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Small Grant

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Student researching bird's wing

 

Small Grants support smaller independent student-driven projects, and can also be used to enable a particular phase of a larger-scale effort.

Timeline

Application Cycles: Autumn 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024
Next Application Deadline: Friday, April 12, 2024, 11:59 PM (PST) 
Faculty Mentor Letter Deadline: Friday, April 19, 2024, 11:59 (PST)
Project Execution: 23-24 Academic Year (Note: Undergraduate Research does *not* award retroactive funding)
Stipend: Up to $1,500

  • Application deadlines are quarterly.  You should plan to apply for funding *at least one quarter in advance* of your project's start date. Project activities must reflect future project activities; for example, Autumn Small Grants largely fund project activities to be completed in Winter or Spring quarter. We do not fund projects retroactively.
    • Autumn deadline: Friday, October 6, 2023
    • Winter deadline: Friday, January 19, 2024
    • Spring deadline: Friday, April 12, 2024
  • Decisions are typically made within 6 weeks, and funding is disbursed approximately 3 weeks from award announcements

Where to Start

Application Guidelines

  • For the proposal:
    • Small Grant proposals should not exceed a word count of 1,500.
      • The proposal summary, reference list, and appendices do not count toward the word count.
    • Read through the Writing a Project Proposal site for specific guidelines on how to write a grant proposal. 
  • Additional materials (to be submitted along with proposal):
    • Human Subjects Research - IRB protocol submission: If you are doing a project involving interviewing, observing, or otherwise working with human subjects, you must determine if your project requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) review.  You must upload proof that you submitted your IRB protocol in your grant application in order for your proposal to be considered. Federal law and Stanford University Policy require IRB approval before human subjects research can begin.
    • Animal Subjects Research - one-paragraph appendix: If your research involves animal subjects of any kind (vertebrate or invertebrate), you must include an Animal Subjects Research Appendix in your application. Federal law and Stanford University policy require APLAC/IACUC approval before animal subjects research can begin. Click here to read more about the Animal Subjects requirement.
    • Field contact letter: For students partnering with off-campus organizations for their projects (e.g. archives, hospitals, nonprofits, community organizations), you must submit a brief letter of support from your field contact to demonstrate that you have established communication and are equipped to execute the project with their support.
      • Field Contact letters should be a brief note (screenshot of email correspondence is fine) that includes the following:
        1. Date of correspondence
        2. Indicates access to a research resource and clearly states what that resource is
        3. Contact information of your primary contact
      • Students with multiple field contacts: Only one letter is required, but note that the Review Committee may request additional letters at the time of review
    • International Travel Safety Plan: A project or conference that involves international travel is required to have an International Travel Safety Plan. It must be included as an appendix in the grant proposal. For instructions on completing the travel plan, go to our International Travel webpage.
  • Read through the Go Apply site for more detailed information on the application materials you will need to assemble.  Applicable links are as follows:

Small Grant Policies & Eligibility

  • **In addition to the below criteria specific to the Small Grant, all undergraduate students must meet our general eligibility requirements.** 
  • Time commitment: Students enrolled in classes full time (at least 12 units) are eligible for Small Grants, as long as projects take no more than 10 hours per week (equivalent to a 3-unit course)
  • Participation in a part-time project by an unenrolled student does not make them eligible to live on campus
  • Students may not receive both academic units and a stipend for any single project activity.
  • Co-terms who have not conferred their undergraduate degree may apply if the project fits into their undergraduate academic trajectory, e.g., honors thesis, capstone project, etc. Students paying graduate tuition are ineligible.

Fundamental Standard

  • Please note violations of Undergraduate Research policies are also violations of the Fundamental Standard and may be referred to the Office of Community Standards
  • Students who fail to abide by the policies as set forth by Undergraduate Research, The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, and Stanford University will have low priority for future Undergraduate Research funding opportunities
  • Undergraduate Research reserves the right to rescind funding at any given point and time should they be apprised of any policy violations as outlined above or as listed on the Eligibility Requirements webpage

Did you meet all the eligibility requirements? If so:

Apply Now!