UMass Boston

Undergraduate Students!

There are funds available to support your research & creative projects!

Application Deadline: Monday, ****November 18th, 2024 at 5pm

Research is a process of inquiry, observation, and carefully considered analysis. You can do research in many ways, from discovering how to synthesize a chemical molecule that has never existed before, to examining a poet’s use of certain kinds of words to create a specific emotion. Research requires commitment, attention, and patience, and it allows you to demonstrate your capacity to think in complex ways and to be keenly observant. The University has research funds available to help you with this task, and the application is open to undergraduate students from all majors. 

What is Undergraduate Research Funding?  

These funds provide monetary assistance to help you with expenses you may incur in doing your research, creative project, or scholarship. Categories of need for which funds may be sought include, but are not limited to, purchase of research-related books, purchase of materials or equipment for experiments, payments to human subjects, Xeroxing, equipment, travel to archives/libraries or other research sites, and travel to present projects at conferences.

Am I eligible to apply?

Degree-seeking students from all undergraduate colleges are eligible. Students are expected to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and with 60+ credits (with at least 30 of these credits secured at UMass Boston); if this is not your case, have your faculty sponsor address the issue in their recommendation letter (see below).  Students are eligible even if they have applied for undergraduate research funds in previous years. Seniors doing Honors thesis projects are especially encouraged to apply. Note that funds cannot be issued to you if you have any outstanding debts to the University.  Graduating seniors can apply, but you must submit all receipts before your official graduation date.

How much can I apply for?

Grants are typically in the $500-$1500 range, though some grants are smaller. In exceptional circumstances, grant requests totaling up to $2000 (materials and conferences in total) may be considered.

How many applications can I submit?

Students can submit more than one application (for a maximum of two applications) if they are performing two different research projects mentored by two separate faculty members.  

What expenses are not eligible for this funding? 

Examples of non-eligible funding expenses: 

• Stipends and wages 
  
• Monthly MBTA passes (Note that one-way passes for research purposes are eligible)
  
• Hardware and software purchased by the student (Note that research specific hardware and software purchased by the PI/department may be eligible)
  
• Venue/space rental
  
• Conferences that occur after a student’s graduation date

What should I do if I require these funds before the November deadline?

If you require these funds, you must submit an application at least three weeks prior to needing the funding.

How does it work if I want to use the funds for conference travel?

If you are planning to present your work at a conference, you are eligible to apply for funds to travel to that conference. You should apply for funding now, even if you don’t know whether you will be accepted by the conference(s) to present. On the application, you will be asked to estimate the costs of attending.  Keep in mind that your travel support will only be funded if your paper/ poster is accepted for presentation and only lodging, transportation and registration costs will be considered. (Funding for “per diems” for food will not be considered).

Please note: If you are applying for funds for travel (whether to a conference or to an archive or museum), proof of travel arrangements and conference registration (if applicable) are required. Keep all receipts.  

Please see the University’s COVID-19 Travel Policy.

Please see the UMass Boston controller’s webpage for information about the Travel Registration Requirements.

Should I apply for funds to travel to the Annual Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference at UMass Amherst?

There is no registration cost for the statewide conference. Therefore you should not request any funding to attend that conference.

Should I attend the Annual Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference?

Students who receive undergraduate research funds through this application process are strongly encouraged to present your results at the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference on Friday, April 18th, 2025 at UMass Amherst. More information can be found online. 

What is the application process?

The application consists of submitting the following components (as PDF files) to the undergradresearch@umb.edu email address:

• A completed application form
  
• A copy of your transcript (unofficial transcripts are fine, but no degree audits!).
  
• A recommendation letter from the faculty sponsor (your mentor for the project for which you are applying for funds), which addresses your eligibility and the merits of your research or creative project.  

How do I fill out the electronic application form?

The application forms must be completed electronically; hand-written applications will not be accepted.  To enter information into the electronic form, place your cursor in the first box, enter the information, and “tab” to the next box.

The application includes “short answer” responses.  You only need to complete the sections that apply for your application: 

• Brief Project Description (~150 words):  Your project description should be clear enough so that someone who is not in your field can understand the topic and value of your research.
  
• Budget justification: Conference expenses (~150 words):  State the name, location, and dates of the conference, and intended type of presentation (e.g. poster or talk). List estimated expenses for travel, lodging, and registration fees.  Do not include “per diems” for food.
• Budget justification: Compensation for Study Participants (~150 words):  Provide specific budget details by describing how many participants and amount of compensation each participant will receive.  If you are collaborating with another UMB student, only provide specific budget details that you will need for your part of the research. Please note that we will not award the funds until IRB approval is secured.
• Budget justification: Materials & all other expenses (~150 words):  Provide specific budget details by describing each category of expense and the anticipated dollar amount for that category. Each budget item should be clearly described and explained. You should make a convincing case for your expenses, and explain how you are being economical. For example, please explain why books must be purchased rather than borrowed from libraries, and explain why materials for laboratory experiments are not normally stocked.  

How are these funds distributed?  

Funds must be distributed no later than your graduation date (if you are a graduating senior) or by June 30th, 2025 (if you are not a graduating senior).  

Funds will be distributed in different ways, depending on the expense: 

• For conferences or purchases the student makes directly, funds will be distributed by reimbursing the student for the costs incurred. Funds will not be issued to the student until the expenses are incurred (e.g., for a conference, once the trip is completed). Itemized receipts (or other similar documentation, if applicable) will be required for reimbursement. 
  
• Funds cannot be transferred to programs or departments. For items that cannot be procured by individuals (i.e. chemicals, and other lab related supplies), awardees will be sent instructions (upon award receipt) about how your program or department can obtain accounting information. Only after obtaining accounting information can the program or department create the requisition for procurement.

It is expected that funds will be fully spent within one year from the date of the award (other than graduating seniors, who must use the funds before their graduation date).

If I want to attend a conference as part of a group, do I need to submit an individual application?

Yes, each student who wants to utilize these undergraduate research funds must submit an individual application.

How do I get additional copies of the application forms?

The form is available online.

Is there a deadline? 

Yes! The deadline is 5pm on Monday, November 18, 2024. Please email your complete application package (application form, transcript, faculty recommendation letter) as PDF files to undergradresearch@umb.edu

How are decisions made, and how will I be notified? 

All funding decisions are made by the Undergraduate Research Committee. Students and/or sponsors may be contacted by the Committee if more information is needed during the process. You will be notified of decisions by the end of finals week of the fall semester.  

If I am in CLA, can I use these funds for my CLA Undergraduate Research Portfolio?

The College of Liberal Arts has established an Undergraduate Research Portfolio program, to grow and enhance our undergraduate research experience in social sciences and humanities.   Please see this link for more information about this program

Applicants from the College of Liberal Arts are strongly encouraged to design your research as part of your Undergraduate Research Portfolio.    

What if I have other questions?

Please send an email message to undergradresearch@umb.edu