Undergraduate Research Club (URC)
The URC aims to raise the profile of undergraduate research and independent study and funding opportunities on campus for students of all levels and academic backgrounds.
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 definition of undergraduate research and creative inquiry given by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) to determine which projects are eligible for funding. 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.”
URCI offers four funding opportunities: the Research Impact Awards, Travel Grants, Summer Research Grant, and Summer Research Grant for beginning students. A description, timeline, and information about the application process for each award is provided below.
Undergraduate students at TU who are enrolled in a degree-seeking program with six credits or more are eligible to apply for funding that supports undergraduate research and creative activities.
All original scholarly and creative activity appropriate to any discipline at our university is eligible under this program. This includes but is not limited to, for example, 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 URCI funding.
Students can be awarded an amount up to $750 to attend a 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, transportation, lodging, and meals. 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 member of the group has to submit a separate form, and must have a confirmation letter from the conference organizers verifying that the presentation was accepted.
Please be sure to apply for a travel grant as soon as you have the confirmation that your presentation has been accepted and students are eligible to receive travel funding only once per academic year.
To apply, students should have a letter (email) from the conference organizers saying that their presentation is accepted; and students should let their faculty mentor know that they are applying for this funding. This information will be needed on the travel grant application form. Please be sure to apply for a travel grant as soon as you have the confirmation that your presentation has been accepted.
Please fill out this form.
In case there are questions, please reach out to ourci AT_TOWSON.