By Kristen Moussalli

For the first time at Northeast-ern, undergraduate students will be able to experiment on their own with the help of new undergraduate research grants.

Between 30 and 50 students will receive up to $1,000 in grants for their own independent research projects. The projects will be sponsored by the Office of the Provost, and will help pay for research materials such as software, reference books and travel to research sites and meetings, said Provost Ahmed Abdelal.

“[Independent research] is very important. At commencement I remember hearing graduate students talking about their independent experiences … students should really experience this opportunity,” Abdelal said.

Students said the chance is one they could not pass up.

“The opportunity to study independently is one I would use because I would be able to broaden ideas by myself and there would be more room to explore by myself. Students need to prioritize; it’s a good venue to explore options and I don’t see why anyone else wouldn’t use it,” said Rachel Kling, a sophomore criminal justice major.

Previously, one of the undergraduate research grants awarded to students in the College of Arts and Sciences was the Faculty Undergraduate Research Institute (FURI) grant. Unlike the new grant being offered, the FURI grant was one that required students to work directly with faculty members.

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences James Stellar said he is a “maniac” for the new research opportunity and said he believes the grants will have many benefits for students and faculty members.

“Undergraduate research [sp-onsored by] faculty helps students and faculty connect to produce a better curriculum, meet students needs, gives students personal benefits and help getting jobs. The only downside is the money, but the money goes to the students and their research so there really is no downside,” Stellar said.

Undergraduate research opp-ortunities becoming part of the culture at Northeastern is what Stellar said he hopes will happen, but he also said he is concerned students will not be made aware of the opportunity of starting their own independent research project.

Student Government Associa-tion Vice President for Academic Affairs Bill Durkin said although students may not be fully aware of the program, the incoming classes are ready for the tasks that come along with an independent research project and more projects like these need to be offered.

“The better students North-eastern has attracted need more academic opportunities. North-eastern has to rise to the occasion,” Durkin said.

The opportunity is something Durkin said he believes students should take advantage of to help build their r