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Research Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities Beyond the Department

The Department of Geography frequently receives announcements for academic grants, research competitions, and other award opportunities. This is not an exhaustive list, and students are encouraged to check out the links below in addition to the content listed on this page. Pay special attention to competition deadlines and instructions. Most grants and competitions need to be submitted with the assistance of Cierra Hall of The Ohio State University Research Foundation. Please contact Cierra no later than one month before the due date of the grant or competition.

DISCLAIMER: We do our best to ensure that the information on this site is accurate. However, please confirm with the granting institution's website or contact person to ensure the proper deadline dates and instructions.

ASC Undergraduate Research Scholarship and International Research Grant

ASC Honors Program
 
Deadline: Bi-Annually, usually September for spring semester awards and February for autumn semester awards
Undergraduate Research Scholarship: These scholarships typically range from $500 to $12,000. The funds automatically go toward the payment of the student recipient's university tuition and fees. 
 
International Research Grants for Undergraduates: These grants are meant to encourage students to engage in research in international venues with their faculty mentor. Students and/or faculty may apply for up to $4,000 for student support. Funds will generally be provided for one student per research project. 
 
Contact Info: ASC Honors Office, 100 Denney Hall. Questions can be directed to aschonors@osu.edu.
 
Requirements:
  • Be enrolled in a major program in the college of Arts and Sciences AND be earning a degree in the college of Arts and Sciences (please note: Arts majors working on a creative or research project should apply for the Arts Undergraduate Research Scholarship rather than the general URS available through this application); 
  • Have attained junior standing by time of funding; 
  • Be a potential candidate for graduation with research distinction or with honors research distinction or present evidence of work on a significant research project; 
  • NOT be graduating Spring 2024 semester; 
  • Be enrolled full-time during semesters of funding; 
  • Have an Ohio State faculty advisor with whom they work to devise and refine a proposal, and who will be responsible for overseeing the project once it is underway. 
 

NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
 
Deadline: Annually, usually late-January
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers scholarships for undergraduate students majoring in disciplines related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, or technology, and supportive of the purposes of NOAA’s programs and mission. Over 100 students are selected each year for participation in the Ernest F. Hollings scholarship program. The scholarship includes support for two years of undergraduate study and a paid summer internship at a NOAA facility across the country. For more information about the Hollings scholarship, visit NOAA's website. 
 
Contact Info: StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov or 301-628-2913
 
Requirements: U.S. citizen, full-time second year student at an accredited four-year undergraduate program or third year student at a five-year program majoring in NOAA mission disciplines (atmospheric sciences, cartography, computer science, environmental science, geography, mathematics, physical science, etc. with GPA > 3.0
 

Undergraduate Research Office Grants

Undergraduate Research Office


Deadline: Annually, see website


Description: The URO provides students with a list of research funding sources, both from within and outside of Ohio State. There are grants available for students from all majors and all disciplines. Funds may be used for a variety of purposes related to the conduct of research, including travel costs, food and lodging expenses, interview or library fees, survey costs, and other expenses.


Contact Info: uro@osu.edu


Requirements: Current OSU undergraduate student

Kathryn Fuller Doctoral Fellowships

The Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund
Deadline: Until Filled
Description: Advancing Conservation through Science
For nearly 50 years, WWF has committed to delivering science-based conservation results while incorporating the latest research and innovations. As part of its commitment to advancing conservation through science, WWF established the Kathryn Fuller Doctoral Fellowships to support PhD students working on issues of exceptional importance and relevance to conservation in one of the WWF-US priority places.
The Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund will support doctoral research in the following three areas. (Click on links to see suggested research topics.)

Benefits
As part of their awards, Fuller Doctoral Fellows receive:

  • either $15,000 or $20,000 allocated over a period of up to 2 years to cover research expenses*
  • opportunities to link doctoral research to WWF global conservation efforts
  • networking opportunities with other Fuller Fellows, WWF scientists, and employees

*Fuller Doctoral Fellows receive either $15,000 or $20,000 depending on the location of their research and home university. Fellows with field research based in a WWF priority place outside the country of their universities are eligible to receive $20,000. Fellows with field research based within the country of their home universities are eligible to receive $15,000. Fuller Fellowships may be used to cover allowable research-related expenses. (See section on eligible and ineligible expenses.)

