Each year, a small number of Carleton faculty hire student research partners (SRPs) for summer or winter break projects that involve research somewhere other than Carleton. Examples include archaeological work in Greece or Peru, geological fieldwork in Alaska or Arizona, or visits to archives housed at libraries in England or Washington, DC. In cases like these, faculty can apply for funding to support SRP travel expenses as part of their application for funding for SRP wages, using the same Application for Student Research Partner Support. The guidelines below describe the specific types of expenses that are eligible for funding.
Guidance on Specific Types of SRP Expenses
Travel to/from the site: SRPs are eligible for funding that covers the reasonable cost of travel from Northfield to the research site and back to Northfield. Depending on the location, this could include plane tickets and ground transportation to/from airports. If an SRP is traveling to the research site from somewhere other than Northfield, and/or returning from the research site to somewhere other than Northfield, then they are eligible for funding that covers the actual travel cost or the round-trip Northfield cost, whichever is less.
Lodging while on site: If SRPs were staying on campus then they would be responsible for paying approximately $100 per week for lodging. If their lodging at the research site is less than this then they are not eligible for funds to cover lodging. If the reasonable cost of their lodging at the research site averages more than $100 per week, then they are eligible for funding that covers the excess cost. For example, if a six-week project had an estimated total lodging cost of $800, then the student would be eligible for $200 in funding.
Food while on site: If SRPs were staying on campus then they would be responsible for buying and preparing their own food, at an estimated cost of $150 per week. If their food at the research site is less than this then they are not eligible for funds to cover food. If the reasonable cost of their food at the research site averages more than $150 per week, then they are eligible for funding that covers the excess cost. For example, if an eight-week project had an estimated total food cost of $1500, then the student would be eligible for $300 in funding.
Other expenses while on site: Faculty can also apply for funding to cover other costs their SRPs are expected to incur in the course of their research, such as travel between research sites or research supplies. In most cases, these costs are part of the research project independent of SRP participation, and so should be covered by other funds, such as the faculty member’s FDA or the supply/travel funds that might come with a Humanities Center or Towsley award. Nevertheless, these requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.