SEEDS

Identify an IFSAN affiliated faculty advisor. The faculty advisor must agree to mentor the undergraduate student in research for the duration of the project. Expectations for the research project need to be agreed upon between the student and faculty advisor and documented through the SEEDS Terms of Research Agreement. We encourage faculty advisors to pair SEEDS participants with graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research scientists, or other suitable staff members to act as project mentors. The opportunity for a student to work with various academic personnel broadens the student experience and helps to prepare them for opportunities outside of their academic career. Students are encouraged to approach IFSAN affiliated faculty members with their idea(s) for a project.

Engage in research for at least two semesters (fall, spring or summer) with an IFSAN affiliated faculty member. The topic of research is determined by the student in collaboration with a faculty advisor.

Develop and submit a research proposal with support from the project mentor and/or supervising faculty mentor. The proposal must address at least one of the topic areas of interest: food safety, nutrition security, water, food, nutrition, and/or water policy, One Health, or food systems. The proposal must include both a working hypothesis and a null hypothesis; present a project outline that includes an introduction, justification and methods section, along with appropriate references and citations. The proposal should be no more than two pages (1-inch margins, 11 pt font), not including references. The research proposal will be submitted to the IFSAN SEEDS Coordinator who will coordinate the review of the proposal and communicate back to the student and identified faculty advisor.

Complete the SEEDS Terms of Agreement. Once the proposal is approved, the student and faculty advisor must complete the SEEDS Terms of Agreement. A copy of the completed agreement must be submitted to the IFSAN SEEDS coordinator before starting the project. Students and faculty advisors should also retain a copy of the agreement for themselves.

Students and their faculty advisor/mentor are to meet as often as needed, but no less than once a month for the duration of the project. Students are responsible for scheduling regular meetings with their faculty advisor and/or mentor.

Complete relevant safety and other training necessary for research in the faculty mentor’s research group prior to beginning research, such as lab safety training and CITI certification.

Present project findings at an approved research forum. Students are required to present their project results at either the GW Research showcase or an equivalent alternative (e.g., a regional or national conference) that is approved by the IFSAN SEEDS Coordinator. Students are encouraged to present their poster or provide an oral presentation of their work as often as time and their schedule allows. 

Submit a final paper. Submit a final paper to the IFSAN SEEDS Coordinator. The paper should include and abstract, introduction, methods, results, conclusion, and references with citations in the text. The final paper should be no more than four pages (1-inch margins, 11 pt font). Working with the faculty advisor to prepare a paper that is suitable for peer-review and publication is highly encouraged, but not required.

Funding:
The GW faculty advisor will receive compensation of $500 per student per project to offset research costs (e.g. supplies, travel to meetings, disposables, incentives for participants, etc.). The GW student will receive a $500 stipend per approved research project. The student must present the project findings as outlined above and submit their final paper for the faculty advisory/student to receive the funding. Students can be funded for only one project at a time but are eligible for multiple projects during their academic career at GW. To be eligible for funding, the student must not be graduating for at least two semesters. The number of funded projects will be dependent on available funding. If the number of applications received exceed available funding, applications will be competitively reviewed for final selection.

Deadlines:

Proposals should be submitted electronically as a PDF to the IFSAN SEEDS Coordinator by 11:59 pm on the specified date. The name of the proposal file should include the last names of both the student and the advisor.

1. Am I eligible to participate in the SEEDS program?
   • All students enrolled in GW undergraduate degree programs are eligible to participate.
2. What are the deadlines for joining SEEDS?
   • Students can participate in SEEDS at any time during their tenure at GW. To be eligible for funding through the SEEDS program, students must complete and submit a research proposal at least two full semesters before graduating.
3. How do I find a faculty advisor?
   • Students should review the biographies of IFSAN affiliated faculty members to identify a potential faculty advisor that aligns with their area of interest. Students should meet with faculty members about their idea(s) for a SEEDS project.
4. When is the best time to start a SEEDS project?
   • SEEDS projects can be completed at any point during a student's undergraduate degree; however, we ask students ensure that they have adequate time to dedicate to a research project before submitting a SEEDS proposal and have completed relevant coursework to be successful.
5. Do I have to register for research credits?  
   • This is left to the discretion of the faculty advisor. This should be discussed with them when you first meet to make sure expectations are clear and the IFSAN SEEDS Coordinator should be informed.
6. How does the funding work?
   • Students are eligible for a stipend of $500 and faculty members are eligible to receive up to $500 to support research. Once the student has presented their project at an approved venue and submitted their paper, they will receive their stipend and the faculty member will receive their research funds.
7. I am a paid research assistant. Am I eligible to apply?
   • Students cannot apply for work that they are currently being compensated for but can apply for a different project or an extension of an existing project. The proposal should clearly state how this is different from ongoing paid work.
8. Can I use a SEEDS project for a Departmental Honors project?
   • This is left to the discretion of the department. This should be discussed with the department to make sure expectations are clear and the IFSAN SEEDS Coordinator should be informed.
9. What should be included in the SEEDS written proposal? 
   • Address at least one of the topic areas of interest: food safety, nutrition security, water, food, nutrition, and/or water policy, One Health, and/or food systems.
   • Have both a working and null hypothesis.
   • Have a project outline that includes an introduction, methods, and includes appropriate references and citations.   

By participating in the SEEDS program, you are agreeing to these terms and conditions. Please read these terms and conditions carefully before signing these documents.

Terms and Agreement

• Students are expected to adhere to the most current Code of Conduct, as outlined by the School of Public Health: CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT | Division for Student Affairs | The George Washington University, as well as the latest Code of Academic Integrity: CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY | Division for Student Affairs | The George Washington University.
• Participants must demonstrate that they have completed  necessary training requirements.
• Students are required to schedule regular meetings with their mentor(s), with a minimum frequency of once per month.
• Students must present a written proposal to the SEEDS coordinator for review and approval. Proposals must be submitted at least two full semesters before the student graduates.
• Students must actively participate in the research process and present of project findings at an approved venue.

Faculty/Mentor

• The Faculty/Mentor will invest the appropriate amount of time with the SEEDS student(s) providing a nurturing environment for a successful project.
• The Faculty/Mentor will meet with students as often as needed for the successful completion of the project, but no less than one time a month.
• The Faculty/Mentor will support the students in their proposal development, data collection, analysis, and presentations.