Funding is awarded in multiple ways on a competitive basis to undergraduate students
engaged in research and creative activities under the mentorship of TU faculty members.
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry (URCI) Committee is guided by the
research definition given by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) to determine eligible funding projects. The CUR defines undergraduate research as “an inquiry or investigation conducted by
an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution
to the discipline.”
Available Grants
Who is eligible to apply?
Undergraduate students at TU who are enrolled in a full-time degree-seeking program.
What projects are eligible for funding?
All original scholarly and creative activity appropriate to any discipline at our
university is eligible. This includes but is not limited to research in natural and
social sciences, humanities, artistic performances and works of art.
The project must be mentored and supported by a full-time TU faculty member to be
eligible for funding.
Travel Grants
Students can be awarded an amount up to $500 to attend a (virtual!) professional meeting
or conference where the student will present the results of their work. The funds
can be used to pay for the registration fees for the meetings. To be eligible the
student must be the main presenter of the work. Group presentations will be supported,
but possibly at a reduced rate. Each group member has to submit a separate application
and a confirmation letter from the conference organizers verifying the acceptance
of the presentation. Limited funds may be available for faculty members accompanying
student presenters. Please contact ourci AT_TOWSON for information.
Apply for a travel grant as soon as you have confirmation that your presentation has
been accepted. Students are eligible to receive travel funding only once per academic
year.
Application Process
Fill out the online application form. You will need:
- proof of presentation acceptance (as a PDF)
- amount of conference registration (student rate)
- conference website address
Please apply by the 1st of the month. You and your faculty mentor will be notified
of the status of the award via TU email by the 15th of that same month.
Award Conditions
Within a month of your return, you must submit two photos from your conference to ourci AT_TOWSON. Photos will be used to promote undergraduate research and creative activity via
social media.
You are also required to present a poster at the next Research & Creative Inquiry Forum.