Funding for Research

Below are some funding resources, both on and off campus, related to undergraduate research and inquiry. Also make sure to check our list of upcoming deadlines for additional funding opportunities as they arise. 

In addition, if you are aware of any funding opportunities within your department that you'd like us to share here, please contact us.

Travel Grants

If you are a student researcher hoping to attend a conference to present your work, there are often associated costs for travel, lodging, and registration that you will have to come up with. Depending on your college, department, and field of study, there are funding sources both on and off campus that can help you with these costs.

The UA Honors College offers the Honors Engagement Funding, which is available for students who have been accepted to present or speak at a conference.

The Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) also offers some travel awards within specific divisions (i.e. biology, psychology, chemistry, etc.). Visit their website for more detailed information on travel grants.

Psi Chi ( The International Honor Society in Psychology) offers grants for Psychology students to travel to research conferences in spring and fall each year, as well as grants to support research in the field.

 

UA Research Scholarships and Awards

Click on the menus below to view funding opportunities.

  • Van de Verde Undergraduate Research Memorial Scholarship
    Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in a College of Science discipline that demonstrate academic excellence and professional promise. Scholarship recipients must be working cooperatively with a faculty member on a research project. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
    Award Amount: $1,500/yr. possibility of renewal by re-application

  • H.J. & Signe Bonnevie Memorial Science Scholarship
    Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who are National Merit Scholar Finalists and have indicated U of A as their first choice with a major in a scientific discipline within the College of Science. Award based on scholarship, merit, and professional potential.
    Award Amount: $1,000/yr, renewable

  • Paul G. Koch & Elsie M. Koch Memorial Scholarship
    Eligibility: Incoming freshman/graduates of Tucson/Pima County high schools majoring in scientific disciplines. Award based on scholarship, merit, and professional potential.
    Award Amount: $2,000/yr, renewable by re-application

  • Charles, Charles Jr., & Anthony Vomaska Memorial Scholarship
    Eligibility: High School graduates from Pima County with preference for Rincon High School graduates majoring in a scientific field, particularly pre-med studies. Applicants must be US citizens.
    Award Amount: $1,000, non-renewable

  • Glen W., Vanice, & Keith G. Reid Biomedical Research Scholarship
    Eligibility: This research award is made annually to, US born undergraduates or graduate students conducting research in fields of alcoholism, macular degeneration of the eye, cancer, human nutrition or allergies. Candidates must be excelling academically and making timely progress towards their degree.
    Award Amount: $1,000/yr, possibility of renewal by re-application

    Scholarships Contact:
    Cecelia Perez
    perezc@arizona.edu

    You can find more information about COS scholarships here.

  • The Cubic Corporation Scholarship
    Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in physics or applied physics, financial need is a consideration. 
    Value: Varies
     
  • The Franz Fischer Memorial Prize
    Source: Gifts from family, colleagues, and friends of the late Dr. Franz Fischer, a distinguished scientist who served in New York, Berlin, and Nuremberg before moving to Green Valley, Arizona
    Eligibility: (rotates between Astronomy, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics); outstanding junior in Physics or Applied Physics
    Value: Varies
     
  • Gregson Scholarship in Physics
    Source: A scholarship endowment established by George Gregson of Beverly Hills, California.
    Eligibility: Junior or senior students in the Department of Physics selected with an exceptional academic record; must have least a cumulative GPA of 3.5
    Value: Varies
     
  • Dr. Roger Haar Memorial Scholarship
    Source: A scholarship as a memorial to the late Dr. Roger Haar, former laboratory manager for the Department of Physics
    Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate physics major; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; financial need as determined by FAFSA
    Value: Varies
     
  • The Kenneth S. Krane Physics Scholarship Fund
    Source: A scholarship endowment established by former UA Physics undergraduate student, Kenneth S. Krane of Corvallis, Oregon.
    Eligibility: full-time undergraduate major in physics; preference to junior/senior; minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA
    Value: Varies
     
  • John A. Leavitt Experimental Physics Prize
    Source: Funded by an endowment established as a memorial to the late John A. Leavitt, Professor of Physics, 1960 to 1995.
    Eligibility: Undergraduate students who in the Physics Department's Advanced Lab Sequence completed the following four experiments: the Charge-to-Mass Ratio of a Electron, the Millikan Oil Drop Experiment, the Universal Gravitational Constant, and the Photoelectric Effect. The student selected will have the highest cumulative average score on the four experiments as determined by the laboratory supervisor.
    Value: Award recipients will receive $1,000, in the form of an unrestricted check
     
  • The Glenn C. Purviance Scholarship in Physics
    Source: A bequest from the estate of the late Glenn C. Purviance of Tucson, Arizona.
    Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who intend to major in Physics or Engineering Physics at the University of Arizona and continuing students who are majoring in Physics or Engineering Physics at the University of Arizona.
    Value: Varies
     
