Fund Your Research

There are many opportunities to help you obtain the resources and funding you need to conduct your research as an undergraduate. These grants and funds are awarded to student researchers to fund things such as materials and travel costs.

URCO
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities (URCO) Grant Program, funded by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, was established in 1975 to support worthy independent student projects. In the summer of 2013, the program was expanded to include the summer term and allow salary to be included in budgets. In the summer of 2014, the summer program was unified, and the URCO programs’ scope and budget were expanded.

This grant requires a match from another university unit, such as your department. For the scholarship portion of the grant ($1000), this is a 25% match, or $250 for individual applicants, and for a group application by up to four students ($500 each), it is $125 each. For the research expenses portion of the grant (up to $1000 per project), the match is 50%, or up to $500. Talk to your mentor about sources of matching funds, whether from a grant, a PI, a department, or your college.
More about URCO
Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The Undergraduate Research Fellowship provides an opportunity for Utah State University students to be directly involved in research early in their collegiate careers. URFs are given a scholarship each year, as well as access to additional supports and programming. Fellows find and work with faculty mentors on research projects aligned with their interests, are frequently invited to attend or present at research conferences, and have access to research funding to support their projects and presentations. The fellowship represents the best and brightest students of USU and holds multiple socials and workshops each year to provide students a chance to interact with their peers, learn about the research conducted by others, and develop academic and professional skill sets associated with strong researchers.
More about the URF Program
Peak Summer Research Fellowship

The Peak Summer Research Fellowship is endowed by David and Terry Peak, the Peak Summer Research Fellowship funds a select cohort of highly engaged undergraduate  students in the Peaks’ colleges (the College of Science and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences) through a summer research experience. These fellows spend ten weeks actively engaging in research with faculty mentors, have access to special training and workshops, and will come out of this fellowship poised to succeed in their educational and career goals.
More about Peak Fellowships

ROWS
The Research Opportunities through Work Study (ROWS) program is a collaboration between Career Services and the Office of Research that began in 2019. The ROWS Program pairs Federal Work Study eligible students with research assistantships. The faculty mentors come from diverse departments and colleges, and their projects range from the arts and humanities to education, engineering, and basic and applied sciences. These paid research assistantships help students get involved in research when they cannot financially afford to devote so much time to research. ROWS also provides these students with some workshops to help them gain professional skills.

If you are interested in learning more about ROWS, please click the button below.
More about ROWS
Office of Research Undergraduate Student Travel Award
The Office of Research provides funds to support student travel to present research at conferences. You may request $200 for a regional conference, $300 for a national conference, or $400 for an international conference. These funds must be matched by another university unit, such as your PI, your department, or your college. Apply early, as these funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
More about the Student Travel Award
Current Research Opportunities
For additional research funding, presenting, publishing, and recruiting opportunities, see our Current Opportunities page. Browse the many local and national listings for undergraduate students to begin or advance their research projects. Content is updated regularly, so check back often for new opportunities!
Browse Current Opportunities

Research Development
Visit the Office of Research Development website for additional funding opportunities. There are many programs outside of USU that offer support to undergraduate researchers, learn about a few of them here.
More Funding Opportunities