Summer Research Grants

Towson University offers two summer research grant experiences for undergraduate students--one for rising sophomores (TIGURS) and one for advanced researchers in the junior and senior years. 

First Year Grants

Towson Inquiry Grants for Undergraduate Research in the Summer (TIGURS) is open to students in any major who have completed their first year at TU. The program, which runs from June 19 to July 21, 2023, provides summer housing, meals, and pays a $1,500 stipend to each participant. Apply online by March 3. No prior research experience is required. 

First Year Grants FAQ

Faculty from a variety of disciplines at TU--not just STEM fields--will lead you through the research process. You can work with faculty in your major or learn a new skill.  You will get focused faculty attention as each faculty will be paired with just a few students. 

When you complete the application, you will be asked to rank your interest in the topics listed below (detailed information for each topic is included on the application). Program directors will try to match you with a professor that shares your interests even if those are outside of the listed offerings. 

  • Maternal mortality and intimate partner violence
  • Competitive youth golf
  • Positive psychology interventions
  • Global poverty and economics
  • Bacterial contamination and infections
  • Metamaterials and superconductors
  • Antibiotic resistence
  • Protein folding and function

Participating in TIGURS is a great way to learn about  undergraduate research at TU and to help push the boundaries of knowledge that will improve our world. No prior research experience is required to participate.

Students who participate in undergraduate research are more successful academically. The benefits include:

  • Building mentoring relationships with faculty.
  • Preparation for advanced undergraduate or graduatesresearch opportunties.
  • Applying for competitive scholarships and fellowships.
  • Developing the critical thinking and reasoning skills needed to for future educational and career opportunities. Undergraduate research is a high impact practice that will make you stand out in a competitive market. 

Advanced Research Grants

OURCI also offers grants that provide rising juniors and senior students with an opportunity to pursue advanced undergraduate research projects during 12 weeks of the summer months, with or without credit. The advanced summer research awards program seeks to emphasize:

  • individual curiosity and initiative
  • intellectual ambition
  • scholarly work conducted individually or in groups

Each project requires a TU faculty mentor. Stipends of $5,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to students whose applications demonstrate a sound conception of the proposed work and evidence of the interest and ability to complete the project successfully. Faculty mentors will receive a stipend of $500 for their work advising and overseeing the project. Based on availability of funds, a small (up to $500) budget for materials and supplies necessary to complete the project may also be supported.

Advanced Research Grants FAQ

Currently enrolled undergraduate students working toward a bachelor’s degree who will be enrolled at TU in the fall and who agree to meet all responsibilities of the award are eligible to apply.

The project may not be a class assignment though it could build from a project which originated in a regular course offering.

Students working as a group need to clearly delineate individual student roles and expected contributions. An additional paragraph describing each member of the group’s role, including faculty if it’s a faculty-led project, must be submitted with the application.

An application has the following elements:

  • application cover page 
  • one-paragraph project summary statement (on a separate page)
  • narrative description of the project (indicate sources, data, materials, strategies to be used, student’s background for project preparation, schedule plan, description of the report to be provided at the end of the project) — limit to 1,000 words; description should be written for a general audience (not experts) 
  • if funds for materials and supplies are requested, the narrative description should contain an itemized budget
  • faculty mentor letter assessing the project and student’s ability to complete it
  • evidence of IRB or IACUC approval or status (if applicable)

The summary statement and the narrative description are the most important parts of the application; compose them well with the guidance of your faculty mentor. 

Applications should contain all the elements above. The students are encouraged to ask questions and may discuss drafts of their applications with the Director of Undergraduate Research. The director can be reached at the email .

  • Applications should be submitted as a single PDF file emailed to by March 24, 2023.
  • Faculty mentors may submit thier recommendation letters separately to by the deadline date.

The students are expected to devote at least 300 hours to the project during the summer; there are some reporting requirements as well. For a full list of conditions, please see Award Description.