  • Vesto M. Slipher Scholarship
    Source: Endowment from Vesto M. Slipher, managed by JP Morgan Scholarship
    Eligibility: Award to “worthy students who are pursuing studies in science”; must be an undergraduate physics or applied physics major
    Value: Varies
     
  • Niels and Anna Thompson Scholarship in Physics Endowment
    Source: Established by Niels A. Thompson, an alumnus of the University of Arizona who earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics in 1979, Anna Thompson and gifts from friends, family, and/or the community
    Eligibility: undergraduate major in physics or applied physics; demonstrated excellence in experimental physics through research experience or experimental physics coursework; preference will be given to students who are underrepresented in physics
    Value: Varies
     
  • The Weaver Award for Undergraduate Research in Physics
    Source: a gift from retired professor of Physics Albert Weaver
    Eligibility: sophomore/junior physics major; outstanding record in physics and mathematics courses; demonstrated promise as a research scholar
    Value: Varies

    You can find more information about Physics scholarships here. 

  • Exploratory Mini-Grants
    Description: Exploratory mini-grants provide funding for students to follow their curiosity where it leads and take the sort of intellectual risks that lead to meaningful discovery and innovation. These mini-grants can fund projects inside or outside of your primary major. Studying biochemistry but have an amazing idea for a children's book? Get a grant to offset the cost of writing, publishing, and promoting it. Working toward a degree in education and have a great idea for an app? An exploratory mini-grant can provide the resources you need to get your idea off the ground. 
    Eligibility: Any W.A. Franke Honors student
    Amount: Individuals can apply for project funding, up to $5,000 per project, with the option to apply for continued funding. Teams (up to 2-5 Honor students) can apply for project funding, up to $10,000 per project. 

 

  • Antevs Scholarship Fund
    Eligibility: Graduated from any high school in Gila County, AZ; show scholastic promise; demonstrate financial need; current student in Geosciences department
    Amount: Varies
     
  • Friends of Kartchner Caverns Scholarship
    Eligibility: Be a current undergraduate or graduate student in any sub-plan or discipline within the Geosciences department.
    Amount: Varies
     
  • Ruben and Myron Winslow Scholarship
    Eligibility: Be a current undergraduate or graduate student in any sub-plan or discipline within the Geosciences department; exceptional academic ability; demonstrate financial need.
    Amount: Varies
     
  • W. Voorhees Memorial Scholarship
    Eligibility: Be a current, full-time enrolled Geosciences major; have a sophomore class standing; demonstrate financial need; minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale
    Amount: Varies
     
  • Wilson Raynor Thompson Memorial Scholarship
    Eligibility: Be a current, full-time enrolled student declared in any College of Science undergraduate degree plan; preference to be given to Geosciences B.S. Major students who express an interest in environmental studies.
    Amount: Varies
     
  • George H. Davis Undergraduate Research Fund
    Eligibility: Be a current, full-time enrolled Geosciences major; actively involved in GEOS-related research that contributes to solving geologic problems.
    Amount: Varies
     
  • Orlo E. Childs Scholarship
    Eligibility: Be a current, full-time Geosciences major; actively involved in GEOS-related research that contributes to solving geologic problems; minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale; demonstrate financial need
    Amount: Varies
     
  • Paul E. Damon Memorial Scholarship
    Eligibility: Be a current, full-time enrolled Geosciences major in any degree sub-plan and can demonstrate an interest in Geochemistry or is actively involved in Geochemistry research; minimum 2.0 GPA on 4.0 scale; demonstrate financial need
    Amount: Varies
     
  • Marie S. Pearthree Summer Research Scholarship
    Eligibility: Full-time enrolled student who will be actively conducting summer research; preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an interest in or commitment to the advancement of women in Geosciences. Additional preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an interest in or commitment to the advancement of populations who are underserved or underrepresented in Geosciences.
    Amount: Varies

    You can find more information about Geosciences scholarships here.

  • The Udall Scholarship, federally funded by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, is to support a diverse group of students united by their interest in America’s heritage: natural resource protection, conservation, and Native American policy, health, and governance. The scholarship offers up to $7,000 for tuition, room and board, or other educational expenses.
  • About the Scholarship - Who Should Apply Are you working towards positive solutions to environmental challenges or to issues impacting Indian country? Have you demonstrated your commitment to one of these areas through public service? Do you inspire and motivate others to take action? Are you committed to making a difference through civility and consensus building? If you answered “yes” to these questions, the Udall Scholarship may be right for you.
  • Tribal Policy- For Native Americans and Alaska Natives working on an array of policy issues in Indian country.
  • Native Health Care- For Native Americans and Alaska Natives pursuing health-related careers.
  • Environment- For undergraduates interested in conservation and environmental issues.
  • Contact: Valeria Quijada, Assistant Director of the Office of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships.
  • Email: valeriaq@arizona.edu