What would you do if your university handed you five grand to go out and fix your community?  
 

For the third year,SMU is giving up to $5,000 to 10 undergraduate students strictly for research.  
 

The motive behind this grant is that students will find an area at SMU or in Dallas that needs improvement and they will then come up with “big solutions that improve the quality of life,” according to SMU’s Big iDeas Web site.
 

The Big iDeas program is a selective process. To receive the grant, students must team up with at least one fellow classmate and submit a written proposal to be reviewed by a committee.  
 

Paul W. Ludden, SMU provost and vice president for academic affairs, is in charge of the program.   
 

SMU sophomore Matt Gayer has Ludden to thank for his participation in Big iDeas.   
 

“He [Ludden] had mentioned it at another event on campus and I investigated more,” Gayer said. “The project is truly one of the best SMU offers, and the opportunities are endless for students and their creativity.”.
 

Gayer’s team focuses on health literacy.
 

“The goal of the project is improve communication between medical professionals and patients in the DFW Metroplex,” Gayer said.  “Our project started as a small research project, and now has grown into a comprehensive 501c(3) nonprofit organization with 17 staff [members].”
 

Grayson Walker, SMU junior, is focusing his research on SMU’s current smoking policy.He and his team believe that it is out-dated.  
 

“It’s been over 10 years since anyone looked at the campus smoking policy,” Walker said.
Walker heard about Big iDeas from Dr. White and Dr. Turner, both in SMU administration, who recommended that he apply.  
 

Walker spent almost two years doing research before his project even began.  
 

“Time requirement depends on the type of the project,” Walker said. “Also, the time requirement varies according to your passion for your project.”
 

Gayer said he spends anywhere from 20-30 hours a week working on the project.
 

However, that is much more time than most projects require. 
 

“I think as long as you have a good plan and a good team, it is perfectly manageable to handle a Big iDeas project along with studies, social life, etc.,” Gayer said.
 

“The best part of the Big iDeas program is that it allows students to make an impact in their community and gain real world experience.”
 

“The learning in the classroom is important, but the Big iDeas program allows for students to gain professional experience on a level not available to the average college student,” he said.