Office of Academic Enrichment Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry

Funding

Grant Opportunity for Undergraduate Research Programs

To increase access to research opportunities for undergraduate students, the Office of Academic Affairs will award seed funding up to $10,000 to support faculty in developing and launching undergraduate research experiences at The Ohio State University.  As a national leader in undergraduate education at a public research university, the Office of Undergraduate Education’s (OUE) goal is for every Ohio State undergraduate to participate in transformational high-impact learning experiences, such as undergraduate research. Undergraduate research is critical for students who wish to pursue graduate education. OUE aims to recognize and support faculty more fully in their efforts to create these opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY
Ohio State faculty from all campuses are invited to submit seed grant applications for up to $10,000 each. The deadline for Spring 2023 proposals has passed, information on future award dates will be shared when it is available. Please download the application and use the online form to submit your materials.

Proposals selected for funding will create new undergraduate research opportunities with logical design and clear plans for development and launch. Successful proposals will include a plan for unit-level support and sustainability beyond the initial seed funding period. OUE especially encourages proposals that minimize barriers for underrepresented and under-resourced students. 

Scalable and sustainable undergraduate research opportunities might take the form of group-based experiences, for example, in which a cohort of students works together on a research project or question. Flexible time commitments from students (from a single afternoon or weekend morning to a week-long, month-long, or semester-long commitment) might increase access. Likewise, participation modalities might include online as well as in-person options. Credit-bearing opportunities might range from one-credit research methods seminars to four-credit GE integrative practice courses. Research experiences might be designed to complement paid internships or jobs.

 

Additional Funding Opportunities

Funding for Undergraduate Students

There are many scholarships, fellowships, and small grants (listed on our Funding Opportunities page) which students can apply for to support their independent research projects. Generally, these types of monetary support are given directly to the student and not to the faculty advisor.

Funding for Mentors

UR&CI can support faculty grant applications with a letter of collaboration. We can strengthen your application by outlining the commitment and resources that Ohio State dedicates to its undergraduate researchers, as well as confirm that our office can help to recruit undergraduate researchers for your project. To request a letter, email ugresearch@osu.edu.

Please visit the Office of Research(opens in new window) to find more information about funding for labs and faculty.