Student Grants for Research and Creative Projects

Undergraduate Advising and Research sponsors several types of grants designed to support rigorous, independent scholarship in all disciplines. Students undertaking research or creative projects in any field (including the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts) are eligible for this funding.  These grants vary in their duration and budget, but they adhere to the same eligibility requirements, application procedures and other administrative policies.

Before seeking project funding, students should consider the grant types that best match their project. 

• All projects in all disciplines may make use of a Small Grant.
• Full time projects over the summer may benefit most from either a Major Grant (for students initiating an Honors Thesis) or a Chappell Lougee Scholarship (for sophomores undertaking a project in the social sciences, humanities, or arts).
• Once a project has come to fruition, students may need further financial support for a public presentation of their project results.  Students should consider a Conference Grant (for presentations at national or international scholarly meetings and conferences) or an Angel Grant (for the production and display or performance of creative work on or off campus).

 After identifying the most appropriate grant type, and at least one quarter prior to the grant deadline of interest, students should familiarize themselves with grant application procedures and ensure that all required materials are in progress.  All materials must be submitted to UAR via the Grant Application Portal by 11:59 p.m. on the relevant deadline date.

For more details and application procedures, see Applying for Research Grants.  

Small Grants

• Small Grants provide for smaller independent student projects (including preliminary or exploratory work) and follow-up expenses associated with larger projects.
• Applications are due several times throughout the academic year:
  • October 1, 2012
  • November 2, 2012
  • December 3, 2012
  • January 7, 2013
  • February 1, 2013
  • March 1, 2013
  • April 1, 2013
  • May 1, 2013
• Budget limit is $1500.
• Grant decisions are available around 15 working days from the application deadline.
• How to Apply

Back to Top

Angel Grants

• Angel Grants assist students in producing a finished public creative work such as a visual exhibit, film, stage production, or concert. Material expenses, such as venue or equipment rental, costumes, photocopying of scripts or scores, display costs for art work, or publicity can be considered; compensation of performers is not allowed.
• Applications can be submitted at any Small Grant deadline, described above.
• $3,000 budget limit
• How to Apply

Back to Top

Major Grants

• Major Grants support substantial, in-depth projects that normally include a full-time summer commitment, and that demonstrate focused, intellectually rigorous perspectives on the topics at hand.
• Almost all Major Grants are awarded to students beginning an honors thesis between their junior and senior years.
• Applications are due March 1, 2013
• Apply for IRB approval of your Human Subjects protocol at the latest by March 1, 2013 if your project involves contact with humans.
• Budget limit is $6000; budget may include a stipend.
• How to Apply

Back to Top

Chappell Lougee Scholarships

• Chappell Lougee Scholarships are designed for sophomores pursuing in-depth projects in the humanities, creative arts, and qualitative social sciences. Projects are full-time summer commitments. Recipients become members of a scholarly mentoring community. This includes special events, preparing for a capstone project or honors, fellowships and graduate school advising.
• Applications are due January 14, 2013.
• Budget limit is $6000; budget may include a stipend.
• Grant decisions are available beginning of February
• Click here for a program overview
• How to Apply

Back to Top

Conference Grants

• Conference grants support students who are invited to lead the presentation of their independent work at a professional or scholarly conference. Travel to student-run conferences, conferences primarily for students, or to attend conferences (but not give presentations) is not funded.
• The grant can help fund travel expenses to and from the conference, as well as normal conference registration. Students demonstrating financial need may also include conference-associated food and lodging in their budget.
• Applications are due at each of the Small Grant deadlines, described above.
• Budget limit is $1500; frequently the grant will be offered to match support provided by the faculty mentor.
• How to Apply

Back to Top

Storytelling Grants

• Storytelling Grants are not administered by UAR, and are not subject to the guidelines or requirements described above for other grants.  For more information about Storytelling Grants, contact the Stanford Storytelling Project.
• This grant is designed to support undergraduates interested in: (1) researching oral traditions or (2) creating an oral history of a group or institution
• Applications are due March 1st, April 1st, and May 1st, 2012
• Budget limit is $3000