview
Application Checklist [pdf]
Use the checklist to ensure you've completed all parts of your Magellan Research Application.
Salary
You can get paid! Preston hires you when you receive the Magellan Explorer grant and request a salary. You'll submit time sheets each week and receive a paycheck. The hourly rate for students receiving the Magellan Explorer is $10 per hour.
Supplies and Travel
Include supplies, materials, travel, etc. in your budget. Keep in mind the maximum amount you can request is $1,000, and funds are provided by reimbursement only.
If you purchase something, it belongs to USC. You do not get to keep it.
Items not covered by this grant:
- computer (includes laptop, desktop, etc.)
- gift cards or cash (to pay participants)
- hiring people (such as consultants)
- phones
- meals
- travel under 20 miles
- books that can be found through the USC library
- senior thesis printing costs
- any item that does not have a receipt
Allowable costs include:
- software (such as SPSS, InDesign, etc.)
- plane tickets
- gas (for trips more than 20 miles)
- printing costs
- hotel room
- cameras or video equipment
- renting a kayak
- books not found through the USC library
- raffle items (for study participants — must be less than $50 each)
- conference travel (no more than half your budget).
Keep in mind...
All funds must be used by June 1 of the academic year your award starts.
1. Make significant progress toward completing your project within the grant period.
2. Complete research ethics training.
3. Present at Discover USC.
4. Submit a research report with pictures.
Before You Plan Your Research...
Review the Research Abroad Guidelines Document [pdf] for:
- Important people to meet with and contact
- Research abroad requirements
- Guidelines and tips for the application
For Aiken, Beaufort, and Upstate students:
Contact us at our@sc.edu or 803-777-1141.
For Columbia and Palmetto Campus/College students:
1) Register and comply with all policies, rules, and regulations of the Education Abroad Office
ALL students traveling abroad for research, volunteer, internships or study must register
with the Education Abroad Office.
2) Follow Education Abroad Non-Credit Programs Instructions
This is required for ALL research, internship, volunteer, and non-credit study abroad activities.
Students must also comply with University Travel policies and procedures.
If You Are Not Sure If You Need to Register:
Check with the Education Abroad Office at edabroad@sc.edu or 803-777-7557. Be safe, not sorry!
Applying as a Group
Students may submit one application for a small group working on the same project.
Maximum Funding
Up to $1,000 per student, with a maximum of $2,000 per project