Advanced Research Grants

There are two Towson University summer research grant experiences for undergraduate students — one for sophomores and one for advanced researchers in their junior and senior years.

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry (OURCI) also offers grants that provide rising juniors and senior students with an opportunity to pursue advanced undergraduate research projects during the 12 weeks of the summer months, with or without credit. The advanced summer research awards program seeks to emphasize:

  • individual curiosity and initiative
  • intellectual ambition
  • scholarly work conducted individually or in groups

Each project requires a TU faculty mentor. Stipends of $5,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to students whose applications demonstrate a sound conception of the proposed work and evidence of the interest and ability to complete the project successfully. Faculty mentors will receive a stipend of $500 for their work advising and overseeing the project. Based on availability of funds, a small (up to $500) budget for materials and supplies necessary to complete the project may also be supported.

Advanced Research Grants FAQ

Currently enrolled undergraduate students working toward a bachelor’s degree who will be enrolled at TU in the fall and who agree to meet all responsibilities of the award are eligible to apply.

The project may not be a class assignment though it could build from a project which originated in a regular course offering.

Students working as a group need to clearly delineate individual student roles and expected contributions. An additional paragraph describing each member of the group’s role, including faculty if it’s a faculty-led project, must be submitted with the application.

 Applications can be submitted via

Applications will include 

  • a one-paragraph project summary statement

  • narrative description of the project (indicate sources, data, materials, strategies to be used, student’s background for project preparation, schedule plan, description of the report to be provided at the end of the project) â€” limit to 1,000 words; description should be written for a general audience (not experts)

  • if funds for materials and supplies are requested, the narrative description should contain an itemized budget

  • faculty mentor letter assessing the project and student’s ability to complete it

  • evidence of IRB or IACUC approval or status (if applicable)

The summary statement and the narrative description are the most important parts of the application; compose them well with the guidance of your faculty mentor.

Applications should contain all the elements above. The students are encouraged to ask questions and may discuss drafts of their applications with the Director of Undergraduate Research. The director can be reached at the email at .

  • Applications should be submitted by March 25, 2024 via

  • Faculty mentors may submit their recommendation letters separately to by the deadline date.

The students are expected to devote at least 300 hours to the project during the summer; there are some reporting requirements as well. For a full list of conditions, please see Award Description.