Guild Undergraduate Creative Work and Research Expense Grants

Guild Undergraduate Creative Work and Research Expense Grants are awarded by the Valparaiso University Creative Work and Research Committee (CWRC) two times a year. Funding for the grants is provided by the University Guild’s Student Research Endowment Fund.

The University Guild is an organization that was created in 1931 with the sole purpose of providing an enhanced learning experience for current Valpo students. Each year the Guild funds campus gift grants, student research grants, and scholarships.

The motivation for these awards is to enhance and facilitate undergraduate research at Valparaiso University. Annually, $10,000 will be available in support of undergraduate research.

Student Expenses:

The funds will support up to about 10 awards with a soft cap of $500 each. If awarded, students could use these funds for equipment purchases, supplies, photocopying, or other research needs or travel, meals, or lodging to present their findings at conferences.

Student travelers will be reimbursed at the per diem rate of $35 for meals and incidentals. This will be allocated:  Breakfast – $8, Lunch – $10, and Dinner – $17 for partial days. This will apply to all travel paid to or for the benefit of students.

Student applications require a letter from the faculty sponsor. Students can apply for this award more than once if the first award is for research supplies and the second, for example, is for travel to a conference to present the research findings. Funding for the second award will be contingent on completion of the research supported by the first award. Students may not obtain two awards to support their initial research.

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, evaluation criteria, and online application form are also available on the Creative Work and Research Committee website.

Eligibility:

All full-time undergraduate students are eligible. Students need to indicate their intended graduation date on the online application form. 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.

Guild Undergraduate Creative Work & Research Expense Grant Proposal Format
Guild Undergraduate Creative Work & Research Expense Grant Proposal Evaluation Rubric (PDF)
Guild Undergraduate Creative Work & Research Expense Grant Online Application Form