• lab and field-related consumables and disposables in an independent study course
• modest payment to human subjects in research
• expenses for remote access archival research (e.g., access and copies)
• attendance at academic workshops and events central to a student's research project
• temporary access/license cost of software and databases
• studio/art supplies not readily available in the department or at the college
• first passport fee for CC or CC-approved international programs if the student also received need-based financial aid for the course/semester

• textbooks for a class
• tuition/fees for classes, labs, or field trips
• salaries/stipends
• living expenses and personal items
• research expenses normally covered by department and college budgets, or external grants held by the faculty

• Research and/or academic objectives: Clearly and concisely state the objective of the independent study/project. What is the scholarly problem, question, or idea? What is the significance of the project?
• Background: Provide background theory, ideas, related literature.
• Methodology or approach: Description of the method/approach and rationale.
• Anticipated outcome(s): State the expected outcomes. What contribution will be made to the applicant's educational goals? Will there be positive impact to the discipline or to the college learning community?

• A detailed and realistic timeline for the project (e.g., start date, progress milestones, project completion date)
• State the course number and the block during which the thesis/independent study will be undertaken.
• State the approximate date the independent study will be entirely completed and graded.
• Students should plan to apply for the grant at least two blocks before they need to use the funds from the Academic Opportunities Grant. If your proposal involves research with human subjects or live vertebrates, your IRB and/or IACUC applications must also be submitted to the IRB/IACUC by 5pm on the first Wednesday.
• Funds for successful grant proposals will be available on the first Friday in the block that follows the complete submission and approval of the grant proposal. Students should develop their grant proposal in consultation with the faculty mentor/supervisor of the thesis, capstone, or independent study. 

• An itemized budget: For each item, indicate the specific item requested, unit cost, quantity needed, and total cost of item. Provide a link when possible to document the approximate cost. Provide an explanation of why each item is needed. Disclose other sources of funding secured or sought for the project. Receiving an Academic Opportunities Grant means that the project is not eligible for other institutional funds (e.g., Office of Student Life or Office of the President Funds).
• All receipts must be kept and uploaded to Summit at the completion of the grant. Failure to document all expenses with receipts could lead to a revocation of the grant.

Award funds for an approved proposal will be deposited into your student account. The award cannot be processed if there is a balance due in your account (but see *).

All applicants must visit the Student Accounts Office to obtain a printout of their account status. The Student Accounts Office is at Spencer Rm 116, (719) 389-6698, StudentAccounts@coloradocollege.edu.

*If you have completed all necessary requirements for financial aid to cover your current balance - speak with the student accounts staff and they will be able to notates on your printout that your account is in good standing even if there is a balance due.

Human subjects research requires IRB approval. Live vertebrate animal research requires IACUC approval.

IRB and IACUC applications must also be submitted to the IRB/IACUC by 5pm on the first Wednesday. Not submitting your IRB/IACUC application by this deadline will mean that the Academic Opportunities Grant application will not be reviewed until the following block.

• Each application will need a statement of support by the faculty research advisor.
• Student applicants will indicate in the Summit application who the faculty reference is, and can request the faculty reference from within the Summit application.
• The faculty member will be invited by email to submit a brief statement of support via Summit.
• The faculty member should comment on the scholarly, educational, and/or artistic significance of the project, the student's preparation to complete and excel at the project, and the faculty member's role in guiding and supporting the student's independent study.
• The faculty letter is due by the second Wednesday.