Funding and Grants

To increase access to research opportunities for undergraduate students, the Office of Academic Affairs awards 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 Autumn 2024 proposals is Monday, October 28. Please download  the application and use the online form to submit your materials.

Proposals selected for funding will create new undergraduate research opportunities that increase access and lower barriers to participation.

Previously Funded Projects

In the first three rounds of applications (starting in spring 2023), we awarded a total of $387,414. The successful proposals represented seven different colleges (including all three divisions of Arts & Sciences) and three different campuses. While all applications offered exciting research opportunities, successful applications generally emphasized one or more of the following components:

• A plan to create research opportunities for more than just a few undergraduates;
• A clear and feasible plan to continue to offer the research opportunity beyond just a semester or two;
• A design aimed at reducing barriers to participation.

That said, the successful proposals were quite varied. Roughly half focused on creating course-based undergraduate research opportunities. Some of the successful proposals were geared toward entry-level introductions to research, while some were geared toward advanced undergraduates. Some planned to use the seed grant to buy equipment, while others planned to pay for faculty time to develop the opportunity, and/or support undergraduate researchers directly with funding. Some applications included the promise of matching funds from a department or college; most did not, but all were strongly aligned with the goals of their respective department or college. To address sustainability of the experience, many applications included plans to leverage the seed grant and include undergraduate research opportunities in future larger grant applications, such as those offered from the National Science Foundation.  

All the applications were impressive, whether they were funded in the early rounds. The Office of Undergraduate Education will continue to invite seed-grant applications each fall and spring semester as long as funding remains available.

For any questions related to this seed grant funding program, please contact Eddie Bowles.

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 to find more information about funding for labs and faculty.