Undergraduate Research and Faculty/Student Expense Grants

These awards are sponsored by the Valparaiso University Guild. The motivation for these awards is to enhance and facilitate more undergraduate research at Valparaiso University. Annually, $10,000 will be available in support of undergraduate research: $5,000 for faculty development and support; $5,000 for student expenses.

Faculty Development: the funds will support five awards each year with a hard cap of $1,000 each. If awarded, faculty can use these funds:

1. To develop new courses that incorporate undergraduate research,
2. To enact curricular revisions that enhance undergraduate research on campus,
3. To initiate innovative plans to stimulate undergraduate research across programs or departments, and/or,
4. To cover expenses and modest stipends associated with such courses and projects.

The deadline for spring semester grants is the last week of November. The deadline for summer and fall semester grants is the last week of February.  Specific dates can be found on the Creative Work and Research Committee's deadlines web page. Details about the proposal format and application cover sheet are also available on the Creative Work and Research Committee website.

Eligibility: All faculty on continuing appointments, and part-time faculty who have taught at VU for three years, and have reasonable expectations of teaching at VU in the following academic year (approval signature is required for part-time faculty) are eligible.  Anyone with Lecturer status must provide documentation of continuing employment at VU.

All full-time undergraduate students are eligible.  Students need to indicate their intended graduation date on the application cover sheet.  If a student receives a grant for summer research and he/she plans to graduate in May, the student must be registered for summer courses. 

Undergraduate Research Proposal Format

Undergraduate Research Grant application cover sheet