Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,
I am currently a Junior at High school with the aspiration to complete a study measuring individual's brains while visualizing and dreaming. As I have conducted hours of research on this project, I have found that the cost of running an fMRI, or brain monitor, is a very expensive process. I am currently in the process of contacting professors, but I am worried that the mere cost of running the necessary machinery will act to scare the professors away. Is it possible to receive a grant as a student without a PHD to receive funding for this?
Thanks.

Hi Zander,

You have selected a very ambitious and, as you have discovered, expensive project. Grants for scientific research are granted based on a researchers past publications and, as far as I know, are awarded to established research laboratories with PhD scientists. You can't get a grant award with just an idea; you need to have some data to justify the grant.

Your idea of contacting professors is a good idea. If you find someone who is willing to work with you, try to develop of project on your topic that will give you experience in doing a research project. You may not be able to do the project you have in mind because of budget limitations, but there are many other projects you could do that would give you invaluable experience.

If you can't find someone in your field to work with you, then do check out the project ideas on the science buddies website and select a topic and project that you can do on your own:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... l?From=Tab


Good luck! Do let us know if you need any more help.

Donna Hardy

I agree with donnahardy2's advice (thanks donna!). I have a couple more resources to add.

Check out our Advanced Project Guide: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndex.shtml

You'll find information about how to find a mentor, how to find an advanced project topic (and determine if it has a chance at doing well in an advanced competition), and lots more.

zander wrote:Hi,
I am currently a Junior at High school with the aspiration to complete a study measuring individual's brains while visualizing and dreaming. As I have conducted hours of research on this project, I have found that the cost of running an fMRI, or brain monitor, is a very expensive process. I am currently in the process of contacting professors, but I am worried that the mere cost of running the necessary machinery will act to scare the professors away. Is it possible to receive a grant as a student without a PHD to receive funding for this?
Thanks.

I read a really excellent book called the Three Pound Enigma (Shannon Moffett), which discussed fMRI and its applications for neuroscience in great detail. You might want to read it.
I've had some experience with needing university lab equipment for science fair - I did get access to what I needed, but it was only after a lot of work and I was seriously considering doing a different project. I suggest you still have a backup plan in case it doesn't work out.
Do you know someone who is a doctor or works at a university? Anyone connected to medicine or the sciences?
Finding a mentor is important as you are working with human subjects - brain imaging would most likely need a qualified scientist/ supervisor there.
Don't be scared of the professors' response; at the very least they might be able to offer you some advice. I received a lot of feedback along the lines of "too ambitious" but I managed to do it anyway, so don't be discouraged.
Best of luck with your project!