Eligibility

  • All applicants must be currently enrolled in an academic program leading to a doctoral degree in a conservation-related field and must have completed at least one year of course work.
  • Applicants must have at least two years of work experience in conservation.
  • Applicants must propose research in one of the three topics listed above that has direct implications for conservation in one of WWF's priority places.
  • Individuals who are currently WWF Train Fellows may not receive a Fuller Fellowship. Applicants may apply to both programs simultaneously, if they are eligible for both, but cannot receive both fellowships from WWF.
  • WWF staff, directors, and their immediate family members are not eligible for Fuller Fellowships.

Selection
Fuller Fellows are selected through a competitive, merit-based process. Eligible candidates must submit a completed application form along with two letters of recommendation and other supporting documents to WWF by the application deadline. An interdisciplinary panel of experts is convened to review applications and to identify top candidates based on the following criteria:
Applicant's ability, accomplishments, and potential to become a leader in their field
Scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research proposal
Relevance of research to conservation practice in general and WWF's mission and programs in particular
Preference will be given to individuals proposing research in their country of origin

For questions or further information, please contact fullerfund@wwfus.org.

International Affairs Grant

Office of International Affairs


Deadline: Annually, usually mid-February


Description: The purpose of the Office of International Affairs faculty and student grant competition is to promote the understanding of foreign countries, cultures, and peoples through academic study.


Grants will be given for projects that explore the languages, cultures, arts, politics, economy, or socio-demographic aspects of a foreign region. Proposals addressing global issues are also eligible if these issues are explored in a regional context. This includes, for example, proposals about public health, public policy, and climate change.
Contact Info: oiastudentgrant@osu.edu


Requirements: Current OSU student or faculty

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Each year, multiple opportunities become available for graduate and undergraduate students to participate in research. Often these opportunities are connected to a larger, ongoing initiative that supports the research of our faculty, but students are also encouraged to pursue their own research interests.

Check with your advisor or the faculty research lead to determine if you are eligible for any of the projects listed.

  • OSU Undergraduate Research Office
    Description: The URO provides resources for undergraduate students at any stage of their research process - from figuring out what research actually is to finding a faculty advisor and funding sources to presenting your research at a national conference.
    Application deadline: Varies, see website
    Contact info: uro@osu.edu
    Location: Varies, opportunities are available around the globe
  • NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
    Description: Full-time summer research positions funded by the National Science Foundation for students interested in a variety of mathematical and scientific fields, including Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, CIS and Engineering, Department of Defense, Earth Sciences, International Science, Ocean Sciences, Polar Programs, and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences.
    Application deadline: varies, but usually around January-Feburary each year
    Location: varies; located at colleges and universities across the country

  • Santa Fe Institute Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
    Description: Full-time summer research positions for students interested in computer science (CS), pure and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, quantitative biology, and social science. This REU aims to build your capacity for computational and mathematical modeling and train you within a group to build a wide range of skills.
    Application deadline: 01-04-2016
    Program Contact: Juniper Lovato, education@santafe.edu, (505) 946-2726
    Website: To apply, go to the Santa Fe Institute website
    Location: Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM

  • Summer Research Initiative at the University of Maryland, College Park
    Description: 8-week summer reasearch program designed to help underrepresented minority students pursue graduate degrees in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences.
    Application deadline: 02-10-2016
    Program Contact: BSOS Summer Research Initiative; bsossri@umd.edu; 301-405-1679
    Website: To apply, go to the Summer Research Initiative website
    Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD

  • Wildlands Studies Program offered through California State University, Monterey Bay
    Description: Field study experiences designed specifically for undergrads with no prior research experience; students can earn 4-12 credit hours while conducting field research at locations across the globe
    Application deadline: Rolling, but usually one year before project date begins
    Program Contact: wildlands@wildlandsstudies.com or call 1-(831) 684-9999
    Website: Wildlands Studies Program
    Location: Multiple locations around the world

How Can the Research Commons Help You?

  • Are you looking for the tools and training that can assist you in navigating the research lifecycle?
  • Do you want to connect with experts from across campus who can support your research at any stage?
  • Would you like to meet and collaborate with researchers in other disciplines?

Then the Research Commons is for you!  Explore the services and resources that support Ohio State researchers by clicking on the phases of the research lifecycle below, connect with experts who can assist you with your specific needs, and browse our list of upcoming events.