Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When does the project have to be completed?
There is no specific “finish” date for all projects in general.  Rather, when a team’s proposal is accepted, the review panel will discuss with each team a realistic reporting time, given the rough timeline set out in the proposal and the review panel’s input on that timeline and the project.  The teams will be expected to exercise diligence to comply with the timeline and reporting time.  And, as noted, all teams will be expected to report on their progress at the Fall 2010 symposium.

Whom do I talk to about the budget?
John Whaley is the finance person for all of the Big iDeas grants. All grant recipients will work closely with him to determine the amount and use of their awarded funds. He can be reached at jwhaley@smu.edu.

Whom do I contact if I have more questions?
Our email address is bigideas@smu.edu. Feel free to email us if you have any additional questions and/or with your completed Big iDeas application.

What should the end product look like?
Given the diversity and range of topics, the team’s final report might take a variety of forms.  At least a basic written discussion of the team’s work, analysis, and conclusions should be completed.  Otherwise, the nature of the project, and guidance from the review committee, will help determine the appropriate form of completion.

Can I get course credit for my project?
The Big iDeas project is not, by itself, a credit-granting course. Depending on the project, however, a student within a team might seek academic credit for work on the project in accordance with the rules that apply to particular courses or to independent studies work in general.