Funding

Acquiring funding is part of the research process. Faculty diligently search and compete for limited resources. To help with the process, consider the following suggestions:

• Each undergraduate college receives funding from the Undergraduate Research Office to support student research. Refer to the College Resource page to learn about the application process for your respective college.
  
• Talk with your faculty mentor for ideas about professional organizations or agencies related to your work. Sometimes these organizations or the conference you are attending offer scholarships and grants to undergraduate students.
  
• Be prepared to “cobble” together your funding—you may not find one source to provide all of your funding. However, you might find several smaller grants that might pay for a portion of your expenses. Make sure to prepare a spreadsheet that outlines your anticipated expenses.
• Search these websites for additional funding opportunities:
  • MSU Library Grant Site focuses primarily on funding opportunities for individuals, such as financial aid or scholarships for students.
  • MSUFCU Internship Opportunity Award provides support to undergraduates participating in an unpaid internship.
  • Some of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Divisions offer student travel grants as well as other funding opportunities through Divisional Awards. MSU is a member of CUR which makes MSU undergraduates eligible for CUR services and programs.

Undergraduate Student Travel Support

Funding may be available for Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) events and programs: National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), World Congress on Undergraduate Research (WorldCUR), or Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) Advocacy Program. Please list Heather Dover as the MSU Undergraduate Research Coordinator on your NCUR, WorldCUR, or STR application. We will contact you with funding opportunities if you are selected to participate in these events.

Entrepreneurial Undergraduate Research

The Gerstacker Foundation Entrepreneurial Grant Program is an opportunity for undergraduate students from the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines to compete for funding for a research concept with entrepreneurial potential. Students will develop a concept, conduct the research, and present their findings with the goal of getting their concept into use or production. Interested students should contact Paul Jaques, Director of Student and Community Engagement at Spartan Innovations, by email pjaques@spartaninnovations.org or call 517-884-4548. For more detailed program information visit The Hatch.

Undergraduate Research Education Abroad Program Scholarship

The Office of Undergraduate Education and the Office for Education Abroad provides financial support for undergraduate MSU students to participate in approved accredited study abroad programs that have an undergraduate research component. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher at the time of application and have applied for a research study abroad program.

To be considered, submit your application and essay to the MSU Office for Education Abroad by the following application deadlines:

• October 15 for spring programs
• February 15 for summer & fall and academic year programs
  

Scholarships of $500 will be awarded to recipients chosen by a scholarship review committee. For spring program applicants, winners will notified in early November. Winners will be announced in early April for summer, fall and academic year programs.

If you have questions about the application process or award, contact Benjamin Ladd, MSU Office for Education Abroad, laddben1@msu.edu.